Learn the job of the phrase
Start with meaning, situation, and sound
A useful phrase is more than a line to repeat. Know who you would say it to, whether it is informal or polite, and what kind of reply may follow. That context makes the phrase easier to retrieve in a real conversation.
The pronunciation lines below are beginner cues, not a complete representation of Modern Greek sound. Read the Greek, notice the written stress mark, and listen to native speech whenever you can. Move away from transliteration as the alphabet becomes familiar.
A practical starter set
Twenty-two everyday Greek phrases
Γεια σου.
Yia sou.Hello / goodbye.Informal, for one person you know.Γεια σας.
Yia sas.Hello / goodbye.Polite for one person, or for a group.Καλημέρα.
Kaliméra.Good morning.A friendly greeting earlier in the day.Καλησπέρα.
Kalispéra.Good evening.Use when arriving later in the day.Καληνύχτα.
Kaliníhta.Good night.A farewell when someone is going to bed or leaving late.Ευχαριστώ.
Efharistó.Thank you.The stress falls on the final syllable.Παρακαλώ.
Parakaló.Please / you’re welcome.Useful in requests and as a reply to thanks.Συγγνώμη.
Signómi.Excuse me / sorry.Use to get attention or apologise.Ναι.
Ne.Yes.It sounds closer to “ne” than the English word “nay”.Όχι.
Óhi.No.The χ is a Greek sound, not an English k.Τι κάνεις;
Ti kánis?How are you?Informal, for one person.Τι κάνετε;
Ti kánete?How are you?Polite, or for more than one person.Είμαι καλά.
Íme kalá.I’m fine.A simple answer to a greeting.Χάρηκα.
Hárika.Pleased to meet you.A natural short expression after an introduction.Τα λέμε.
Ta léme.See you.Literally, “we’ll talk”.Δεν καταλαβαίνω.
Den katalavéno.I don’t understand.A valuable phrase for keeping a conversation manageable.Πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.
Pio argá, parakaló.More slowly, please.Ask someone to slow down.Μιλάτε αγγλικά;
Miláte angliká?Do you speak English?Polite or plural form.Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;
Poú íne i tualéta?Where is the toilet?A complete everyday question.Πόσο κάνει;
Póso káni?How much is it?Useful in shops, cafés, and markets.Θα ήθελα αυτό.
Tha íthela aftó.I would like this.A polite way to choose something.Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;
Boríte na me voithísete?Can you help me?Polite form for asking for help.
Choose the right form
Informal, polite, and plural Greek
Greek often marks the relationship between speakers. Use σου forms and a singular verb with a friend, relative, child, or someone who has invited informality. Use σας forms and a plural verb for more than one person or as a polite form for one person.
That is why Τι κάνεις; and Τι κάνετε; both mean “How are you?” The second is plural or polite. When unsure in a service or first-meeting situation, the polite form is a sensible starting point.
Build reusable chunks
Change one part, keep the pattern
The question Πού είναι…; means “Where is…?” Add a place you need. The request frame Θα ήθελα… means “I would like…” and can introduce an item or service. Παρακαλώ fits naturally at the end of many requests.
Πού είναι το ξενοδοχείο;
Poú íne to xenodohío?Where is the hotel?Replace the place to reuse the question.Θα ήθελα έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ.
Tha íthela énan kafé, parakaló.I would like a coffee, please.A polite request built from a reusable frame.Μιλάτε πιο αργά, παρακαλώ;
Miláte pio argá, parakaló?Could you speak more slowly, please?A fuller alternative to the short phrase above.
Practise retrieval
Turn the list into conversation
- Choose five phrases for one situation.
- Listen and repeat each phrase slowly, following the written stress.
- Cover the English and retrieve the meaning from the Greek.
- Cover the Greek and say the phrase from the situation.
- Put two lines together as a question and reply.
- Return the next day before adding more.
A smaller set you can recognise and use is more valuable than a long list you have only read once.
From phrase list to real use
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