How Do You Translate Philotimo? The BBC Tackles Greek’s Trickiest Words

BBC radio recently took on the task of translating two Greek concepts notoriously difficult to render in other languages: philotimo and philoxenia.


BBC radio has come up with English translations of the Greek words “philotimo” and “philoxenia,” traditionally considered as the hardest concepts to render in foreign languages.

Philotimo translates as “love of honor,” the report said, adding that the concept, considered to be the top of all Greek virtues, is used to express the importance of respecting and honoring one’s friends and family. “The term essentially means doing good and demonstrating exemplary behavior.”

 

According to the same report, philoxenia is a love of strangers and guests to the home, and is literally translated as “friend to the stranger.”

According to BBC radio, the word “means far more than just an eagerness to show hospitality or a warm welcome.”

The list, which included more love-inspired words from around the world, was made on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.

This article was originally published on ekathimerini.com



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