Must-Know Greek Phrases for Travellers and Learners

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A small set of Greek phrases can make travel and early conversations much friendlier. Learn them in Greek script as well as sound, because transliteration is only an approximation and different systems spell the same sound differently.

The phrases below are Modern Greek. They are starting points, not a substitute for listening to how people around you speak.

A note from the Fluent in 3 Months team before we get started: You can chat away with a native speaker for at least 15 minutes with the “Fluent in 3 Months” method. All it takes is 90 days. Tap this link to find out more.

Greetings and Partings

• Γεια σου (ya sou): “hello” or “bye” to one person informally.
• Γεια σας (ya sas): “hello” or “bye” to more than one person, or politely to one person.
• Καλημέρα (kaliméra): “good morning”.
• Καλησπέρα (kalispéra): “good evening”.
• Καληνύχτα (kaliníhta): “good night”, normally when parting for the night.
• Τα λέμε (ta léme): “see you”, casual.

Use σας with people you do not know, older people when the setting calls for respect, or a group. Our fuller guide to saying hello in Greek has more context.

Everyday Greek Phrases

• Ευχαριστώ (efharistó): “thank you”.
• Παρακαλώ (parakaló): “please”; it can also mean “you’re welcome”.
• Συγγνώμη (signómi): “excuse me” or “sorry”.
• Ναι / Όχι (ne / óhi): “yes / no”. In όχι, the first vowel is one steady “o” sound, rather than the changing vowel in English “oh”.
• Δεν καταλαβαίνω (dhen katalavéno): “I don’t understand”.
• Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (miláte angliká?): “Do you speak English?” politely.

Using συγγνώμη, παρακαλώ, and ευχαριστώ well will get you further than trying to deliver a perfect speech.

Travel Phrases

• Πού είναι η τουαλέτα; (pou íne i toualéta?): “Where is the toilet?”
• Πόσο κάνει; (póso káni?): “How much is it?”
• Θα ήθελα… (tha íthela…): “I would like…”, a useful polite start when ordering.
• Ένα νερό, παρακαλώ (éna neró, parakaló): “One water, please.”
• Μπορείτε να μιλήσετε πιο αργά; (boríte na milísete pio argá?): “Could you speak more slowly?”

Talking About Yourself

• Με λένε… (me léne…): “My name is…”
• Είμαι από… (íme apó…): “I am from…”
• Μαθαίνω ελληνικά (mathéno elliniká): “I am learning Greek.”
• Χάρηκα (hárika): “Nice to meet you.”
• Τι κάνετε; (ti kánete?): “How are you?” politely; Τι κάνεις; (ti kánis?) is informal singular.

Say your own version of these sentences rather than memorising a biography. The other person will usually give you the next useful word.

A Note on Greek Slang

Slang is highly dependent on age, place, and friendship. Learn it from people you know and use it after you understand the tone. Don’t lead with a swear word just because someone told you it is “what locals say”: words such as μαλάκα can be used jokingly among close friends but can also be seriously insulting.

Greek Quotes and Proverbs

Greek quotes and proverbs are enjoyable cultural material, but they are not all everyday Modern Greek. Ancient quotations may be printed with polytonic accents and use grammar that does not belong in everyday conversation. Our collection of Greek quotes is a better place to explore them at your own pace.

Use Phrases to Start Speaking

Choose five phrases you expect to use this week. Say them aloud, listen to native-speaker audio, and use one in a real exchange. Then add the phrase that conversation revealed you were missing.

Our GreekPod101 review can help you decide whether its audio lessons suit you.

For more building blocks, see our list of essential Greek words and Greek learning resources.