Greek phrases and words

Are you going to Greece? Then it might be a good idea to learn a few Greek words and phrases. Although most working in the tourism industry speaks fluent or reasonably good English, it is always appreciated to pull out some Greek phrases during the trip.

The Greeks are very friendly and welcoming in general, but it is highly appreciated if one tries to say a few words or phrases in Greek.

I have spent a lot of time in Greece, both working and been on vacation, so of course, I’ve been able to learn some Greek phrases. Below, I’ve made a list of some useful Greek phrases for your trip.

Greek greeting phrases

Although many Greeks understand English, and some other languages too, it may be nice to say hello, good morning and goodbye in Greek. Kalimera is a word that you should learn and remember. It means good morning, and it’s said from early morning to lunch, and it is a nice way to greet people in the morning.

Useful Greek Phrases to remember

Below, you can see some daily phrases in Greek that will help you understand and make small talk. Remember these!

Meals

Greek words for food and beverages

Here are some common food & drink related Greek words.

Directions

To be able to ask where something is located is always good, and here are some common Greek phrases for directions and how to ask.

Greek numbers

To count in Greek language can seem to be hard, but in fact, it’s quite easy when you get the hang of it.

Please note that the spelling might be wrong, as I’ve written the Greek numbers as they are pronounced.

How to say thank you in Greek

• Efcharisto – Ef-ha-ri-sto

How to say I love you in Greek

• S’agapo – sa-ga-po

How to say you’re welcome in Greek

• Parakalo – pa-ra-ka-lo

How to say cheers in Greek

• Giamas – Ya-Mas

Learn Greek

If you want to learn the Greek language, there are apps available to help with pronunciation before traveling. A good and useful app is Duolingo, which is available for download, both on Android and iPhone.

You can probably also learn Greek in your home country in a school if you’re serious about learning. But for most tourists, it’s more than enough to know the Greek words and phrases listed in this article.

Nobody is expecting that you will learn Greek when traveling to Greece. In fact, most don’t even expect a single word in Greek. The Greeks are used to tourism, and they are very friendly and accommodating.

They know how to treat tourists the best way. But with that said, I highly recommend you to pick up some common daily phrases in Greek, to use at restaurants, the hotel or when meeting locals. Don’t be afraid to talk either, the worst thing that could happen is that you pronounce something wrong and give a local a good laugh.

And if there is one country to make an effort speaking the local language, Greece is perfect. Simply because it’s appreciated when tourists make an effort to learn a few Greek words and phrases.

Do you know some more useful Greek phrases or words? Please share in the comment section. The more, the merrier.