What are some common phrases/words I need to learn before my trip to Greece?
Travelling to a foreign country will always be a little intimidating but learning how to say simple words such as 'hello' and 'please' will go a long way in helping you feel confident when communicating with locals. Not only will you feel more connected to the places you're going and the people you're meeting, but by demonstrating even the tiniest bit of knowledge of the Greek language, you'll also be showing a huge amount of respect to the Greek culture itself (which is always a big plus).
However, learning the Greek language can be extremely tough with challenging pronunciations and a foreign alphabet. So you don't have to spend hours and hours on Duolingo or Google Translate, we've put together a list of the common phrases/words that'll come in handy during your Greek adventure.
What language do people speak in Greece?
While the people of Greece speak the Greek language, English is actually the primary foreign language spoken by more than 48% of the population so you shouldn't have any trouble communicating during your travels if you stick to bigger cities and other tourist locations.
The Greek language is a complex one spanning over 2,500 years as an independent branch of the Indo-European language family. While the Greeks are responsible for sharing a lot of modern ideas such as democracy and philosophy, the Greek language isn't closely related to any other world language making it quite unique to Greece itself.
How to say 'hello' in Greek - Γειά σου (Yah-soo)
Easily the word you'll use the most while travelling around Greece and probably one of the few Greek words you've already heard is Γειά σου (hello), pronounced 'Yah-soo'. While this is more formal than the casual Γεια (meaning 'hi' and pronounced 'Yah'), it's still commonly used all around Greece when meeting strangers for the first time.
How to say 'how are you?' in Greek - Tι κανείς (tee-KAH-nis)
If you want to show off your language skills and go one step further than 'hello', learning how to say 'how are you?' is the way to do it. The Greek phrase for 'how are you?' is Tι κανείς (pronounced tee-KAH-nis), and is often used straight after Γειά σου (hello) as a continued greeting.
How to say 'thank you' in Greek - Ευχαριστώ (eff-kha-ri-STOE)
It's always important to be polite wherever you go, especially when you're travelling in a country that's not your own, so expect to say Ευχαριστώ (thank you) - pronounced eff-kha-ri-STOE - a million times a day. As Greeks are friendly, welcoming, and polite people, you can also expect to hear this said back to you a million times as well.
How to say 'goodbye' in Greek - Γειά σου (Yah-soo)
The word for 'goodbye' in Greek is the exact same as the word for 'hello' so once you've learnt it, you'll know how to properly start and end conversations. If you're among a group of people and you want to say a greeting or a farewell to everyone at the same time, simply say the word YAH-sas.
How to say 'please' in Greek - Παρακαλώ (para-kah-LOE)
The word for 'please' and 'you're welcome' in Greek is the same, so you can knock off two birds with one stone by learning how to say Παρακαλώ (please/you're welcome), pronounced para-kah-LOE. This word can also be used as a way to make someone repeat themselves if you haven't heard them properly, as well as when asking for directions or for the price of something.
How to say 'yes' in Greek - Ναί (neh)
It's easy to get confused when trying to say 'yes' in Greek as the Greek word looks similar to its English counterpart for 'no'. If you want to say 'yes' to something, use the word Ναί (pronounced neh).
How to say 'no' in Greek - όχι (OH-hee)
The same confusion can be applied to the word 'no' as the Greek word for 'no' is όχι (pronounced OH-hee) but looks similar to the English word for 'okay' and thus, making you think it means 'yes'. As long as you remember to use these words in the opposite way as you would in English, then you'll be completely fine.
Click to return to Greece FAQs
Read more about Europe
Feb 28, 2018
What to pack for a trip to Iceland:...
No matter what time of year, no matter how clueless you are, no matter whether you...
Nov 17, 2017
Why Iceland is the dream destination...
This island destination features soothing hot springs, majestic wild horses and...
Oct 07, 2019
Dunes, DJs and disaster in the Sahara...
Like most disasters, it began with what I thought was a good idea at the time....
Jul 26, 2022
What is Greece known for? A deep dive...
Greece is known for many things including the invention of democracy, mythology...
Jul 27, 2022
The planet-friendly way to stretch...
Getting to and from your trip’s start and end points should be part of the journey...
Sep 10, 2019
How to do the French Riviera on a budget
The words ‘French Riviera’ and ‘budget travel’ don’t usually squeeze into the same...
Dec 18, 2017
I’m on a boat: the Intrepid guide to...
There are a lot of myths about sailing the high seas, but with Intrepid's handy...
May 15, 2022
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
From hiking in US national parks to going on safari in South Africa, here's your...
Mar 16, 2017
We rank the 7 best breakfasts in Paris
If you’re after something a little more nourishing than a croissant (or simply...
Oct 31, 2016
Seven days sailing on the French Riviera
Sunshine, retro swimsuits, striped umbrellas, aquamarine Mediterranean waters and...
Aug 31, 2015
A walking tour of Paris’ best foodie...
When I landed in Paris for the first time, I spent a happy few hours Googling the...
Jul 29, 2018
Why cycling the French Alps is what...
I’m lucky enough to live an hour’s drive from the French Alps and can honestly say...
Mar 10, 2017
6 cities in France to visit before...
There's just so much more to France than its capital, Paris. Here are six of the...
Sep 08, 2017
5 European day hikes everyone should...
Europe’s varied geography lends itself to hundreds of day walks that require...
Apr 10, 2022
Where to celebrate Pride in Europe 2022
With European summer just around the corner, it’s time to get your Pride plans in...
Jul 05, 2017
A local’s guide to the hidden gems of...
We all know the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysées, but discovering lesser-known...
Mar 27, 2019
10 weird and wonderful facts about...
Sandwiched by Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia – Belarus occupies a...
Sep 03, 2019
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
Whether you’ve always wanted to slurp schnapps at a Swedish celebration, track...
Nov 30, 2017
Calling all explorers: 5 uncharted...
On the hunt for your next big out-there adventure? These might make your decision...
May 06, 2018
Active traveller? Here are 6 things...
Gifted with spectacular natural scenery, Slovenia lends itself perfectly to an...
Jan 08, 2020
How to travel in Istanbul on a budget
Straddling the divide between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a humming metropolis up...
Mar 02, 2022
6 reasons why you should do a guided...
Here are 6 reasons why you should do a guided Camino walk instead of going it alone.
Mar 01, 2022
10 reasons why you should visit the...
Remote, wild and insanely beautiful. Find out why you should add the Faroe Islands...
Apr 02, 2022
5 cities in Luxembourg you simply...
Luxembourg City isn't the only city in Luxembourg worth exploring.