φακές
fakés
The Greek word for lentils is φακές (fakés).
φακές refers to the small, lens-shaped seeds from a legume plant that are used as food.
How does it change in a sentence?
While φακές is the form used to refer to the food in general, the singular form φακός is used when referring to a single lentil.
How do you pronounce it?
fakés
Did you know?
- In Greece, it is a widespread tradition to eat φακές on January 1st to bring luck and prosperity for the new year.
- The word φακός is used in modern Greek not only for a lentil but also for a flashlight or a torch.
- The singular form φακός is also the Greek word for a 'lens', meaning the word for the legume and the word for an optical lens are identical.
Examples in context
- Θα ήθελα φακές, παρακαλώ.I would like lentils, please.
- Μου αρέσουν πολύ οι φακές.Mou arésoun polý oi fakés.I like lentils very much.
- Πρέπει να αγοράσω φακές από το σούπερ μάρκετ.Prépei na agoráso fakés apó to súper márket.I need to buy lentils from the supermarket.
- Φτιάχνω μια σούπα με φακές σήμερα.Ftiáchno mia soúpa me fakés símera.I am making a lentil soup today.
Example conversation
A couple is discussing what to cook for dinner at home.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕλένη, τι θα φτιάξουμε για φαγητό;Eléni, ti tha ftiáksoume gia fagitó;Eleni, what shall we make for food?
- Ελένη EleniΘέλεις φακές με καραμελίτα;Thélis fakés me karamelíta;Do you want lentils with bacon?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝαι, η ιδέα σου είναι υπέροχη.Nai, i idéa sou eínai ypérochi.Yes, your idea is wonderful.
- Ελένη EleniΤότε θα βάλω τις φακές στην κατσαρόλα.Tóte tha válo tis fakés stin katsaróla.Then I will put the lentils in the pot.
