3 syllables: Sou, vla, ki. Stress on Sou.
SOOV-luh-kee
/ˈsuːvləki/
Souvlaki is pronounced SOOV-luh-kee (/ˈsuːvləki/). It has three syllables (Sou-vla-ki), with the stress on "Sou". Souvlaki is a Greek skewered-meat dish, typically small cubes of pork or chicken grilled on a skewer and served with pita, vegetables, and tzatziki. As a term borrowed into English, it refers to the dish in general or to individual kebabs offered in Greek cuisine. The word is used as a noun in singular and plural senses and is common in menus and culinary contexts.
nounSouvlaki is a Greek skewered-meat dish, typically small cubes of pork or chicken grilled on a skewer and served with pita, vegetables, and tzatziki. As a term borrowed into English, it refers to the dish in general or to individual kebabs offered in Greek cuisine. The word is used as a noun in singular and plural senses and is common in menus and culinary contexts.
"We stopped at a Greek taverna for souvlaki and a cold retsina."
"The souvlaki platter came with pita, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki."
"She ordered pork souvlaki with extra lemon and herbs."
Pronounce as soo-v-LA-kee with three syllables. The primary stress is on the middle syllable: soo-voo? Actually: so-OO-vlA-kee? The common English rendering is /ˌsuːvlæˈkiː/ in US, with American speakers often saying su-v-LA-kee. Start with /suː/ as in ‘soon,’ then /vlæ/ with a low front vowel for the second syllable, emphasis on /ˈlæ/ and finish with /kiː/ like ‘key.’ Keep the vowel in the final -ki long and tense. Audio reference: try the sounds in Pronounce or Forvo recordings labeled souvlaki.
Common errors include (1) misplacing stress (putting primary stress on the first or last syllable rather than the second), (2) mispronouncing the middle vowel as a broad ‘a’ like in ‘cat’ instead of the short /æ/ or the unstressed schwa, and (3) truncating the final -ki to a hard ‘k’ without voicing the /iː/ vowel. Correct by learning the three-syllable rhythm, using a clear /æ/ or /ə/ in the middle depending on dialect, and finishing with a long /iː/. Practice with minimal pairs and listen to native speakers on Pronounce or Forvo.
In US English, you’ll likely hear /ˌsuːvlæˈkiː/ with less vowel rounding on the first syllable and a clear final /iː/. UK speakers may use /ˌsəʊvˈlaki/ or /ˌsuːvˈləki/, with a shorter /ə/ in the second syllable and less emphasis on vowel quality. Australian tends toward /ˌsuːvlæˈkiː/ or /ˌsuːvˈlaki/ with a flatter mid vowel and strong final /iː/. Across dialects, the middle syllable can vary in vowel height, and the r-coloring is usually non-rhotic in UK/AU, rhotic in US, though souvlaki itself remains non-rhotic in many contexts.
It challenges learners with a tri-syllabic structure and a consonant cluster in the middle (vl) that isn’t common in many languages. The sequence sou-vl-aki requires precise tongue positioning: a rounded /uː/ followed by a brief /v/ and a hard /l/ with the /æ/ or /ə/ in the middle. The final /kiː/ demands a clear, tense front vowel. The Greek vowel quality in the middle and the non-phonemic stress patterns can lead to mis-stressing, vowel misplacement, and a clipped ending if speakers rush.
Notice the strong, crisp final -ki (/kiː/). Some speakers reduce the second syllable vowel to /ə/ or /æ/, which changes the rhythm. The middle consonant cluster /vl/ should be produced with minimal vowel intrusion—avoid inserting extra vowels like /ə/ between /v/ and /l/. Keeping the three distinct syllables helps avoid merging sounds and preserves the characteristic Greek flavor of the word.
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Souvlaki derives from the Greek word souvlaki meaning “small skewer” or “little kebab.” The form souvlaki is diminutive: souvla means “skewer” in ancient Greek, with the -aki ending functioning as a diminutive suffix. The term entered Modern Greek in the 20th century as grilled meat skewers became a staple in tavernas and street food. In English usage, souvlaki is borrowed unchanged with stress often swinging between SOOV-la-kee and soo-VOHL-kee depending on speaker and context. First attested in English in the mid-20th century as Greek cuisine became popular in the West, the dish has spread globally, retaining its Greek pronunciation for many speakers while adapting to local phonology and menu spellings. The word’s path reflects broader patterns of immigrant cuisine adoption, where authentic names travel with preserved vowels and consonant clusters, inviting native and non-native speakers alike to approximate the original sound while integrating into their own speech habits.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Souvlaki" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Souvlaki" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Souvlaki"
-aki sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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