Maybe you are planning a city break to the facsinating capital Athens, want to explore the beautiful Greek islands or just fancy a resort beach holiday, you really need to consider learning at least the basics of the language.

Learn 'hello', 'please' and 'thank you' is not only polite, but it is very satisfying to be able to converse with and impress the Greek people who are amongst the friendliest in Europe.  

You will be able to impress the locals and make your whole experience of travelling in Greece easier and more fun.

Below we have put together a guide to some of the easiest words and phrases to pick up, and don't worry they are easier to learn and memorize than you might think.

 

Greetings

  • Hello - Ghia su
  • Good morning - Kalimera
  • Good Afternoon - Kalispera 
  • Good night - Kalinihxta

 

Conversational 

  • How are you? - Ti ka'nete?
  • I'm well - Kala
  • It's good - Oraya
  • Do you speak - Milatay... 
  • English - Ag-glika
  • Do you speak English? - Milate Aglika?
  • I don't speak Greek - Den milao Ellinika

 

Polite

  • Excuse me - Signomi 
  • Please - Parakalo
  • Sorry - Signomi
  • Thank you - Efharisto

 

Basics

  • Yes - Ne  
  • No - Ohxi / Ohee

 

Shopping 

  • Too expensive - Polee akrivo
  • How much is this? - Posso Kanay Afto?
  • Do you have a toilet? - Eheeyete Too-aletta?

 

Food & Drink

  • Can I see a menu - Boroomay na doomay enna menoo
  • Can I pay the bill? - Boroomay na plirosoomay?
  • Cafe - Cafe or Kafeneio
  • I am a vegetarian - Eemay chortofagos
  • Milk - Galla
  • Water - Nerroh
  • Fish - Psari
  • Chicken - Kotopooloh
  • Lamb - Arr-nee
  • Salad - Salata
  • Potatoes - Patates
  • Fruit - Froota
  • Cheese - Tiree
  • Bread - Pso-mee 
  • Coffee - Elliniko
  • Juice - Xhimo
  • Orange - Portokali
  • Beer - Birra
  • Wine - Kras-si

 

Directions & Places

  • Hotel - Ksenodohxio 
  • Airport - Airodromio
  • Car - Afto-kinito
  • Where is - Poo eenay
  • How far is it? - Posso makria eenay?

 

Emergenices

  • I need a doctor: Kreeahzomeh yeeahktro

 

Days of the Week

  • Sunday - Keeriakee
  • Monday - Dehftehra
  • Tuesday - Treetee)
  • Wednesday - Tetartee
  • Thursday - Pemptee
  • Friday - Paraskevee
  • Saturday - Savatoh

 

Numbers 

  • 1 - Enna
  • 2 - Dio
  • 3 - Tria
  • 4 - Tessera
  • 5 - Penday
  • 6 - Exi
  • 7 - Efta
  • 8 - Ohxto
  • 9 - Ennaya
  • 10 - Deka
  • 20 - Ekosi
  • 30 - Trianda
  • 40 - Saranda
  • 50 - Peninda 
  • 60 - Exinda
  • 70 - Evdominda
  • 80 - Ohxdonda
  • 90 - Eneninda
  • 100 - Ekato
  • 200 - Dia-kosia 
  • 300 - Tria-kosia
  • 400 - Tetra-Kosia
  • 500 - Penta-kosia
  • 600 - Exa-kosia
  • 700 - Efta-kosia
  • 800 - Ohxta-kosia
  • 900 - Enaya-kosia
  • 1000 - Heelia
  • 10,000 - Deka-heeliadess
  • 100,000 - Ekato-heeliadess
  • 1,000,000 - Ena-Ekatomeerio
  • 2,000,000 - Dio-Ekatomeerio

 

Whether you are planning a short holiday or are considering Greece tours, you really need to visit this stunning country. We hope these phrases are useful when travel travel to Greece. If you really want to advance you level you might want to check out our guide to the best Greek language schools who can help you to improve your speaking, reading and writing.