souvlaki: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialized culinary/cultural term)Informal, culinary, cultural
Quick answer
What does “souvlaki” mean?
A Greek dish consisting of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Greek dish consisting of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer.
Refers to the skewered meat itself, or to a fast-food item often served wrapped in pita bread with salad and sauce.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, referring to the Greek dish. The term is equally understood in both culinary contexts.
Connotations
Conveys authenticity, Mediterranean cuisine, and fast-casual dining.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in urban areas with diverse food scenes. No significant regional variation between UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “souvlaki” in a Sentence
We ordered [souvlaki] for lunch.The restaurant specializes in [souvlaki].She makes excellent [souvlaki].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “souvlaki” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Let's grab a souvlaki from the stall near the station.
- The souvlaki was served with a generous portion of chips.
American English
- We're going out for souvlaki tonight.
- I'll have the chicken souvlaki in a pita wrap, please.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in restaurant menus, food import/export, or tourism marketing.
Academic
Rare. Found in culinary studies, anthropology, or cultural studies discussing Greek foodways.
Everyday
Common when discussing food choices, dining out, or cooking.
Technical
Used in professional culinary contexts specifying preparation methods.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “souvlaki”
- Misspelling as 'souvlaki' or 'souvlaki'.
- Using it as a countable noun for the pieces of meat (e.g., 'three souvlakis' – more common to say 'three souvlaki sticks' or 'three pieces of souvlaki').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while pork is traditional, chicken, lamb, and sometimes beef or fish are also common.
Souvlaki is made from small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer. Gyros is made from seasoned meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, then thinly sliced.
In Greece, it is often served on the skewer with bread, lemon, and maybe chips or rice. Outside Greece, it is frequently served as a wrap ('souvlaki pita') with tomato, onion, tzatziki, and sometimes chips inside the pita.
It can be, as it involves grilled meat and vegetables. Healthiness depends on the meat's leanness, the amount of oil used, and the accompaniments (e.g., pita bread, sauces).
A Greek dish consisting of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer.
Souvlaki is usually informal, culinary, cultural in register.
Souvlaki: in British English it is pronounced /suːˈvlɑː.ki/, and in American English it is pronounced /suːˈvlɑː.ki/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On a souvlaki run”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SOUnds like 'Sue' + 'vla' (like 'vodka' without 'dka') + 'key'. Imagine Sue turning the key to a grill full of tasty skewers.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS CULTURE (e.g., 'A taste of Greece on a stick').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of souvlaki?