spanakopita: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-medium (Common in culinary/food contexts, but not in general everyday English)Specialist, culinary, food writing; sometimes informal/casual in foodie contexts.
Quick answer
What does “spanakopita” mean?
A Greek savory pastry filled with spinach, feta cheese, onions, eggs and herbs, wrapped in phyllo (filo) dough.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Greek savory pastry filled with spinach, feta cheese, onions, eggs and herbs, wrapped in phyllo (filo) dough.
While traditionally referring to the specific Greek pastry, the term can sometimes be used more broadly to describe any savory pie or pastry with a spinach and cheese filling, especially in a Mediterranean or fusion cuisine context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. The Greek spelling is universally accepted, though minor variations in Anglicized spelling (spanakopita vs. spanokopita) may occur. The dish is equally recognizable in both cultures, often found in Mediterranean or specialty restaurants.
Connotations
Connotes Mediterranean cuisine, healthy-ish savory snacks (due to spinach), vegetarian fare, and party or appetizer food. It carries an 'ethnic' food label, implying authenticity when used over a generic description like 'spinach pie'.
Frequency
More frequent in contexts discussing international cuisine, food blogs, restaurant menus, and cooking shows than in daily conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “spanakopita” in a Sentence
We ate [spanakopita] for lunch.The restaurant serves [excellent spanakopita].I'm going to make [spanakopita].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spanakopita” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We spanakopita'd our way through the appetisers.
American English
- They decided to spanakopita the menu for the vegetarian option.
adverb
British English
- He cooked spanakopita-ly, with lots of herbs and careful layering.
American English
- The pastry was prepared very spanakopita, with authentic phyllo.
adjective
British English
- The spanakopita flavours were outstanding.
American English
- She brought a spanakopita-style dip to the party.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in the context of catering, restaurant supply, or food imports.
Academic
Rare, except in specific fields like culinary history, anthropology of food, or Mediterranean studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing food, ordering at a Greek restaurant, or planning a meal.
Technical
Used in culinary arts, recipe writing, and food science when specifying the dish.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spanakopita”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spanakopita”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spanakopita”
- Misspelling: 'spanokopita', 'spanakopitta'.
- Mispronunciation: putting stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., SPAN-a-ko-pita instead of span-a-KOP-ita).
- Using it as a mass noun (e.g., 'some spanakopita' for the whole dish is acceptable, but 'a spanakopita' is correct for one piece).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional spanakopita is vegetarian, containing spinach, feta, onions, eggs, and herbs. However, some modern or non-traditional versions might use chicken broth or other non-vegetarian ingredients, so it's best to check.
Spanakopita is filled primarily with spinach and cheese (usually feta). Tiropita is a similar Greek pastry but filled primarily with cheese (often a mix of feta, ricotta, or kefalotyri) and no spinach.
While phyllo (filo) dough is traditional and creates a characteristically crisp, flaky, and layered texture, puff pastry can be used as a substitute for a simpler, still delicious, but different result—it will be more buttery and puffy than shatteringly crisp.
The most common English pronunciation stresses the third syllable: span-a-KOP-i-ta. In American English, the 'o' in 'kop' often sounds like the 'o' in 'go', while in British English it's more like the 'o' in 'hot'.
A Greek savory pastry filled with spinach, feta cheese, onions, eggs and herbs, wrapped in phyllo (filo) dough.
Spanakopita is usually specialist, culinary, food writing; sometimes informal/casual in foodie contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As Greek as spanakopita (informal, emphasizing authenticity).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SPAN' for spinach, 'AKOP' sounds like 'a cop' helping you eat, and 'ITA' like 'eat-a' – a cop helps you eat a spinach pie.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT FOOD IS HERITAGE / AUTHENTICITY IS CONTAINED WITHIN LAYERS (referring to the layered filo dough containing traditional ingredients).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cultural origin of spanakopita?