Greek · Frustration & Fate
ξεφτίλα
xeftíla
ksef-TEE-lah · /ksefˈti.la/
A total disgrace / an embarrassment / pathetic.
coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances
Literally
"humiliation / disgrace"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
A word Greeks reach for constantly to condemn something shameful or pathetic — bad service, a rigged system, a humiliating performance. "Ξεφτίλα!" thrown at the TV during a political scandal is a daily ritual. "Ξεφτιλίστηκα" = I was humiliated / made a fool of myself; a "ξεφτίλας" is a person with no shame or dignity. Bar-safe 2, more contempt than vulgarity. It captures a very Greek preoccupation with dignity and its loss.
Heard in the wild
Μας άφησαν δύο ώρες στο τηλέφωνο. Ξεφτίλα!
They left us on hold for two hours. What a disgrace!
Where it lands
Greece (mainland); understood in Cyprus
Quick answers
- What does "ξεφτίλα" mean?
- In Greek, "ξεφτίλα" means "A total disgrace / an embarrassment / pathetic.". Literally it's "humiliation / disgrace". A word Greeks reach for constantly to condemn something shameful or pathetic — bad service, a rigged system, a humiliating performance. "Ξεφτίλα!" thrown at the TV during a political scandal is a daily ritual. "Ξεφτιλίστηκα" = I was humiliated / made a fool of myself; a "ξεφτίλας" is a person with no shame or dignity. Bar-safe 2, more contempt than vulgarity. It captures a very Greek preoccupation with dignity and its loss.
- Is "ξεφτίλα" offensive?
- It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
- How do you pronounce "ξεφτίλα"?
- Say it "ksef-TEE-lah" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ksefˈti.la.
Related in Greek
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