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.

Derived terms

• φτου σου (ftou sou, “shame on you”) (synonym: ντροπή σου (ntropí sou)) & "ptooey"
• φτου ξελευτερία (ftou xeleftería)

Related terms

• see: φτύνω (ftýno, “spit”)