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How do you say it in Greek?

Examples of basic Greek phrases you will learn with the tutor..

 

The Basics

Yes = Ne (Ναι) à pronunciation is nae

That’s right, the Greek ‘yes’ sounds very much like the English ‘no’. Keep that in mind!

No = Ohi (Όχι) à pronunciation is OHchee (the ‘ch’ makes a sound like the ‘wh’ in ‘who’)

Excuse Me = Sygnomi (Συγγνώμη) à pronunciation is seegNOHmee

You can attract attention by saying this phrase. You can use it basically the same way we use ‘sorry’ in English, and you can also use it to apologize.

I Don’t Understand = Den katalaveno (δεν καταλαβαίνω) à pronunciation is den (as in ‘then’) katalaVAEnoh

It’s always good practice to know how to say you don’t understand when faced with rapid, enthusiastic Greek, or any other language for that matter!

I Don’t Speak Greek = Den milao Ellinika (δεν μιλάω Ελληνικά) à pronunciation is den (as in ‘then’) meeLAHoh elleeneeKA

Again, it’s good practice to let people know you don’t actually speak the language, in their own language! It’s going to be a great ice breaker and they will be inclined to accommodate you, even though pantomime!

Do You Speak…? = Milate …? (μιλάτε…;) à pronunciation is meeLAHte…?

Use this phrase and add the word for the language you want.

Can You Help Me? = Boreite na me voithisete? (μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;) à pronunciation is boREEte na me voeeTHEEsete?

Use this phrase to ask for assistance or help that isn’t necessarily urgent or a call for a rescue.

Greetings in Greek

Hi – Bye = Geia Sas (Γειά σας) à pronunciation is yeeA sas

First off, you need a generic “hi / bye” which you can use for all occasions. Use “Geia Sas” when attracting someone’s attention or when entering or leaving a room. It works for everything!

Good morning = Kalimera (Καλημέρα) à pronunciation is kaliMEra

Good morning is another word you should know. It brings smiles on the faces of everyone you tell it to! You can say “good morning” until noon (i.e. 12:00). After that, and for the next few hours, just stick to “Geia Sas” (the ‘hi/bye’ default).

Good evening = Kalispera (Καλησπέρα) à pronunciation is kaliSPEra

Good evening is the greeting to use from about 4 in the afternoon. If you want to be super strict with its use, you can use it right after noon (i.e. 12:00).

Good night = Kalinihta (Καληνύχτα) à pronunciation is kaliNIHta

We say good night only when we are leaving and it is at least around 9 o clock in the evening. When you say kalinihta you are signaling that you are either going to bed, returning home for the night, or assume that the other person will.

Asking Directions in Greek

How Do I Go To … = Pos pao sto… (πώς πάω στο…) à pronunciation is as you read it

The best way to ask how to go to any place. Just add the name of the place at the end of the phrase.

Can You Write It Down For Me? = Mou to grafete? (μου το γράφετε) à pronunciation is moo toh GRAfete?

It is good practice to ask for a local to write down the destination you wish to go to, so that you can just show it to a Greek and get directions without getting entangled in tough pronunciations. Works really well with taxi drivers, too.

I Am Looking For … = Psahno ton … (ψάχνω τον) à pronunciation is psAHnoh ton (the ‘h’ makes a sound as in ‘here’)

Use this phrase, adding the place or person you are looking for right after. Know that you will probably make a mistake with the pronoun, as the pronouns are gendered for every noun, but it doesn’t matter. People will understand you. Bonus points if you start with ‘excuse me, I am looking for…’

Food and Drink in Greek

Could I have…? = Boro na eho … (μπορώ να έχω) à pronunciation is bohROH na EHhoh

This is the most efficient way to ask for any food or beverage in a polite manner. In truth, you can use it to ask for anything you want. If you don’t know the word of the thing you want, just point!

Cheers! = Geia mas! (γειά μας) à pronunciation is yeeAH mas!

This is the phrase to use when you’re raising your glasses to toast when with company at your table!

Some Essential Greek Vocabulary

Here are some Greek words to know for use with the basic phrases.

Airport = Aerodromio (αεροδρόμιο) à pronunciation is aerohDROmeeo (the ‘d’ makes a sound as in ‘the’)

Train Station = Stathmos Trenou (σταθμός τραίνου) à pronunciation is stahthMOSS TRAEnou

Bus = Leoforeio (λεωφορείο) à pronunciation is leofohREEoh

Taxi = Taxi (ταξί) à pronunciation is taXI

Bathroom/ toilets = Toualeta (τουαλέτα) à pronunciation is tooahLETta

Hotel = Xenodohio (ξενοδοχείο) à pronunciation is ksenohDOHheeoh (the ‘d’ makes a sound as in ‘the’)

Water = Nero (νερό) à pronunciation is nehROH

Food = Fagito (φαγητό) à pronunciation is fahyeeTOH

Bill = Logariasmos (λογαριασμός) à pronunciation is logahreeasMOSS

Drugstore/ Pharmacy = Farmakio (φαρμακείο) à pronunciation is pharmahKEEoh

English = Agglika (Αγγλικά) à pronunciation is aggleeKAH

 

General Greek Phrases

Thank you = Efharisto (ευχαριστώ) à pronunciation is efhariSTOH

Thank you is ubiquitous in every culture, and it always helps give a flair of politeness.

You’re welcome = Parakalo (παρακαλώ) à pronunciation is parakaLOH

If anyone tells you “thank you”, this is the word to say back to them!

How much does it cost? =Poso kanei (πόσο κάνει) à pronunciation is POHso KAnee

For any occasion where you need to know the price for something, this is the phrase to use!

Help! = Voitheia! (βοήθεια) à pronunciation is vohEEtheea

Use this word when you need assistance in an emergency. Don’t use it if you need non-alarming help. Instead use the other phrase mentioned here, ‘can you help me?’