شاورما
shāwarmā
The Arabic word for gyro is شاورما (shāwarmā).
While the English term gyro refers specifically to a Greek dish, Arabic speakers use شاورما to refer to this style of meat-on-pita sandwich regardless of the specific meat type or origin.
Meaning: Greek sandwich (noun)
Which one should you use?
In many Arabic-speaking regions, the term شاورما is used as a generic term for any rotisserie-style meat sandwich, whereas gyro is a specific Greek culinary term.
How do you pronounce it?
shāwarmā
Did you know?
- The word شاورما actually comes from the Turkish word çevirme, which literally means 'the act of spinning' or 'turning'.
- In many Arabic-speaking countries, شاورما is not just a meal but a popular late-night street food culture, often sold from small kiosks that stay open until dawn.
- The word شاورما is used across various dialects from Morocco to Iraq, making it one of the most universally recognized culinary terms in the Arab world.
Examples in context
- أريد شاورما دجاج من فضلك.urīdu shawarma dajāj min fadlik.I want a chicken gyro, please.
Example conversation
Nour and Omar are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- نور Nourيا عمر، هل تريد تناول الشاورما اليوم؟Ya Omar, hal tureedu tanawul ash-shawarma al-yawm?Omar, do you want to eat a gyro today?
- عمر Omarنعم، أنا جائع جداً.Na'am, ana ja'i' jiddan.Yes, I am very hungry.
- نور Nourسأطلب شاورما لحم لي ولَك.Sa-atlubu shawarma lahm li wa lak.I will order a meat gyro for me and you.
- عمر Omarشكراً يا نور، هذا رائع.Shukran ya Nour, hadha ra'i'.Thank you Nour, that is great.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries شاورما, CC BY-SA 4.0.
