καλαμάρι
kalamárineuter
The Greek word for squid is καλαμάρι (kalamári).
καλαμάρι refers to the sea animal known as a squid. It is also used in the context of food, such as in the classic Greek dish Καλαμάρι Τηγανητό, which refers to fried squid rings.
Meaning: sea animal (noun)
Which one should you use?
The diminutive form Kalamarakia is used to refer to small squids or squid dishes.
How does it change in a sentence?
καλαμάρι is a neuter noun.
How do you pronounce it?
kalamári
Did you know?
- The Greek word καλαμάρι actually traveled through Latin before returning to Greek, evolving from the Ancient Greek κάλαμος into the Latin calamārius and then into Byzantine Greek.
- In Greece, the word καλαμάκι can refer to a drinking straw, a thin skewer for meat or a small reed, all because they share the same root as καλαμάρι.
- Greek speakers often use the diminutive καλαμαράκια not just to describe the size of the squid, but to make the dish sound more appetizing or 'cute' on a menu.
Examples in context
- Το καλαμάρι είναι φρέσκο.To kalamari einai fresko.The squid is fresh.
- Αυτό το καλαμάρι είναι πολύ νόστιμο.Afto to kalamari einai poly nostimo.This squid is very delicious.
Example conversation
At a seaside taverna in Greece.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΚώστα, θα φάμε καλαμάρι;Kosta, tha fame kalamari;Kostas, shall we eat squid?
- Κώστας KostasΝαι, μου αρέσει πολύ.Ne, mou aresei poly.Yes, I like it very much.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΤο καλαμάρι εδώ είναι καλό.To kalamari edo einai kalo.The squid here is good.
- Κώστας KostasΦυσικά, είναι φρέσκο.Fisika, einai fresko.Of course, it is fresh.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “squid” translations and entries καλαμάρι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries καλαμάρι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
