Greek Greetings and Useful Expressions

Hello and goodbye

Γεια σου or Γεια σας?

Γεια σου is informal and singular. Use it with a friend, relative, child, or someone you address informally. Γεια σας is plural, but it is also the polite singular form used with someone you do not know or want to address respectfully. Both can work when arriving or leaving.

• Γεια σου!

  Yia sou!Hello! / Bye!Informal, for one person.

• Γεια σας!

  Yia sas!Hello! / Goodbye!Polite for one person, or for a group.

• Γεια!

  Yia!Hi! / Bye!Short and casual.

Match the moment

Morning, evening, and night

Καλημέρα is a greeting used in the morning and into the earlier part of the day. Καλησπέρα is used when greeting someone later in the day or evening. Καληνύχτα means good night and is normally a farewell rather than a greeting on arrival.

• Καλημέρα.

  Kaliméra.Good morning.Warm and widely useful.

• Καλημέρα σας.

  Kaliméra sas.Good morning.A more explicitly polite form.

• Καλησπέρα.

  Kalispéra.Good evening.Use on arrival later in the day.

• Καληνύχτα.

  Kaliníhta.Good night.Use when parting at night.

Continue the greeting

How are you?

The informal question is Τι κάνεις;. The polite or plural question is Τι κάνετε;. In an everyday exchange, the reply can be short. You do not need to translate the English formula word by word.

• Τι κάνεις;

  Ti kánis?How are you?Informal singular.

• Τι κάνετε;

  Ti kánete?How are you?Polite singular or plural.

• Καλά, ευχαριστώ. Εσύ;

  Kalá, efharistó. Esí?Fine, thank you. And you?Informal reply.

• Πολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ. Εσείς;

  Polí kalá, efharistó. Esís?Very well, thank you. And you?Polite or plural reply.

Introductions and farewells

Pleased to meet you and see you later

Χάρηκα is a natural short expression after meeting someone. Τα λέμε is an informal “See you”, literally suggesting that you will speak again. Αντίο is a clear goodbye, while repeating Γεια σου or Γεια σας is also common when leaving.

• Χάρηκα.

  Hárika.Pleased to meet you.Use after an introduction.

• Τα λέμε.

  Ta léme.See you.Informal and friendly.

• Αντίο.

  Adío.Goodbye.A direct farewell.

Sound warm, not rehearsed

Use greetings with attention to context

A greeting changes with the relationship, setting, and time of day. In a shop or hotel, a simple Καλημέρα σας or Καλησπέρα σας is polite and natural. With a friend, Γεια σου followed by Τι κάνεις; creates an easy opening. You may hear speakers shorten, combine, or repeat these expressions in quick conversation.

Do not treat Τι κάνεις; as a request for a detailed personal report every time. Like “How are you?”, it often opens a brief social exchange. A reply such as Καλά, ευχαριστώ is enough, and returning the question with Εσύ; or polite Εσείς; keeps the exchange balanced.

Body language and tone also carry warmth. Listen for the whole rhythm rather than pronouncing every word as an isolated item. Practise the opening and reply together so you are ready for the line that comes back.

Put it together

A polite first exchange