How do you pronounce "πούστης"?

Say it "POO-steess" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ˈpu.stis.

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cursing.in curse like a local

Greek · Words You'll Hear But Must Never Say

πούστης

poústis

POO-steess · /ˈpu.stis/

A homophobic slur, also used loosely as 'scumbag/sneak.' You'll hear it constantly; never say it.

5/5 Do not deploy

nuclear/taboo — comprehension only, never recommended

Literally

"(homophobic slur, from Ottoman-era Turkish 'puşt')"

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. This is a homophobic slur, and no amount of casual local use changes that. You will hear it everywhere — thrown between straight men as generic abuse ("ο πούστης με κορόιδεψε," the sneak tricked me), in the phrase "πούστη μου" as startled exasperation, even self-deprecatingly. That ubiquity is a trap: it is still a slur against gay men, and from a visitor's mouth it is genuinely offensive with no friendly reading available. Comprehension-only, severity 5. Understand it when you hear it; keep it entirely out of your own speech.

Heard in the wild

[Common in angry local speech; listed for comprehension only.]

[A slur you'll hear often — understand it, never repeat it.]

Where it lands

Greece & Cyprus (universal); a slur despite its casual local frequency

Quick answers

What does "πούστης" mean?: In Greek, "πούστης" means "A homophobic slur, also used loosely as 'scumbag/sneak.' You'll hear it constantly; never say it.". Literally it's "(homophobic slur, from Ottoman-era Turkish 'puşt')". We're telling you so you understand it, not so you say it. This is a homophobic slur, and no amount of casual local use changes that. You will hear it everywhere — thrown between straight men as generic abuse ("ο πούστης με κορόιδεψε," the sneak tricked me), in the phrase "πούστη μου" as startled exasperation, even self-deprecatingly. That ubiquity is a trap: it is still a slur against gay men, and from a visitor's mouth it is genuinely offensive with no friendly reading available. Comprehension-only, severity 5. Understand it when you hear it; keep it entirely out of your own speech.
Is "πούστης" 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 "πούστης"?: Say it "POO-steess" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ˈpu.stis.

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. γύφτος gýftos YEEF-toss An ethnic slur for Roma people, also used loosely for 'stingy/uncouth.' Comprehension-only. αράπης arápis ah-RAH-peess A dated, offensive racial term for a Black person. Comprehension-only — never say it. 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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