φτου

Greek

Etymology

Onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ftu/

Interjection

1. 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)