Sappho Meaning in English

word

US

ˈsæfoʊ

SAF-oh

UK

ˈsæfəʊ

SAF-oh

Definition

Sappho was an ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos, famous for her lyric poetry about love and women. Her works and name are often linked to female same-sex love in literature.

Usage & Nuances

Usually used in literary, academic, or LGBTQ+ contexts. 'Sappho' also inspired the term 'sapphic' for female-female love/desire. Less commonly a given name today.

• Spanish: Safo
• Portuguese (BR): Safo
• Portuguese (PT): Safo
• Chinese (Simplified): 萨福
• Chinese (Traditional): 薩福
• Hindi: साफो
• Arabic: صافو
• Bengali: স্যাফো
• Russian: Сапфо
• Japanese: サッフォー
• Vietnamese: Sappho
• Korean: 사포
• Turkish: Sappho
• Urdu: سافو
• Indonesian: Sappho

Example Sentences

Sappho lived on the Greek island of Lesbos.

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Many poems by Sappho were about love.

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We studied Sappho in our literature class.

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A lot of people admire Sappho for her powerful words about love and identity.

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The term 'sapphic' is actually inspired by Sappho's poetry.

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Some of Sappho’s poems survive only in fragments, but they still move readers today.

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