English |
Greek (Phonetic) |
Greek (Greek Alphabet) |
When to Use / Notes |
| Hello / Hi | Yassou (casual) / Yassas (formal) | Γεια σου / Γεια σας | Use Yassou with friends; Yassas with strangers or elders |
| Good morning | Kaliméra | Καλημέρα | Use until about noon |
| Good afternoon/evening | Kalispéra | Καλησπέρα | After noon / early evening |
| Good night | Kalinyhta | Καληνύχτα | Use when leaving or going to bed |
| Goodbye | Antío / Yassas | Αντίο / Γεια σας | Yassas is more commonly used for goodbye |
| Please | Parakaló | Παρακαλώ | Also means "you're welcome" |
| Thank you | Efharistó | Ευχαριστώ | Always appreciated! |
| Yes | Nai | Ναι | Easy to confuse—sounds like "no" |
| No | Ohi | Όχι | Pronounced "oh-hee" |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Signómi | Συγγνώμη | Useful when bumping into someone |
| Do you speak English? | Miláte angliká? | Μιλάτε αγγλικά; | Handy when you need help |
| I don’t understand | Den katalavéno | Δεν καταλαβαίνω | Very useful when you're lost in translation |
| How much is it? | Póso kostí? | Πόσο κοστίζει; | For shopping or dining |
| The bill, please | To logariasmó, parakaló | Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | In restaurants or cafés |
| Where is the toilet? | Pou íne i toualéta? | Πού είναι η τουαλέτα; | Essential question! |
| Cheers! | Yiamas! | Γειά μας! | When toasting with drinks |
| Water | Neró | Νερό | Still or sparkling = stilló / anthrakoucho |
| Beer | Bíra | Μπύρα | Ask for míkrí (small) or megáli (large) |
| Wine | Krasí | Κρασί | Kokkino = red, lefkó = white |
| Beach | Paralía | Παραλία | You'll probably say this one a lot! |
| I love Greece! | Agapó tin Elláda! | Αγαπώ την Ελλάδα! | Locals will love hearing this |