αλάνα

Greek

Etymology

From αλάνι n (aláni) +‎ -α (-a). Derived from Ottoman Turkish آلاڭ (alañ).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aˈlana/
• Hyphenation: α‧λά‧να

Noun

αλάνα • (alána) f (plural αλάνες)

1. (colloquial) vacant lot, empty lot (plot of land that hasn't been built on)

   Τα παιδιά παίζουν ποδόσφαιρο στην αλάνα.

   Ta paidiá paízoun podósfairo stin alána.

   The children play football in the vacant lot.

2. (colloquial, derogatory, by extension) Augmentative of αλάνης (alánis, “bum, tramp, lout”) (person who lives, or spends most of his time, in the streets or in the above lot)

   Έχουν μαζευτεί όλες οι αλάνες της γειτονιάς και κάνουν θόρυβο.

   Échoun mazefteí óles oi alánes tis geitoniás kai kánoun thóryvo.

   All the louts of the neighbourhood have gathered and are making noise.

Declension

Declension of αλάνα

	singular	plural
nominative	αλάνα •	αλάνες •
genitive	αλάνας •	αλανών •
accusative	αλάνα •	αλάνες •
vocative	αλάνα •	αλάνες •
The genitive plural is awkward.

Alternative forms

• (vacant lot): αλάνι n (aláni) (dated, obsolete)

Related terms

• αλάνης m (alánis, “carefree man of the streets”)
• αλανιάρης (alaniáris, “carefree man of the streets, bum”, adjective)
• αλάνικος (alánikos, “loutish”)

• and see: αλάνι n (aláni)