We were recently asked to put more Pontic dialect lessons on our website to help people learn more about the dialect. So we decided to include the following 10 Pontic phrases which have been translated to both Greek and English in the following sequence: Πον - Ελλ - Pon - Eng
(Πον) Καλημέρας επέρασεν απο παν' ατ.
(Ελλ) Καλές μέρες τον έχουν περάσει.
(Pon) Kalimeras eperasen apo pan' at.
(Eng) His good days have passed him by.
Meaning: He is no longer a good person. His better days have passed him by.
(Πον) Η κοιλία μ' εγέντον λαμνίν.
(Ελλ) Η κοιλιά μου έγινε σαν λεπτό μαχαιράκι.
(Pon) I kilia m' eyenton lamnin.
(Eng) My stomach has turned into/feels like a small knife.
Meaning: I am hungry.
(Πον) Έρουξες α'σο άλογο σ'.
(Ελλ) Έπεσες απ'το άλογό σου.
(Pon) Eroukses aso alogos.
(Eng) You fell off your horse.
Meaning: Expression towards an arrogant person. You fell off your high-horse.
(Πον) Κύριε, Χριστέ μ' σ'όνεμα σ'.
(Ελλ) Κύριε, Χριστέ μου στο όνομά σου.
(Pon) Kirie, Christe m' s' onemas.
(Eng) Lord, Christ in your name.
Meaning: An expression used to bless something.
(Πον) 'Μω την πίστη σ'.
(Ελλ) Σε καλό σου (έκπληξη) την πίστη σου.
(Pon) 'Mo tin pisti s'.
(Eng) My oh my your belief!
Note: Although the word 'Mo, which comes from the word 'Gamo' or to 'procreate' or 'wed',
is used in a derogatory way to say 'fuck' or 'screw', in the above
context it is used to express surprise or amazement. Another example is 'Mo se, nto
les' which translates to 'My oh my, what are you saying'.
(Πον) Η λαλίαν ατ' κ'εβγέν.
(Ελλ) Η φωνή του δεν βγαίνει.
(Pon) I lalian at k'evyen.
(Eng) His voice doesn't transcend/can't be heard.
Meaning: Term used to describe someone who is shy.
(Πον) Εγομώθεν η γούλα μ'.
(Ελλ) Γέμισε ο λαιμός μου.
(Pon) Egomothen i goula m'
(Eng) My throat has filled up.
Meaning: Term used when someone is crying.
(Πον) Εκόπεν το νεφέσι μ'.
(Ελλ) Κόπηκε η αναπνοή μου.
(Pon) Εkopen to nefesi m'.
(Eng) I'm out of breath.
Meaning: I'm panting, out of breath.
(Πον) Σι βουδ το κέρατον.
(Ελλ) Στου βοδιού το κέρατο.
(Pon) Si vouth to keraton.
(Eng) To the bull's horn.
Meaning: Term used to describe an unpleasant location or situation.
eg. Where are you going? To the bull's horn.
(Πον) Κοσαρί αρρώστειαν εsh'.
(Ελλ) Της κότας αρρώστεια έχει.
(Pon) Kosari arostian esh.
(Eng) He/she/it has the chicken's illness.
Meaning: Expression to describe someone suffering from an imaginary illness.
See also: Dialect Lesson #1