Gyro. It’s a word that conjures up delicious images of warm pita bread, savory meat, and creamy tzatziki sauce. But before you can order this Greek delight with confidence, you need to know how to pronounce it! The word “gyro” can be a bit tricky for English speakers, but we’re here to clear up any confusion and get you ordering like a pro.
Pronouncing Gyro (The Food)
When we’re talking about the mouthwatering Mediterranean dish, “gyro”, there are actually two commonly accepted pronunciations in English. Both are correct, so feel free to choose the one that rolls off your tongue most easily. The key is to emphasize the first syllable in both variations.
Pronunciation 1: JEE-roh or ZHEE-roh
IPA: [ʒiɹoʊ] or [ˈdʒiː.roʊ]
This pronunciation often surprises people because it uses a “ZH” sound at the beginning, similar to the sound in words like “vision” or “measure”.
- JEE/ZHEE [ʒi] or [ˈdʒiː]: Start with the ZH sound [ʒ], made by buzzing your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth, or a softer “J” sound as in “jeep.” Then, transition smoothly into a long “ee” sound, just like the “ee” in “see” or “tree.”
- roh [ɹoʊ]: This second syllable is simpler. It starts with the typical English “R” sound [ɹ] and glides into the “OW” diphthong, as heard in words like “go,” “snow,” or “no.”
Example Sentence: “I’m in the mood for a jee-roh (or zhee-roh) with all the fixings!”
Pronunciation 2: YEE-roh
IPA: [jiɹoʊ] or [‘jiː.roʊ]
This pronunciation is arguably more intuitive for English speakers as it starts with a “Y” sound, as in “yes” or “yellow.”
- YEE [ji] or [‘jiː]: Begin with the “Y” sound [j], as in “you,” and then move into the same long “ee” sound we used in the first pronunciation.
- roh [ɹoʊ]: The second syllable remains the same as before – the “R” sound followed by the “OW” diphthong.
Example Sentence: “Could I please get a yee-roh to go?”
Pronouncing Gyro (Gyroscope)
It’s worth noting that “gyro” is also short for “gyroscope,” a device used for maintaining stability in aircraft, ships, and even smartphones. The pronunciation for “gyro” when referring to a gyroscope is different from the food.
IPA: [ˈdʒaɪ.roʊ]
- DJAI [ˈdʒaɪ]: This syllable starts with a “DJ” sound, similar to the “j” in “jam” or “judge”, followed by the “AI” diphthong, as in “my” or “fly.”
- roh [roʊ]: Again, the second syllable is the familiar “R” sound followed by the “OW” diphthong.
Example Sentence: “The djai-roh in this airplane ensures a smooth flight.”
While both “jee-roh/zhee-roh” and “yee-roh” are perfectly acceptable ways to pronounce the name of the delicious Greek sandwich, understanding both pronunciations will make you feel more confident when ordering or discussing this popular food. And now you also know how to pronounce “gyro” when talking about technology! So go ahead, order your gyro with assurance and enjoy every bite!
