It’s that time of year when tourists flood the Greek islands and mainland. As you gear up with maps and travel guide books, print up this little list of the 30 most useful Greek phrasesphonetically spelled out for visitors in Greece!
Useful Greek phrases. A collection of useful phrases in Greek, a Hellenic language spoken spoken mainly in Greece and Cyprus. Jump to phrases. From Zero to Greek: An Introduction to the Language for Everyone. Basics of the Greek language (2). Include the basic Greek alphabet and the vowels. 1 Useful Greek Phrases NB: Syllables in bold are stressed English IPA Greek Hi! ʝasas Γεια σας (plural &.
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- Common Greek Phrases Greek citizens greet one another differently depending on the time of day. In the morning, tourists can say kalimera (kah-lee-MARE-ah) and in the afternoon can use kalomesimeri (kah-lo-messy-mary), though in practice, this is rarely heard and kalimera can be used both times of the day.
1. Hello: Yassoo (familiar) or yassas (formal)
2. Do you speak English?: Meelate angleeka?
3. How are you: Ti kanis? (familiar) Ti kanete (formal)
4. Good or well: Kala
5. Very good or very well: Polee kala
6. Fine: Meeah harah
7. So-so: Etsi kayetsi
8. What is your name?: Poseh leneh
9. Good morning: Kaleemera (familiar) or kaleemera sas (formal)
10. Good evening: Kaleespera (familiar) or kaleespera sas (formal)
11. Goodnight: Kaleenikta (familiar) or kaleenikta sas (formal)
12. Can you help me?: Boreeteh na meh voytheeseteh?
13. Where am I?…Where are we?: Pooh eemeh? pooh eemasteh?
14. Where is the toilet?: Pooh eeneh i tualéta?
15. I need a doctor: Kreeahzomeh yeeahktro
16. I am staying at (the hotel): Méno sto…(xenodocheío)
17. I love you: S’agapo
18. I am a vegetarian: Eemay chortofagos
18. I would like…: Tha eethelah…
19. Thank you: Efcharisto
20. In your face: Sta moutra sou (only if you feel like a fight)
21. Yes: Nai
22. No: Okhee
23. Water: Nero
24. Drink: Poto
25. Wine: Krasi
26. Please: Parakalo
27. I don’t understand: Then katalaveno
28. Sea: Thalassa
29. The bill please!: To logariasmo, parakalo!
30. How much is it?: Poso kanee?
Wherever you go, nothing makes your travels easier than knowing a few words in the local language, and in Greece, even a few words will warm your welcome and may even inspire a lasting friendship. Fortunately, if you're planning a trip to Greece this year, it only takes a few minutes to learn some basic Greek phrases that will help you get around the European country.
From saying good morning, good afternoon, and good nights (kalimera, kalispera, and kalinikta) to simply saying hello in Greek (yia sas or yiassou), these common phrases should help facilitate your international travels—residents will appreciate your effort in learning their language and be more likely to help you.
Although Greek is the primary language of Greece, many residents and citizens also speak English, German, and French, so chances are if you start with a Greek hello, you can quickly admit your Greek isn't great and ask if the person speaks another language. This respect for culture is the first step in immersing yourself fully in Greek life on your vacation.
Common Greek Phrases
Greek citizens greet one another differently depending on the time of day. In the morning, tourists can say kalimera (kah-lee-MARE-ah) and in the afternoon can use kalomesimeri (kah-lo-messy-mary), though in practice, this is rarely heard and kalimera can be used both times of the day. However, kalispera (kah-lee-spare-ah) means 'good evening' and kalinikta (kah-lee-neek-tah) means 'good night,' so use these specific terms as appropriate.
On the other hand, 'Hello' can be said at any time by saying yai sas, yiassou, gaisou, or yasou (all pronounces yah-sooo); you can also use this word in parting or as a toast, though yia sas is more respectful and should be used with seniors and with almost anyone for extra politeness.
When asking for something in Greece, remember to say please by saying parakaló (par-ah-kah-LO), which can also mean 'huh' or a shortened version of 'please repeat that' or 'I beg your pardon.' Once you get something, you can then say efkharistó (eff-car-ee-STOH) to mean 'thank you'—if you're having trouble pronouncing this, just say 'If car I stole' but drop the last 'le.'
When getting directions, make sure to look out for deksiá (decks-yah) for 'right' and aristerá (ar-ee-stare-ah) for 'left.' However, if you're saying 'you're right' as a general affirmation, you would instead say entáksi (en-tohk-see). When asking for directions, you can say 'where is—' by saying 'Pou ine?' (poo-eeneh).
Now it's time to say goodbye! Antío sas (an-tyoh sahs) or just antío can be used interchangeably, like adios in Spanish, to both mean a form of goodbye!
Common Phrases In Greek For Travelers
Other Tips and Common Errors
Don't confuse 'yes' and 'no' in Greek—yes is né, which sounds like 'no' or 'nah' to English speakers, while no is ókhi or ochi, which sounds like 'okay' to English speakers, though in some areas it is said more softly, like oh-shee.
Avoid relying on your understanding of spoken directions. Get a good map to use as a visual aid when you ask, but make sure your informant knows where you are to start! Most maps in Greece show both Western letters and Greek letters, so whoever is helping you should be able to read it easily.
Basic Greek Phrases Pdf
Greek is an inflected language, which means that the tone and accent of the words change their meanings. If you mispronounce something, even words that look or sound alike to you, many Greeks truly will not understand what you meant—they are not being difficult; they really don't mentally classify their words the way you are saying them.
Basic Greek Phrases Audio
Getting nowhere? Try emphasizing a different syllable and have directions and names written down whenever possible.