A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Souvlaki
Learn how to pronounce souvlaki, the classic Greek dish of skewered meat, with this simple guide.
souvlaki
soo-VLAH-kee
/suːˈvlɑːki/ · souv · la · ki
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It refers specifically to small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer, often served inside a pita wrap.
Where the word comes from
The word comes from the Modern Greek souvlaki, which is a diminutive of souvla, meaning spit or skewer, derived from the Latin subula.
Common ways people get it wrong
- SOV-la-kee People often shorten the first syllable, but it should be a long 'oo' sound as in 'soup'.
- suv-LAK-ee The stress belongs on the second syllable, not the third.
Frequently asked
Is souvlaki pronounced with a V or a B?
It is pronounced with a V sound. The Greek letter beta is pronounced as a 'v' in modern Greek.
Do I pronounce the final i in souvlaki?
Yes, the final 'i' is pronounced clearly like the 'ee' in 'see'. It is not silent.
Is souvlaki the same as gyro?
While both are Greek meat dishes, a gyro is made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, whereas souvlaki is grilled on a skewer.
How do you pronounce souvlaki in Greek?
In Greek, souvlaki is pronounced roughly as 'soo-vlah-kee'. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
What is a souvlaki in English?
In English, souvlaki refers to a popular Greek dish of small pieces of meat, usually pork or chicken, grilled on a skewer. It is often served in a pita bread with toppings.
What's the difference between gyros and souvlaki?
Souvlaki consists of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer, while gyros is made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie and then thinly sliced.
