γιασεμί
giasemí/ʝaseˈmi/neuter
The Greek word for jasmine is γιασεμί (giasemí).
The term refers to a plant of the genus Jasminum.
Meaning: plant of genus Jasminum (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Cretan dialect, the term for jasmine is γιασιμούλ(ι).
How does it change in a sentence?
As a neuter noun, γιασεμί remains the same in both the nominative and accusative singular cases.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced {giasemí}.
Did you know?
- The word γιασεμί is a loanword from Ottoman Turkish, which borrowed it from Persian. While Ancient Greek had the word ἰάσμη for the plant, the modern term replaced it during the Ottoman period.
- In Greece, the jasmine flower is often associated with the memory of a lost love or a nostalgic longing for the past. It is a common motif in traditional Greek folk songs and poetry to represent bittersweet remembrance.
- The word γιασεμί appears frequently in the lyrics of 'rebetiko', the urban blues of Greece, where it often contrasts the beauty of nature with the hardship of the singer's life.
Examples in context
- Το γιασεμί έχει πολύ ωραίο άρωμα.The jasmine has a very nice scent.
- Το γιασεμί μυρίζει πολύ γλυκά.To giasemi myrizhei poly glyka.The jasmine smells very sweet.
- Αυτό το γιασεμί είναι λευκό.Afto to giasemi einai lefko.This jasmine is white.
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Kostas are walking in a garden.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΚώστα, δες αυτό το γιασεμί!Kósta, des autó to yasemí!Kostas, look at this jasmine!
- Κώστας KostasΕίναι όμορφο, αλλά τι μυρίζει;Eínai ómoro, allá ti mirízei?It is beautiful, but what does it smell like?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΜυρίζει σαν το καλοκαίρι.Mirízei san to kalokaíri.It smells like summer.
- Κώστας KostasΈχεις δίκιο, είναι υπέροχο.Écheis díkio, eínai ypérocho.You are right, it is wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jasmine” translations and entries γιασεμί, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γιασεμί, CC BY-SA 4.0.
