IN GREEK
καλφάς
kalfas
journeyman; assistant to a master builder or craftsman (dated)
IN TURKISH
kalfa
kalfa
journeyman, assistant master; historically a senior female household servant
WEAR THE WORD
καλφάς in blue ink and kalfa in red, on a T shirt, a tote or a mug.
THE RECORD
- LENT BY, BORROWED BY
- Turkish to Greek
- STARTED IN
- Arabic
- CATEGORY
- Trade and money
- NOTES
- Arabic khalīfa, successor, deputy; Greek via Turkish; dated in Greek.
COMMENTS
An editor reads every comment before it appears.
SOURCES
- Nişanyan Sözlük (checked online)
Etymologies are checked against the dictionaries and studies listed. An entry is stamped settled only when both the Greek and the Turkish side have been checked. Research for this ledger was compiled with AI assistance and reviewed by the editors.
HOW TO CITE THIS ENTRY
Gold, K. (ed.) (2026) ‘καλφάς / kalfa’, entry 195, Defter ή Tefteri: a ledger of shared Greek and Turkish words. https://defteritefteri.com/en/w/195-kalfas/. Accessed [day month year].