δυσ-
dys-
G1418
SILEX Entry
Definition
A prefix indicating badness, difficulty, or something unfavorable; when attached to verbs, adjectives, or nouns, it conveys a sense of hardship, difficulty, trouble, malfunction, unpleasantness, or disadvantage. The nuance can include that which is hard to bear, grievous, adverse, or faulty.
Semantic Range
bad, ill, hard, difficult, grievous, lacking, faulty, adverse, disadvantageous, unpleasant, unlucky, unfavorable
Root / Etymology
Etymology uncertain; δυσ- is a primary inseparable prefix in Greek, often opposed to εὖ- (well, good). The exact origins of the prefix are unclear, but it is widely attested from early Greek onward.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Δυσ- appears in Greek from the Homeric period onward as a consistent prefix denoting negative quality, difficulty, or adversity. It typically appears only in compound words (e.g., δυσκολία - difficulty, δυστυχής - unfortunate, δυσημερία - misfortune) and is not used independently. The prefix is common in both secular and religious Greek literature, including the Septuagint and New Testament, though often such compounds are rare in biblical texts compared to mainstream Koine usage. Δυσ- compounds frequently contrast with compounds formed with εὖ- (well, good; e.g., εὐτυχής - fortunate). English translations often render these compounds with 'ill-', 'mis-', 'difficult-', or 'hard-', but not all nuances are easily captured by a single English equivalent. The prefix also served as a productive way to create new negative or pejorative meanings in post-classical and technical Greek (medical, philosophical, etc.).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary inseparable particle of uncertain derivation; used only in composition as a prefix; hard, i.e. with difficulty:--+ hard, + grievous, etc.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.