βούτυρο
voútyro/ˈvu.ti.ɾo/neuter
The Greek word for butter is βούτυρο (voútyro).
βούτυρο is a noun used to describe the soft foodstuff made from milk.
Meaning: soft foodstuff made from milk (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
βούτυρο is a neuter noun. When used with the definite article, it is το βούτυρο. To indicate possession or to say 'of butter', use the genitive form βουτύρου.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈvu.ti.ɾo/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable: voútyro.
Did you know?
- The word βούτυρο literally translates to 'cow cheese', combining the words for 'ox' and 'cheese'.
- While βούτυρο is the word for butter, Greek cuisine traditionally relies more on ελαιόλαδο or olive oil for cooking and baking.
- The word for cow βούς inside βούτυρο is the same root found in the English word 'bovine'.
Examples in context
- Δεν έφαγα τίποτε, παρά ψωμί και βούτυρο.I ate nothing but bread and butter.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of βούτυρο in a simple list of food.Tatoeba #1583268 by glavkos, translation #35192 by CK
- Ο Τομ δεν καταλαβαίνει τη διαφορά μεταξύ βούτυρου και μαργαρίνης.Tom doesn't understand the difference between butter and margarine.This sentence is useful for contrasting βούτυρο with another food item.Tatoeba #2523507 by glavkos, translation #8169456 by lucasmg123
- Έχει βούτυρο και τυρί.He has butter and cheese.This sentence is useful for using βούτυρο when describing what someone has.Tatoeba #9847160 by lucasmg123, translation #2809831 by ExponentialYoghurt
- Παρακαλώ, μπορώ να έχω λίγο βούτυρο;Excuse me, may I have some butter, please?
- Μου αρέσει πολύ το βουτύρι στα φαγητά μου.I really like butter in my food.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nikos and Maria are preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
- Νίκος NikosΜαρία, υπάρχει βούτυρο στο ψυγείο;Maria, yparchei voutyro sto psigeio?Maria, is there butter in the fridge?
- Μαρία MariaΝαι, Νίκο, είναι στο ράφι.Nai, Niko, einai sto rafi.Yes, Nikos, it is on the shelf.
- Νίκος NikosΘέλω λίγο βούτυρο για το ψωμί.Thelo ligo voutyro gia to psomi.I want some butter for the bread.
- Μαρία MariaΟρίστε, εδώ είναι.Oriste, edo einai.Here you go, here it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butter” translations and entries βούτυρο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries βούτυρο, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
