γλυκός
glykós/ɣliˈkos/masculine
The Greek word for "sweet", meaning having a pleasant taste, is γλυκός (glykós).
γλυκός describes sweet food and drink. Like the English word, it also describes a kind person or a gentle voice. πολύ γλυκό means "very sweet".
Meaning: having a pleasant taste (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The neuter form γλυκό is also commonly used as a noun meaning "a sweet" or "a dessert".
Which one should you use?
For a sugary sweet such as a candy, the word is καραμέλα.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Τρελά γλυκός is an informal expression that translates to "crazy sweet".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending to agree with the noun. Use γλυκός for masculine, γλυκιά for feminine and γλυκό for neuter nouns and γλυκά for several neuter nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced /ɣliˈkos/, romanized glykós, with the stress on the last syllable.
Did you know?
- The Greek word γλυκός is the ancestor of many English scientific terms, such as 'glucose' and 'glycerin'.
- The word γλυκό can be used to describe 'sweet' butter, which in Greece refers to unsalted butter.
- In Greece, γλυκά refers to a wide category of traditional desserts, including honey-soaked pastries and syrups, rather than just sugary candies.
Examples in context
- Είσαι πολύ γλυκός.You're very sweet.Here γλυκός describes a male person as sweet.Tatoeba #5438209 by Zeus, translation #2038475 by Spamster
- γλυκό βούτυρο, όχι αλατισμένοSweet butter, not saltedHere γλυκό describes unsalted butter.
- γλυκιά μου αγάπη, αγάπη μου γλυκιά!My sweet love!Here γλυκιά is the feminine form describing love.
- Τι γλυκάκια!What sweeties!
- Είσαι πολύ γλυκός/γλυκιάYou are very sweet.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Nikos are eating dessert in a cafe.
- Μαρία MariaΣου αρέσει ο ζωμός;Sou aresei o zomos;Do you like the syrup?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, είναι πολύ γλυκός.Nai, einai poly glykos.Yes, it is very sweet.
- Μαρία MariaΔεν είναι υπερβολικό;Den einai ypervoliko?Isn't it too much?
- Νίκος NikosΌχι, είναι τέλειος ο γλυκός γευσμός.Ochi, einai teleios o glykos gevsmos.No, the sweet taste is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweet” translations and entries γλυκός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γλυκός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
