κανέλα
kanéla/kaˈne.la/feminine
Cinnamon in Greek is κανέλα (kanéla).
The word κανέλα is a feminine noun used to refer to the spice itself.
Meaning: spice (noun)
Which one should you use?
κανέλα is the noun used for the spice, while the related forms κανελί or κανελής are used as adjectives to describe a cinnamon-like color.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The genitive form of the noun is κανέλας, which is used to indicate possession or composition, such as when saying 'stick of cinnamon' (ξύλο κανέλας ).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kaˈne.la/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word κανέλα is borrowed from the Italian 'cannella', which reflects the historical trade routes where Italian merchants controlled the spice flow into the Mediterranean.
- In Greek folk tradition, cinnamon is sometimes added to wedding sweets to symbolize the 'sweetness' and spice of a new marriage.
- While κανέλα is the spice, the phrase ξύλο κανέλας literally translates to 'wood of cinnamon', treating the spice as a piece of timber.
Examples in context
- Χρησιμοποιείς ποτέ κανέλα στο μαγείρεμα;Do you ever use cinnamon in your cooking?This sentence is useful for asking if someone uses κανέλα in their cooking.Tatoeba #7583545 by amoeba, translation #6343370 by CK
- ξύλο κανέλαςStick of cinnamonThis phrase shows how to use the genitive form κανέλας to mean 'of cinnamon'.
- Σου αρέσει η κανέλα;Do you like cinnamon?
- Μου αρέσει πολύ η κανέλαI really like cinnamon
- Μου αρέσει η κανέλα στο γλυκό.Mou aresei i kanela sto glyko.I like cinnamon in the dessert.
Example conversation
Dimitris and Anastasia are baking a cake together.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠού είναι η κανέλα;Poú eínai i kanéla?Where is the cinnamon?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίναι δίπλα στο ζάχαρο, Δημήτρη.Eínai dípla sto zácharo, Dimítri.It is next to the sugar, Dimitris.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕυχαριστώ, Αναστασία.Efcharistó, Anastasía.Thank you, Anastasia.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠαρακαλώ, βάλε λίγη τώρα.Parakaló, vále líghi tóra.You're welcome, put some in now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cinnamon” translations and entries κανέλα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κανέλα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
