Greek Language - Learn Basic Greek Words And Phrases

The Greek language is considered as one of the most difficult languages to learn. This page is not going to teach you how to speak Greek but you can learn some basic Greek words and phrases in order to impress your friends in Greece. As it happens in every country, people in Greece will be glad to hear you trying to speak their language. Even if all you can say is "kalimera" or "Yassou", people will smile and open up.

Learn Greetings in Greek :

In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in bold script

kalimera = good morning. Used both when coming to and going away from a place.

kalispera = good afternoon. Used only when coming to a place or meeting someone in the evening or at night.

kalinihta = good night. Used only as a goodbye greeting in the evening or at night.

herete (e as in egg) = hello, used between 10:00 and 14:00

yassou = hello or goodbye (greeting to one person or a friend)

yassas = hello or goodbye (greeting to more persons or a more formal and polite way to greet an unknown person)

adio = goodbye

Yassou file mou Niko = Hello my friend Niko, an easy way to please a Greek friend of yours.

Learn Common Greek Phrases

In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in bold script

Efharisto = Thank you

Parakalo = Your Welcome

Milate Anglika? = Do you speak English?

Milate Yermanika? = Do you speak German?

Then katalaveno = I don't understand

Pos se lene? = What is your name?

Me lene ... = My name is ...

Apo pou eisai? = Where are you from?

Eimai apo Anglia = I am from England

Thelo ena kafe = I want a coffee

Thelo ena tsai = I want a tea

Thelo mia mpira = I want a beer

Thelo ena poto = I want a drink

Thelo ena thomatio = I want a room

Ehete thomatio? = Do you have a room?

ya mia mera = for one day

ya thio meres = for two days