ντολμαδάκια
dolmadakia
The English phrase "stuffed grape leaves" is translated into Greek as ντολμαδάκια (dolmadakia).
In a Greek culinary context, the term ντολμαδάκια almost exclusively refers to stuffed grape leaves, although it can technically refer to any stuffed vegetable.
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the Turkish word dolma (stuffed thing) with the Greek diminutive suffix -akia added to indicate smallness, literally meaning "little stuffed things".
Which one should you use?
The singular form is ντολμάδα, but the common plural used in menus and daily speech is the diminutive ντολμαδάκια.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is ντολμάδα.
How do you pronounce it?
dolmadakia
Did you know?
- In traditional Greek households, rolling ντολμαδάκια is often a communal social activity where multiple generations of women gather to prepare hundreds of rolls together.
- The 'olive oil' version of ντολμαδάκια is historically linked to the Greek Orthodox fasting periods, during which meat and dairy are forbidden.
- The use of the diminutive suffix -akia in ντολμαδάκια is not just about size but often expresses affection or a sense of delicacy toward the food.
Examples in context
- Μου αρέσουν πολύ τα ντολμαδάκια.Mou arésoun polý ta ndolmadákia.I really like stuffed grape leaves.
- Μπορείς να φτιάξεις ντολμαδάκια;Borís na ftiáxeis ndolmadákia;Can you make stuffed grape leaves?
- Ένα πιάτο με ντολμαδάκια, παρακαλώ.Éna piáto me ndolmadákia, parakaló.A plate of stuffed grape leaves, please.
Example conversation
Nikos and Eleni are deciding what to cook for lunch.
- Νίκος NikosΕλένη, τι θα μαγειρέψεις σήμερα;Eléni, ti tha magirepsis símera;Eleni, what are you cooking today?
- Ελένη EleniΘέλω να φτιάξω ντολμαδάκια.Thélo na ftiáxo ndolmadákia.I want to make stuffed grape leaves.
- Νίκος NikosΕίναι η αγαπημένη μου φαγιά!Eínai i agapiméni mou fayá!It is my favorite food!
- Ελένη EleniΤότε θα φτιάξω πολλά για σένα, Νίκο.Tóte tha ftiáxo pollá gia séna, Níko.Then I will make many for you, Nikos.
