Understanding the Greek language can significantly enhance your travel experience in Greece. While many Greeks, especially in tourist areas, speak English, learning some basic Greek phrases will not only help you navigate the country more effectively but also endear you to the locals. Greek is a beautiful language with a rich history, and even a small effort to communicate in Greek can lead to more meaningful interactions.

Greek is an inflected language, meaning that the endings of words change based on their grammatical role in a sentence. This can make it a bit challenging for beginners, but with practice, you can become comfortable with its structure. The pronunciation can also differ from English; for instance, Greek has sounds that may not exist in English, such as the letter “χ” (chi), which is pronounced like the “ch” in “Bach.”

To aid your learning, this guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases organized into useful categories for travelers.

Numbers

Greek	Pronunciation
1	Ένα (EH-nah)
2	Δύο (DEE-oh)
3	Τρία (TREE-ah)
4	Τέσσερα (TEHS-seh-rah)
5	Πέντε (PEHN-deh)
10	Δέκα (DE-kah)
100	Εκατό (EKA-toh)

Days of the Week

Greek	Pronunciation
Monday	Δευτέρα (Def-TEH-ra)
Tuesday	Τρίτη (TREE-tee)
Wednesday	Τετάρτη (Te-TAR-tee)
Thursday	Πέμπτη (PEM-tee)
Friday	Παρασκευή (Par-as-KEV-ee)
Saturday	Σάββατο (SAV-va-to)
Sunday	Κυριακή (Kee-ree-AH-kee)

Months

Greek	Pronunciation
January	Ιανουάριος (Yanu-AR-ios)
February	Φεβρουάριος (Fevru-AR-ios)
March	Μάρτιος (MAR-tios)
April	Απρίλιος (A-PREE-lios)
May	Μάιος (MA-yos)
June	Ιούνιος (YOUN-ios)
July	Ιούλιος (YOO-lios)
August	Αύγουστος (AV-goos-tos)
September	Σεπτέμβριος (Sep-TEM-vrios)
October	Οκτώβριος (Ok-TOV-vrios)
November	Νοέμβριος (No-EM-vrios)
December	Δεκέμβριος (De-KEM-vrios)

Greetings

• Γεια σας (YAH sahs) – Hello
• Καλημέρα (kah-lee-MEH-rah) – Good morning
• Καλησπέρα (kah-lee-SPER-ah) – Good evening
• Καληνύχτα (kah-lee-NEEKH-tah) – Goodnight

Polite Expressions

• Παρακαλώ (par-ah-kah-LOH) – Please
• Ευχαριστώ (ef-hah-rees-TOH) – Thank you
• Συγγνώμη (seeg-NO-me) – Excuse me / Sorry

Here are some common polite expressions in Greek that will be useful for travelers. Understanding and using these phrases can enhance your interactions with locals, showing respect and appreciation for their culture.

Common Polite Expressions in Greek

English Expression	Greek Expression	Pronunciation
Hello (informal)	Γεια σου	Yia sou
Hello (formal)	Γεια σας	Yia sas
Good morning	Καλημέρα	Kalimera
Good evening	Καλησπέρα	Kalispera
Good night	Καληνύχτα	Kalinichta
Please	Παρακαλώ	Parakalo
Thank you	Ευχαριστώ	Efharisto
Thank you very much	Ευχαριστώ πολύ	Efharisto poli
Yes	Ναι	Ne
No	Όχι	Ochi
Excuse me (to get someone’s attention)	Συγγνώμη	Signomi
Excuse me (to get past someone)	Συγγνώμη	Signomi
I’m sorry (for something you did)	Συγγνώμη	Signomi
I’m sorry (for sad news)	Λυπάμαι	Lipame
Cheers! (when drinking)	Γεια μας!	Yamas!
Enjoy your meal	Καλή όρεξη	Kali orexi
Bless you (after sneezing)	Γείτσες	Yitse
Sir, Mr.	Κύριε	Kyrie
Ma’am, Mrs.	Κυρία	Kyriá
Miss	Δεσποινίς	Despoinís

Usage Examples

Greetings:

• Γεια σου, Μαρία! (Yia sou, Maria!) – Hello, Maria!
• Καλημέρα! Πώς είστε; (Kalimera! Pos iste?) – Good morning! How are you?

