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The Language
Try and learn a few words of Greek before your visit. Never be scared or too embarassed to try, the Greeks love you to try and you may enjoy it. Click the link to go to a great (if not old) site, full of greek words and lessons, etc.
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A, a |
a |
N, n |
n |
B, b |
v, as in vital |
X, x |
x or ks |
G, g |
similar to y in yard |
O, o |
o |
D, d |
th as in this |
P, p |
p |
E, e |
e as in egg |
R, r |
r |
Z, z |
z as in Zorbas |
S, s |
s |
H, h |
e as in era |
T, t |
t |
Q, q |
th as in throne |
U, u |
e as in era |
I, i |
e as in era |
F, f |
f |
K, k |
k |
C, c |
h as in he |
L, l |
l |
Y, y |
ps |
M, m |
m |
W, w |
o |
Combinations of letters (Greek diphthongs) :
| Ai, ai |
e as in egg |
OU, ou |
u as in full |
Ei, ei Oi, oi Ui, ui |
e as in era |
AU, au |
af or av |
EU, eu |
ef or ev |
A small taster to get you started
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These few key words will get you a surprisingly long way! Try them out, it's fun! I think the hardest thing you'll have to remember is Ne means Yes and ohi (sounds like ok) means no (just seems backwards somehow, doesn't it?). The rest is pretty easy.
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| Good morning |
Kalimera |
Good evening
(for after the sun has gone down) |
Kalispera |
| Good night |
Kalinichta |
| Hello |
Yassou (singular/informal)
Yassas (plural/formal) |
| How are you? |
Ti kanis? (singular/informal)
Ti kanete? (plural/formal) |
| Very well thank-you |
Poli kala, efharisto (singular/informal) |
Please
You're welcome |
Parakalo |
| Thank-you |
Efharisto |
| Thank-you very much |
Efharisto poli |
Excuse Me
Sorry |
Signomi |
| Yes |
ne |
| No |
ohi |
| Okay |
endaxi |
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Think about how much more you'll enjoy the experience of your fabulous Greek meal if you can order it all in Greek - or at least thank the waiter. Who knows, perhaps they'll be so impressed they'll treat you to an ouzo! Either way, kali orexi (bon apetit)!
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| A table for two, please |
Ena trapezi ya thio atoma, parakalo |
| We have a reservation for... |
Ehoume klisa ya... |
| Can we see the menu, please |
Ton katalogho, parakalo |
| What do you recommend? |
Ti sistinete? |
| I'm vegetarian |
Ime hortofaghos |
| I would like.. |
Tha ithela... |
I didn't order this
(just in case) |
Then paragila afto |
| Where are the washrooms? |
Pou ine i toualetes? |
| The meal was very good, thank you |
To fayito, itan poli kalo, efharisto |
| Can we have the bill, please? |
Mas fernete ton logariasmo, parakalo? |
| Do you take credit cards? |
Pernete pistotikes kartes? |
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| Whether you're travelling on foot or renting a vehicle, taking a taxi, bus, boat, train or plane, there are many options for getting around in Greece. These handy phrases may be useful. |
Which way is the tourist office?
(where you can get lots of information) |
Pou ine to tourstiko ghrafio? |
| Is this the right way to....? |
Pame kala ya....? |
| It's on the right |
Ine dhexia |
| It's on the left |
Ine aristera |
| I'd like to rent a car |
Thelo na nikiaso ena aftokinito |
Is insurance included?
(Be sure to ask!) |
Perilamvanete i asfalia? |
| Fill it up |
Yemiste to |
| Where is...? |
Pou ine...? |
| How far is it to...? |
Poso apehi...? |
| Does this bus (train/boat) go to...? |
Afto to leoforio (treno, karavi) paei sto? |
| How much is a ticket to...? |
Poso kani to isitirio ya...? |
| A one-way ticket to..., please |
Ena aplo isitirio ya...parakalo |
| Can you get me a taxi, please? |
Moo kalite ena taxi, parakalo? |
| To the airport, please |
Sto aerodhromio, parakalo |
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If you find yourself off the beaten path, you can find some great bargains on hand-made goods. This may help you get a better deal!
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| I would like... |
Tha ithela... |
| Do you have |
Ehete |
| How much is this? |
Poso kani afto? |
I'm just looking
(playing hard to get?) |
Aplos kitao |
| That's all, thanks |
Afta, efharisto |
| I'll think about it |
Tha to skefto |
| I'll take it |
Tha to paro |
Can I pay by credit card? * **
(you may not get the best discount) |
Boro na pliroso me pistotiki karta? |
* For the Boys. This is not probably one to teach the girls.
** For the girls. This is a must learn if you go shopping with his card.
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| Unless you're in a very remote area, chances are good that your hotel proprietors will speak English. But hey, you're into it now right? |
| Do you have a vacancy? |
Ehete kena thomatia? |
| I have a reservation |
Eho klisi thomatio |
| I'd like a room with a bathroom |
Tha ithela ena thomatio me banio |
| I'd like a room for (one) night |
Tha ithela ena thomatio ya (mia) nihta |
| What is the rate per night? |
Poso stihizi i thianikterefsi? |
| My room number is... |
O arithmos too thomatioo moo ine... |
I'm leaving tomorrow
(awful words, aren't they?) |
fevgo avrio |
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Add these to the phrases you've learned for ordering dinner, getting around, shopping and accommodation and the sky's the limit! Remember, just relax and give it a try, the Greeks will be happy to help you. And if nothing else, remember Kalimera (good morning), Parakalo (please), and Efharisto (thank-you)! |
| Today |
simera |
20 |
eikossi |
| Tomorrow |
avrio |
21 |
eikossi-ena |
| Tonight |
apopse |
30 |
trianda |
| Soon |
sidoma |
40 |
ssaranda |
| 1 |
ena |
50 |
peninda |
| 2 |
thio |
60 |
eksinda |
| 3 |
tria |
70 |
evthominda |
| 4 |
tessera |
80 |
ogthonda |
| 5 |
pende |
90 |
eneninda |
| 6 |
eksi |
100 |
ekato |
| 7 |
efta |
115 |
ekaton theka pende |
| 8 |
okto |
153 |
ekaton peninda tria |
| 9 |
ennia |
200 |
thiakossia |
| 10 |
theka |
300 |
triakossia |
| 11 |
entheka |
400 |
tetrakossia |
| 12 |
thotheka |
500 |
pentakossia |
| 13 |
theka-tria |
600 |
eksakossia |
| 14 |
theka-tessera |
700 |
eptakossia |
| 15 |
theka-pende |
800 |
oktakossia |
| 16 |
theka-eksi |
900 |
eniakossia |
| 17 |
theka-efta |
1,000 |
hilia |
| 18 |
theka-okto |
1,000,000 |
ena ekatomirio |
| 19 |
theka-ennia |
1,000,000,000 |
ena thisekatomirio |
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