κεμπάπ
kempáp/ceˈbap/neuter
The Greek word for kebab is κεμπάπ (kempáp).
κεμπάπ is the most widely used term for kebab in Greece. It is a neuter noun used to refer to the dish.
Meaning: dish (noun)
Which one should you use?
While κεμπάπ refers to the dish generally, the term σουβλάκι refers to small pieces of grilled meat, often served on a skewer or wrapped in pita bread.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kempáp. The IPA is /ceˈbap/.
Did you know?
- Although the word κεμπάπ sounds nearly identical to the English 'kebab', its roots are actually Arabic rather than Greek. The word traveled from Arabic through Ottoman Turkish into the Greek language.
- The Greek spelling κεμπάπ uses the letter 'μπ' to create the 'b' sound. This is because the Greek alphabet does not have a single letter for the 'b' sound as found in English.
- Unlike in some Northern European countries where a 'kebab' is often a large wrap with salad, in Greece, a κεμπάπ usually refers specifically to minced meat grilled on a skewer.
Examples in context
- Πάμε στο κεμπαπτζίδικο;Let's go to the kebab shop?
- Αυτό το σουβλατζίδικο έχει υπέροχα κεμπάπThis restaurant has delicious kebabs
- Θα ήθελα τζατζίκι, ντομάτα, και φέτα μέσα στο σουβλάκι μουI would like tzatziki, tomato, and feta inside my kebab
- Αυτό το κεμπάπ είναι πολύ νόστιμο.Afto to kebab einai poly nostimo.This kebab is very delicious.
- Θέλεις να παραγγείλουμε ένα κεμπάπ;Theleis na parangeiloume ena kebab;Do you want to order a kebab?
- Το κεμπάπ εδώ είναι διάσημο.To kebab edo einai diasimo.The kebab here is famous.
Example conversation
Eleni and Nikos are choosing what to eat for dinner.
- Ελένη EleniΝίκο, θέλεις να φάμε κεμπάπ tonight;Níko, thélis na fáme kempáp tonight?Nikos, do you want to eat kebab tonight?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, το κεμπάπ μου αρέσει πολύ.Nai, to kempáp mou arései polý.Yes, I like kebab very much.
- Ελένη EleniΑς παραγγείλουμε ένα μεγάλο κεμπάπ λοιπόν.As parangíloume éna megálo kempáp loipón.Let's order a large kebab then.
- Νίκος NikosΣυμφωνώ, ακούγεται υπέροχα!Symfonó, akoúgetai ypérocha!I agree, that sounds wonderful!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kebab” translations and entries κεμπάπ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries κεμπάπ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