Expressing Gratitude:

• Ευχαριστώ πολύ! (Efharisto poli!) – Thank you very much!
• Παρακαλώ, περάστε. (Parakalo, peraste.) – Please, go ahead.

Polite Requests and Apologies:

• Συγγνώμη, πού είναι η τουαλέτα; (Signomi, pou ine i toualeta?) – Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
• Λυπάμαι για την αναστάτωση. (Lipame gia tin anastatosi.) – I’m sorry for the disturbance.

Using these expressions will not only help you communicate effectively but also show your willingness to engage with the local culture. Greeks appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak their language, even if it’s just a few words.

Basic Shopping Phrases

• Πόσο κοστίζει; (POH-soh koh-STEE-zee?) – How much does it cost?
• Θέλω να αγοράσω… (THE-lo nah agor-AH-so…) – I want to buy…

Ordering Food

• Μενού (meh-NOO) – Menu
• Θα ήθελα… (THA EE-theh-lah…) – I would like…

Transportation Terms

• Ταξί (tahk-SEE) – Taxi
• Πού είναι το μετρό; (poo EE-ne toh meh-TROH?) – Where is the metro?

Directions

• Αριστερά (ah-rees-teh-RAH) – Left
• Δεξιά (thek-see-AH) – Right
• Μπροστά (broh-STAH) – Straight ahead

Hotel and Accommodation Vocabulary

• Δωμάτιο (tho-MAH-ti-o) – Room
• Κλειδιά (klee-DYA) – Keys

Emergency Phrases

• Βοήθεια! (voh-EETH-ee-ah!) – Help!
• Χρειάζομαι έναν γιατρό. (Hree-AH-zoh-meh EH-nan ya-TROH.) – I need a doctor.

Common Questions

• Πώς σε λένε; (Pos seh LEH-ne?) – What is your name?

Weather Terms

• Κρύο (KREE-oh) – Cold
• Ζέστη (ZEST-ee) – Hot

Cultural Etiquette Phrases

Understanding local customs can enhance your experience:

• Καλή όρεξη! (Kah-LI or-EK-see!) – Enjoy your meal.

Health and Medical Terms

Familiarize yourself with basic health-related vocabulary:

• Φάρμακο (FAR-mah-koh) – Medicine

Dining Etiquette

When dining out, polite expressions are key:

• Στην υγειά σας! (Steen ee-YAH-sas!) – Cheers!

Local Attractions Vocabulary

Learn terms related to sightseeing:

• Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο (Ar-chee-o-lo-GEE-koh Moo-SAY-oh) – Archaeological Museum

Currency and Payment Terms

Essential for shopping and dining:

• Πιστωτική κάρτα (Pee-sto-TIK-ee KAR-ta) – Credit card

Social Interactions

Engaging with locals:

• Τι κάνεις; (Tee KAH-nees?) – How are you?

Compliments and Small Talk

Building rapport:

• Είσαι πολύ όμορφος/όμορφη. (EE-seh poh-LI O-mor-fos/O-mor-fi.) – You are very beautiful/handsome.

By familiarizing yourself with these phrases and vocabulary, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy your time in Greece. Practice regularly, and don’t hesitate to engage with locals—most will appreciate your effort to speak their language.

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• Basic Language Learning Guide For Travelers To Greece
• Common Misconceptions – Greece
• Currency Guide – Greece
• Essential Travel Tips for Greece
• Geographical Regions of Greece
• Greece [Country Info]
• Popular Cities To Visit In Greece
• Popular Foods In Greece
• Popular Museums To Visit In Greece
• Safety Guide For Travelers To Greece
• Top 50 Things To Do In Greece
• Top Historical Places To Visit In Greece