φτου
Greek
Etymology
Onomatopoeic.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ftu/
Interjection
φτου • (ftou)
- ptui, ptooey (the sound of spitting)
- Φτου, ατυχία.
- Ftou, atychía.
- Damn it, what bad luck.
- Φτου σου.
- Ftou sou.
- Shame on you.
- Φτου, μια απαίσια μυρωδιά.
- Ftou, mia apaísia myrodiá.
- Ew, what a horrible smell.
- Φτου σου να μη σε ματιάσω.
- Ftou sou na mi se matiáso.
- Ptooey, so you don't get the evil eye.
Usage notes
The sound is used by Greeks to express disappointment, disgust, or to ward off the evil eye (βασκανία (vaskanía)) when a compliment is given to someone. This term is also used in regards to tagging in the children's game hide-and-go-seek.
Derived terms
- φτου σου (ftou sou, “shame on you”) (synonym: ντροπή σου (ntropí sou)) & "ptooey"
- φτου ξελευτερία για όλους (ftou xeleftería gia ólous, “all the hiders can return without being tagged; come out, come out, wherever you are or olly, olly, oxen free”) (in the children's game hide-and-go-seek)
- φτου και βγαίνω (ftou kai vgaíno, “ready or not, here I come”) (in the children's game hide-and-go-seek)
Related terms
- see: φτύνω (ftýno, “spit”)