How do you pronounce "αράπης"?

Say it "ah-RAH-peess" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: aˈra.pis.

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Greek · Words You'll Hear But Must Never Say

αράπης

arápis

ah-RAH-peess · /aˈra.pis/

A dated, offensive racial term for a Black person. Comprehension-only — never say it.

5/5 Do not deploy

nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended

Literally

"(dated racial term for a Black person, from Arabic 'ʿarab')"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

We're telling you so you understand it, not so you say it. "Αράπης" is a dated and offensive racial term for a Black person. Older speakers may still use it without registering the offense, and it lingers fossilized in some product names and folk expressions — but it is firmly a slur in contemporary Greek, and the neutral term is "μαύρος" or the person's actual nationality. Severity 5, comprehension-only. Recognize it if an older person says it; never adopt it yourself. Do not deploy.

Heard in the wild

[May be heard from older speakers; listed for comprehension only.]

[A dated racial slur — understand it, never repeat it.]

Where it lands

Greece & Cyprus; dated/offensive, comprehension-only

Quick answers

What does "αράπης" mean?: In Greek, "αράπης" means "A dated, offensive racial term for a Black person. Comprehension-only — never say it.". Literally it's "(dated racial term for a Black person, from Arabic 'ʿarab')". We're telling you so you understand it, not so you say it. "Αράπης" is a dated and offensive racial term for a Black person. Older speakers may still use it without registering the offense, and it lingers fossilized in some product names and folk expressions — but it is firmly a slur in contemporary Greek, and the neutral term is "μαύρος" or the person's actual nationality. Severity 5, comprehension-only. Recognize it if an older person says it; never adopt it yourself. Do not deploy.
Is "αράπης" offensive?: Yes — very. It rates 5/5 on the Punch-o-Meter (Do not deploy). nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended. Read the usage note before you even think about it.
How do you pronounce "αράπης"?: Say it "ah-RAH-peess" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: aˈra.pis.

Related in Greek

γαμώ την Παναγία σου gamó tin Panagía sou ghah-MOH teen pah-nah-YEE-ah soo The nuclear Greek blasphemy — sexualizing the Virgin against a person. You will hear it; never say it. γαμώ το Χριστό σου gamó to Christó sou ghah-MOH toh khree-STOH soo Nuclear blasphemy aimed at Christ. Comprehension-only — never say it. πούστης poústis POO-steess A homophobic slur, also used loosely as 'scumbag/sneak.' You'll hear it constantly; never say it. γύφτος gýftos YEEF-toss An ethnic slur for Roma people, also used loosely for 'stingy/uncouth.' Comprehension-only. μαλάκας malákas mah-LAH-kahss Asshole / idiot — OR — dude / mate. The single most important word in Greek. βλάκας vlákas VLAH-kahss Idiot / fool / dummy.

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