φτου

Greek

Etymology

Onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ftu/

Interjection

φτου • (ftou)

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 (baskanía)) 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”)