Make sure to pick up the 26 useful Greek phrases from our article below, so you’ll be able to communicate while on your vacation in Greece!
Greece is a beautiful country, full of culture and history. From exploring ancient ruins to soaking up the sun on the beaches, you’ll never run out of things to do there.
Knowing some basic Greek language will help you navigate through the country more effortlessly, get directions from locals, ask questions at restaurants and even meet new friends!
Here are 26 useful Greek phrases for your next trip:
1) Γεια σας – Gia sas – Hello
2) Ευχαριστώ – Efcharisto – Thank You
3) Πώς είστε; – Pos iste? – How are you?
4) Μπορώ να σας βοηθήσω; – Boro na sas voithiso? – Can I help you?
5) Πού μπορώ να αγοράσω τα ακόλουθα πράγματα; – Pu boro na agoraso ta akolutha pragmata? – Where can I buy the following things?
6) Δεν καταλαβαίνω – Den katalaveno – I don’t understand
7) Τι σημαίνει αυτό; – Ti simeni afto – What does this mean?
8) Μπορείτε να μου προσφέρετε μια δωρεάν ανταλλαγή; – Borite na mu prosferete mia dorean antalagi? – Can you offer me a free exchange?
9) Μιλάτε Αγγλικά; – Milate anglika? – Do you speak English?
10) Εσείς ποιος είστε; – Esis pios iste? – Who are you?
11) Πού μπορώ να βρω αυτό το πράγμα; – Pu boro na vro afto to pragma? – Where can I find this thing?
12) Πώς σε λένε; – Pos se lene? – What is your name?
13) Θα σας τo πληρώσω – Tha sas to pliroso – I will pay for it
14) Θα σας στείλω ηλεκτρονικά – Tha sas to stilo ilektronika – I will send it over the internet
15) Θέλω να κάνω μια κράτηση – Thelo na kano mia kratisi – Make a reservation
16) Μπορείτε να μου προσφέρετε εναλλακτικές; – Borite na mou prosfere enalaktikes? – Can you offer me alternatives?
17) Δεν συμφωνώ – Den simfono – I don’t agree
18) Που θα μπορούσα να τηλεφωνήσω; – Pu tha borusa na tilefoniso? – Where could I call?
19) Σε αγαπώ – Se agapo – I love you
20) Ελάτε μαζί μου – Elate mazi mu – Come with me
21) Ποιος εκείνος; – Pios ine ekinos? – Who is that?
22) Ποια ημερομηνία αυτη; – Pia imerominia ine afti? – What date is it?
23) Μπορείτε να μας βγάλετε μια φωτογραφία; – Borite na mas vgalete mia fotografia? – Can you take us a photo?
24) Δεν μπορώ να το στείλω – De boro na to stilo – I cannot send it
25) Τι συμβαίνει; – Ti simveni? – What is going on?
26) Συγγνώμη – Signomi – Sorry
The Greek language is unusual in that it employs the same term to represent a wide range of emotions. ‘Signomi,’ for example, is the Greek word meaning both ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘pardon me.’
As a result, if you’re being courteous in a busy gathering and want to use the restroom, you’ll have to go through the throng while saying ‘signomi’ to everyone you meet.
Check out these basic Greek phrases!
Aside learning the most frequent Greek phrases, we supplement your entire Greek-speaking experience with some simple terms. The table below contains the most frequent Greek terms that you may wish to employ!
| Hello | Yia sou |
| Goodbye | Antio |
| Good morning | Kalimera |
| Goodnight | Kalinihta |
| Yes | Ne |
| No | Ochi |
| Sorry! | Signomi! |
| Please | Parakalo |
| Cheers! | Yia mas! |
| Help! | Voithia! |
Useful Greek phrases for Eating Out
| How much is it? | Poso kani? |
| Do you accept credit cards? | Dexeste pistotikes kartes? |
| Do you offer vegetarian food? | Prosferete fagito gia chortofagous? |
| May I see the menu, please? | Boro na do to menou, parakalo? |
| We would like to order, please | Tha thelame na paragkiloume, parakalo |
| Is there a local specialty? | Iparchi kapia topiki spesialite? |
| We would like to pay, please | Tha thelame na plirosume, parakalo |
| The food was delicious! | To fagito itan nostimo! |
| Could I have some water? | Tha borusa na echo ligo nero? |
| Could I get a freddo espresso/cappuccino, please? | Tha borusa na echo ena freddo espresso/cappuccino, parakalo? |
Is it close to 40 degrees Celsius in the midst of summer in Greece, and you want something cool to drink to start your day?
You’re in Greece so this is maybe the greatest spot in the world to grab an iced coffee. Coffee is a very important and vital aspect of the ordinary Greek’s consumer habits, thus you won’t be able to go down the street without coming across a shop that sells it.
Even with low-cost coffee makers, you can make iced espresso or iced cappuccino. Please keep in mind that ‘ena’ signifies one in Greek, therefore if you want more than one, you must substitute another word or a hand signal. Simply say, ‘Tha ithela ena freddo espresso/cappuccino parakalo’.
The most famous Greek phrase!
“Opa” is one of the most helpful Greek phrases/words to know while you’re out having fun! A classic Greek phrase that is almost always heard in the Greek streets.
It has a powerful ability to bring people together during celebrations and is used to indicate enthusiasm or even excitement – A celebratory exclamation.
How to get on the streets
| I am lost | Chathika |
| Turn left | Stripse aristera |
| Turn right | Stripse dexia |
| Go straight ahead | Pigene efthia |
| Go back | Pigene piso |
| Stop | Stamata |
| Exit | Exodos |
| Where is the…? | Pou ine to…? |
| Where can I find the…? | Pou mporo na vro to…? |
| I would like to go to… | Tha ithela na pao… |
| Where is the nearest ATM? | Pou einai to kontinotero ATM? |
Learn these Greek phrases before your trip!
Although the vast majority of Greeks in tourist regions do know at least a basic level of English, they just like socialising and engaging in interesting discussions with international tourists.
So, if you want to have a nice and amusing exchange of mocking comments with several Greeks, using any of the above useful Greek phrases would suffice! Even if you annihilate these basic Greek words, trying to speak Greek will be a lot of fun!
Whether you’re taking a road trip through the Greek islands or just want to learn some key phrases before your next vacation, these 25 Greek phrases will help you get started.
With this knowledge in hand, you’ll be able to communicate with locals, ask questions and fully immerse yourself in the culture!
Καλή Τύχη – Kali tichi (Good Luck)!
