φλιτζάνι
flitzáni/fliˈd͡zani/neuter
The English word cup can be translated into Greek as φλιτζάνι (flitzáni) or κούπα.
Meaning: drinking vessel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| φλιτζάνι | flitzáni | /fliˈd͡zani/ | neuter |
| κούπα | koúpa | /ˈkupa/ | feminine |
Both terms refer to a drinking vessel, but they are used for different types of containers. φλιτζάνι is typically used for small cups, such as those used for espresso or small servings of coffee. κούπα is typically used for larger vessels like mugs or for measuring quantities in cooking.
Which one should you use?
Use φλιτζάνι for a small cup/demitasse. Use κούπα for a mug/large cup. The word κύπελλο is distinct from these, as it refers to more formal or ceremonial vessels like chalices or to a trophy in a sporting context.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The neuter noun φλιτζάνι becomes φλιτζάνια in the plural. The feminine noun κούπα becomes κούπες in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
flitzáni (/fliˈdzani/)
Did you know?
- The word φλιτζάνι travelled through a massive linguistic loop, originating from the Ancient Greek word πίναξ before returning to Greek via Aramaic, Persian, Arabic and Ottoman Turkish.
- When ordering a 'Greek coffee' at a cafe, the coffee is traditionally served in a φλιτζάνι with the grounds left at the bottom for fortune telling.
- The word κούπα is actually a distant relative of the Latin word 'cuppa', which is where the English word 'cup' originates.
Examples in context
- Ο Τομ έσπασε την κούπα.Tom broke the cup.This sentence shows the use of κούπα in the context of a broken vessel.Tatoeba #5523391 by Zeus, translation #5482205 by CK
- Χρειάζομαι μια κούπα ζάχαρη.I need a cup of sugar.This sentence illustrates how κούπα is used to measure a quantity of sugar.Tatoeba #5531515 by Zeus, translation #5311616 by mailohilohi
- Φτιάξε μου ένα φλιτζάνι καφέ σε παρακαλώ.Please make me a cup of coffee.This sentence demonstrates the use of φλιτζάνι when requesting a small coffee.Tatoeba #7326248 by amoeba, translation #62223 by Swift
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen, George is preparing tea for Eleni.
- Ελένη EleniΠού είναι ένα φλιτζάνι;Pou einai ena filtziání;Where is a cup?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕίναι στο ντουλάπι, Ελένη.Einai sto doulápi, Eléni.It is in the cupboard, Eleni.
- Ελένη EleniΒρήκα το φλιτζάνι μου.Vríka to filtziání mou.I found my cup.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΘέλεις τσάι σε αυτό;Thélis tsái se aftó;Do you want tea in it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cup” translations and entries φλιτζάνι, κούπα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κούπα, φλιτζάνι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
