κολοκυθάκι
kolokytháki
The Greek word for zucchini is κολοκυθάκι (kolokytháki), which literally means little pumpkin.
κολοκυθάκι is the everyday word for the green summer squash used in many dishes, as in Αυτό το πιάτο φτιάχνεται με κολοκυθάκια, this dish is made with zucchini.
What does it mean word for word?
κολοκυθάκι is the diminutive of κολοκύθα, pumpkin.
Which one should you use?
κολοκύθι can mean either zucchini or pumpkin.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural is κολοκυθάκια. Greek usually speaks of zucchini in the plural, as in Αγαπώ τα κολοκυθάκια, I love zucchini.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as kolokytháki, with the stress on the last syllable but one.
Did you know?
- Ancient Greeks used the root word κολοκύθι to refer to various gourds, which were often used as vessels or floats before the vegetable was cultivated as we know it today.
- In Greek culture, κολοκυθάκια are often served as 'kolokythakia tiganita', which are sliced rounds fried in olive oil and lemon juice.
- The word κολοκυθάκι belongs to a category of Greek words where the diminutive is used to create an entirely new species of plant rather than just a smaller version.
Examples in context
- Θέλω ένα κολοκυθάκι για τη σούπα.Thelo ena kolokythaki gia ti soupa.I want a zucchini for the soup.
- Αυτό το κολοκυθάκι είναι πολύ φρέσκο.Afto to kolokythaki einai poly fresko.This zucchini is very fresh.
- Πού είναι το κολοκυθάκι μου;Pou einai to kolokythaki mou;Where is my zucchini?
Example conversation
Dimitris and Kyriaki are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΤι έχουμε στο ψυγείο, Κυριακή;Ti échoume sto psygeío, Kyriáki?What do we have in the fridge, Kyriaki?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΈχουμε ένα κολοκυθάκι και ντομάτες.Échoume éna kolokytháki kai domátes.We have a zucchini and tomatoes.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΑς φτιάξουμε ομελέτα λοιπόν.As ftiáxoume omeléta loipón.Let's make an omelette then.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΩραία ιδέα, Δημήτρη!Oraía idéa, Dimítri!Great idea, Dimitris!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry κολοκυθάκι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
