Essential Greek Phrases

 
 

to know before you go…

Survival Phrases

 

When traveling to Greece, it's helpful to know some essential Greek phrases to make your trip more enjoyable and convenient. Here are some common phrases with phonetic pronunciations:

  1. Hello / Hi:

    • Greek: Γειά σας (Yia sas)

    • Phonetic: yee-AH sahs

  2. Good morning:

    • Greek: Καλημέρα (Kalimera)

    • Phonetic: Kah-lee-MEH-rah

  3. Good afternoon / Good evening:

    • Greek: Καλησπέρα (Kalispera)

    • Phonetic: Kah-lee-SPE-rah

  4. Good night:

    • Greek: Καληνύχτα (Kalinichta)

    • Phonetic: Kah-lee-NEEKH-tah

  5. Yes / No:

    • Greek: Ναι (Ne) / Όχι (Ochi)

    • Phonetic: Neh / OH-hee

  6. Please:

    • Greek: Παρακαλώ (Parakalo)

    • Phonetic: Pah-rah-kah-LOH

  7. Thank you:

    • Greek: Ευχαριστώ (Efcharisto)

    • Phonetic: Ef-khah-ree-STOH

  8. Excuse me / Sorry:

    • Greek: Συγγνώμη (Signomi)

    • Phonetic: Seegh-NOH-mee

  9. Do you speak English?

    • Greek: Μιλάτε Αγγλικά; (Milate Anglika?)

    • Phonetic: Mee-LAH-teh Ahng-glee-KAH?

  10. I don't understand:

    • Greek: Δεν καταλαβαίνω (Den katalavéno)

    • Phonetic: Then kah-tah-lah-VEH-noh

  11. How much is this?

    • Greek: Πόσο κοστίζει αυτό; (Poso kostizi afto?)

    • Phonetic: POH-soh kohs-TEE-zee ahf-TOH?

  12. Where is the bathroom?

    • Greek: Πού είναι η τουαλέτα; (Pou einai ee tooaleta?)

    • Phonetic: Poo EE-neh ee too-ah-LEH-tah?

  13. I need help:

    • Greek: Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια (Hriázo-meh voíthia)

    • Phonetic: Hree-AH-zoh-meh voh-EE-thee-ah

  14. My name is [Your Name]:

    • Greek: Το όνομά μου είναι [Your Name] (To óno-má mou í-ne [Your Name])

    • Phonetic: Toh OH-noh-mah moo EE-neh [Your Name]

  15. Water:

    • Greek: Νερό (Nero)

    • Phonetic: neh-ROH

  16. Food:

    • Greek: Φαγητό (Fagito)

    • Phonetic: Fah-yee-TOH

  17. Cheers! (when toasting):

    • Greek: ΥΓΕΙΑ! (Yia)

    • Phonetic: yee-AH!

  18. I'm lost:

    • Greek: Έχασα το δρόμο (Échasa to drómo)

    • Phonetic: EH-khah-sah toh DROH-moh

  19. Help!:

    • Greek: Βοήθεια! (Voíthia)

    • Phonetic: voh-EE-thee-ah!

  20. Can you recommend a restaurant?

    • Greek: Μπορείτε να προτείνετε ένα εστιατόριο; (Boreíte na protínete éna estiatório?)

    • Phonetic: Boh-REE-teh nah proh-TEEH-neh-teh EH-nah ehs-tee-ah-TOH-ree-oh?

Learning a few basic Greek phrases will go a long way in making your trip to Greece more enjoyable and building positive interactions with the locals.