ελληνικός καφές
ellinikós kafés/e.li.niˈkos kaˈfes/word by word
Greek coffee is expressed in Greek as ελληνικός καφές (ellinikós kafés).
ελληνικός καφές refers to a specific type of strong coffee brewed in a small pot called a briki.
Which one should you use?
While ελληνικός καφές refers to this traditional brewing method, it is distinct from φίλτερος καφές (filter coffee), which is also common in Greece.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ελληνικός καφές is in the masculine singular form, matching the masculine gender of the noun καφές.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /e.li.niˈkos kaˈfes/. The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 4th syllable.
When do people say it?
If you are placing an order at a café, you might use the phrase Ena ellinikó, parakaló to say "one Greek one, please".
Did you know?
- While the brewing method is nearly identical to Turkish coffee, referring to it as 'Turkish coffee' in Greece can sometimes be seen as a political or cultural statement.
- The ritual of drinking ελληνικός καφές often concludes with 'fortune telling' by reading the patterns left by the coffee grounds in the cup.
- The Greek word καφές is not native to the language but was borrowed from Ottoman Turkish kahve, which originated from the Arabic qahwa.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ελληνικός, καφές) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ελληνικός, καφές, CC BY-SA 4.0.
