δημητριακά
dimitriakáneuter, plural
The English word cereal is δημητριακά (dimitriaká) in Greek.
δημητριακά is used to refer both to the botanical category of cereal grains and to the processed breakfast cereal that one eats with milk.
Meaning: grains of such a grass (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
While the plural noun δημητριακά is used for breakfast cereal, the singular masculine adjective δημητριακό can be used to describe something related to cereals, such as in the phrase δημητριακό προϊόν (cereal product).
How do you pronounce it?
dimitriaká
Did you know?
- The word δημητριακά is named directly after Δημήτηρ, the Ancient Greek goddess of the harvest.
- In ancient Greece, the 'Thesmophoria' was a festival dedicated to Δημήτηρ specifically to ensure the growth of the crops that would become δημητριακά.
- While δημητριακά covers all grains, Greeks often use the more specific word σιτάρι for wheat, which is the foundational grain of the Mediterranean diet.
Examples in context
- Πόσο συχνά τρως δημητριακά για το πρωινό;How often do you eat cereal for breakfast?This sentence shows how to ask about the frequency of eating δημητριακά for breakfast.Tatoeba #8230974 by ellasevia, translation #5849000 by CK
- Τα δημητριακά είναι καλά για την υγεία.Ta dimitria-ka einai kala gia tin ygeia.Cereals are good for health.
- Αγοράζω δημητριακά κάθε εβδομάδα.Agorazo dimitria-ka kathe evdomada.I buy cereals every week.
Example conversation
Nikos and Kyriaki are in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
- Νίκος NikosΚυριακή, έχουμε ακόμα δημητριακά;Kyriakí, éhoume akóma dimitriaká?Kyriaki, do we still have cereal?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΌχι, τελειώσαμε το πακέτο χθες.Óchi, teliósame to pakéto chthes.No, we finished the box yesterday.
- Νίκος NikosΤότε θα πάρω δημητριακά σήμερα από το σούπερ μάρκετ.Tóte tha páro dimitriaká símera apó to súper márket.Then I will get cereal today from the supermarket.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΤέλεια, πάρε και γάλα.Téleia, páre kai gála.Great, get some milk too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cereal” translations and entries δημητριακά, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries δημητριακά, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
