φτου
Greek
Etymology
Pronunciation
Interjection
- ptui, ptooey, ptew, ptui (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. ― Pooey, 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) when a compliment is given to someone.
Derived terms
- φτου σου (ftou sou, “shame on you”) (synonym: ντροπή σου (ntropí sou)) & "ptooey"
- φτου ξελευτερία (ftou xeleftería)