kopos

Kopos (Greek: κόπος) is a noun in the Greek language that denotes toil, labor, effort, or trouble. In Ancient Greek, κόπος referred to the exertion involved in performing a task and could imply hardship or fatigue resulting from labor. It appears in classical literature to describe both physical labor and mental exertion and may carry ethical or existential nuance depending on context. In many passages it signals the costs or burdens associated with action.

In Modern Greek, kopos retains the core sense of effort and is used in everyday speech to express the exertion required by a task or a challenging situation. A common expression is με κόπο, meaning “with effort” or “with difficulty.” The term also appears in idiomatic phrases that emphasize perseverance, endurance, or the burdens of striving.

Etymology and related terms: The word κόπος originates in Ancient Greek and has continued into Modern Greek with a similar meaning. It sits within a semantic field that includes physical and mental exertion, and is often contrasted with or linked to πόνος (pónos), meaning pain or labor, and with terms for work or activity in Greek.

Cultural and linguistic notes: Kopos is a basic lexical item for describing the exertion required to achieve goals, and it provides nuance to narratives of effort, hardship, and perseverance in Greek literature and discourse.

See also: πόνος, εργασία, πόνος (pain) and ergon (work).