50 Basic Greek Phrases for Beginners

How to use these Greek phrases

Choose five expressions for a situation you expect to meet, such as greeting a neighbour or ordering lunch. Read the meaning and usage note, say each phrase aloud, then try to recall it with the Greek covered. Knowing a small set well gives you something to use when a conversation starts.

Transliteration is a beginner aid, not an exact pronunciation system. An accent in a cue such as kaliméra marks the stressed syllable. Here, ou sounds roughly like “oo”, y like the start of “yes”, and th like “think”. The d in den represents Greek δ, the voiced “th” in “this”; h represents Greek χ, a friction sound rather than English h. Listen as well as reading, and gradually use the Greek alphabet and pronunciation guide to read the script itself.

For a broader path through lessons, listening and review, follow our beginner’s guide to learning Greek.

Greetings

• 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.

• Τα λέμε.

  Ta léme.See you.Literally, “we’ll talk”.

Polite phrases

• 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.

• Ευχαριστώ πολύ.

  Efharistó polí.Thank you very much.Add πολύ for extra warmth.

• Δεν πειράζει.

  Den pirázi.It’s OK / never mind.Reassure someone after a small mistake.

• Με συγχωρείτε.

  Me sinhoríte.Excuse me.A polite way to interrupt or get attention.

Everyday conversation

• 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.

• Με λένε…

  Me léne…My name is…Add your name to introduce yourself.

• Μαθαίνω ελληνικά.

  Mathéno elliniká.I’m learning Greek.Explain why you may need a little time to reply.

Restaurant and café

• Ένα τραπέζι για δύο, παρακαλώ.

  Éna trapézi ya dío, parakaló.A table for two, please.Change the number for your group.

• Έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ.

  Énan kafé, parakaló.A coffee, please.A simple order using the form έναν with καφέ.

• Ένα μπουκάλι νερό, παρακαλώ.

  Éna boukáli neró, parakaló.A bottle of water, please.A complete practical request.

• Το μενού, παρακαλώ.

  To menú, parakaló.The menu, please.A short, polite request at a taverna or café.

• Τι προτείνετε;

  Ti protínete?What do you recommend?Polite or plural form.

• Χωρίς κρέας, παρακαλώ.

  Horís kréas, parakaló.Without meat, please.State a simple dietary preference.

• Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ.

  Ton logariasmó, parakaló.The bill, please.Use when you are ready to pay.

• Για πακέτο, παρακαλώ.

  Ya pakéto, parakaló.To take away, please.Answer when the server asks “Για εδώ ή για πακέτο;”.

Travel and directions

• Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;

  Poú íne i tualéta?Where is the toilet?A complete everyday question.

• Πώς πάω στο κέντρο;

  Pos páo sto kéndro?How do I get to the centre?Useful when walking or taking public transport.

• Είναι μακριά;

  Íne makriá?Is it far?A short follow-up question.

• Αριστερά ή δεξιά;

  Aristerá i dexiá?Left or right?Confirm the direction.

• Στο αεροδρόμιο, παρακαλώ.

  Sto aerodrómio, parakaló.To the airport, please.Tell a taxi driver your destination.

• Πού είναι η στάση;

  Poú íne i stási?Where is the stop?Use when the bus or tram route is already clear.

Hotels

• Έχω κράτηση στο όνομα…

  Ého krátisi sto ónoma…I have a booking under the name…Give your surname after όνομα.

• Τι ώρα είναι το πρωινό;

  Ti óra íne to proinó?What time is breakfast?A useful check-in question.

• Πού είναι το δωμάτιό μου;

  Poú íne to domátió mou?Where is my room?Ask after receiving the key.

• Δεν λειτουργεί το κλιματιστικό.

  Den liturgí to klimatistikó.The air conditioning isn’t working.A clear way to report the problem.

• Ποιος είναι ο κωδικός του Wi-Fi;

  Pios íne o kodikós tou Wi-Fi?What is the Wi-Fi password?Ask at reception; Wi-Fi is commonly used in Greek too.

Shopping

• Πόσο κάνει;

  Póso káni?How much is it?Useful in shops, cafés, and markets.

• Έχετε μικρότερο μέγεθος;

  Éhete mikrótero méyethos?Do you have a smaller size?Polite or plural form.

• Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα;

  Boró na pliróso me kárta?Can I pay by card?Ask before paying.

• Θα πάρω αυτό.

  Tha páro aftó.I’ll take this.A clear way to finish choosing.

• Θα ήθελα αυτό.

  Tha íthela aftó.I would like this.A polite way to choose something.

Useful questions and requests for help

• 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.

• Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;

  Boríte na me voithísete?Can you help me?Polite form for asking for help.

• Τι σημαίνει αυτό;

  Ti siméni aftó?What does this mean?Point to a word or repeat the expression you want explained.

• Μπορείτε να το επαναλάβετε;

  Boríte na to epanalávete?Can you repeat that?A polite request when you missed what someone said.

Informal, polite and plural Greek

Use Γεια σου with one person in an informal situation. Use Γεια σας with a group, or politely with one person. The same distinction explains Τι κάνεις; and Τι κάνετε;: both ask “How are you?”, but the second is polite or plural. When meeting someone at reception or in a shop, the polite form is a useful starting point.

Καληνύχτα is a farewell before bed or when leaving late, rather than a greeting on arrival. See the Greek greetings guide for more help choosing the right expression.

Turn phrases into a short conversation

Practise both sides of an exchange. If a server asks Για εδώ ή για πακέτο; (“For here or to take away?”), you can answer Για πακέτο, παρακαλώ. Then close with Ευχαριστώ. Recognising the question is as useful as remembering your order.

Try changing one part of a phrase: Θα ήθελα αυτό (“I would like this”) works when pointing to a menu item. To name the item, use Θα ήθελα έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ (“I would like a coffee, please”). Keep the whole phrase together while learning how its word endings work.

Follow the coffee ordering guide for a longer exchange, try the Clear and Natural listening samples, or print a free Greek phrase resource to review away from your screen.