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 |