Learn Greek › C1 › σφηνάκι
σφηνάκι
shot (of liquor) /sfiˈnaci/
nounC1#3291 most common
Also: small wedge, shot glass
Example sentences
Θέλω ένα σφηνάκι, παρακαλώ.
I want a shot, please.
Ήπιαμε ένα σφηνάκι τεκίλα στο μπαρ.
We drank a tequila shot at the bar.
Ο φίλος μου παρήγγειλε τρία σφηνάκια για όλους.
My friend ordered three shots for everyone.
Μετά το δείπνο, ο σερβιτόρος μάς κέρασε ένα σφηνάκι ούζο.
After dinner, the waiter treated us to a shot of ouzo.
Στα ελληνικά μπαρ, είναι συνήθεια να πίνεις ένα σφηνάκι πριν φύγεις.
In Greek bars, it is customary to drink a shot before you leave.
Ο μαραγκός έβαλε ένα μικρό σφηνάκι κάτω από το τραπέζι για να το ισορροπήσει.
The carpenter put a small wedge under the table to balance it.
Declension
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | σφηνάκι | σφηνάκια |
| Genitive | σφηνακιού | σφηνακιών |
| Accusative | σφηνάκι | σφηνάκια |
| Vocative | σφηνάκι | σφηνάκια |
Word family
σφήναwedge
σφηνώνωto wedge in, jam
σφήνωμαthe act of wedging or jamming
σφηνάκιαshots (drinks), plural
Etymology
Σφηνάκι is the diminutive of σφήνα, the Greek word for wedge, formed with the common neuter suffix -άκι. The wedge sense is old, going back to ancient Greek σφήν. The drinking sense is modern slang: a small shot glass, and by extension the shot itself, resembles a compact wedge-shaped vessel, so bar culture borrowed the diminutive for the drink.
Learn Greek the way that sticks.
Every word here is a full Polylex card with native audio and spaced repetition, so 3,509 words actually move into long-term memory.
Start free
Every word here is a full Polylex card with native audio and spaced repetition, so 3,509 words actually move into long-term memory.
Start free