Greece is a dream destination—ancient ruins, stunning islands, incredible food, and warm hospitality. While many Greeks in tourist areas speak English, knowing some Greek will deepen your experience and earn you genuine appreciation. Greeks are proud of their language and culture, and your efforts won't go unnoticed.
This guide covers everything you need for an unforgettable Greek vacation.
The Greek Alphabet
Greek uses its own alphabet, but for travel purposes, you can rely on transliteration. Here are a few key letters:
| Greek | Name | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Α α | Alpha | a |
| Β β | Beta | v |
| Γ γ | Gamma | g/y |
| Δ δ | Delta | th (as in "this") |
| Ε ε | Epsilon | e |
| Η η | Eta | ee |
| Θ θ | Theta | th (as in "think") |
| Κ κ | Kappa | k |
| Λ λ | Lambda | l |
| Μ μ | Mu | m |
| Ν ν | Nu | n |
| Σ σ/ς | Sigma | s |
Essential Greetings
| Greek | Transliteration | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Γεια σου | Yia sou | YAH-soo | Hello/Goodbye (informal) |
| Γεια σας | Yia sas | YAH-sahs | Hello/Goodbye (formal/plural) |
| Καλημέρα | Kalimera | kah-lee-MEH-rah | Good morning |
| Καλησπέρα | Kalispera | kah-lee-SPEH-rah | Good afternoon/evening |
| Καληνύχτα | Kalinychta | kah-lee-NEEKH-tah | Good night |
| Ευχαριστώ | Efcharisto | ef-khah-ree-STOH | Thank you |
| Παρακαλώ | Parakalo | pah-rah-kah-LOH | Please / You're welcome |
| Συγγνώμη | Signomi | seeg-NOH-mee | Sorry / Excuse me |
| Ναι | Nai | neh | Yes |
| Όχι | Ochi | OH-khee | No |
Fun fact: "Nai" means yes, and "Ochi" means no. Don't confuse "nai" with English "nay"!
At the Taverna
Greek food is legendary. Here's how to enjoy it like a local.
Getting Started
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ένα τραπέζι για δύο | Ena trapezi ya dio | A table for two |
| Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ | Ton katalogo, parakalo | The menu, please |
| Τι μας προτείνετε; | Ti mas protinete? | What do you recommend? |
| Ποια είναι η ειδικότητα; | Pia ine i idikotita? | What's the specialty? |
Ordering
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Θα ήθελα... | Tha ithela... | I would like... |
| Ένα νερό | Ena nero | A water |
| Ένα κρασί | Ena krasi | A wine |
| Μια μπύρα | Mia bira | A beer |
| Έναν καφέ | Enan kafe | A coffee |
| Χωρίς κρέας | Choris kreas | Without meat |
| Χωρίς γλουτένη | Choris glouteni | Gluten-free |
Greek Food Vocabulary
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Μουσακάς | Mousakas | Moussaka (eggplant casserole) |
| Σουβλάκι | Souvlaki | Grilled meat skewers |
| Γύρος | Gyros | Rotisserie meat in pita |
| Τζατζίκι | Tzatziki | Yogurt-cucumber dip |
| Χωριάτικη σαλάτα | Choriatiki salata | Greek salad |
| Φέτα | Feta | Feta cheese |
| Ελιές | Elies | Olives |
| Ψωμί | Psomi | Bread |
| Ψάρι | Psari | Fish |
| Κοτόπουλο | Kotopoulo | Chicken |
| Αρνί | Arni | Lamb |
| Χταπόδι | Chtapodi | Octopus |
Finishing Up
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | Ton logariasmo, parakalo | The bill, please |
| Ήταν νοστιμότατο! | Itan nostimotato! | It was delicious! |
| Στην υγειά μας! | Stin yia mas! | Cheers! (To our health!) |
| Κρατήστε τα ρέστα | Kratiste ta resta | Keep the change |
Dining culture: Greeks eat late. Lunch is around 2-3 PM, dinner often starts at 9-10 PM. Meals are social events—never rushed.
Getting Around
Asking Directions
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Πού είναι...? | Pou ine...? | Where is...? |
| Πώς πάω στο...? | Pos pao sto...? | How do I get to...? |
| Αριστερά | Aristera | Left |
| Δεξιά | Dexia | Right |
| Ευθεία | Efthia | Straight |
| Κοντά | Konta | Near |
| Μακριά | Makria | Far |
| Η παραλία | I paralia | The beach |
| Το λιμάνι | To limani | The port |
| Η πλατεία | I platia | The square |
Transportation
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Το λεωφορείο | To leoforio | The bus |
| Το πλοίο | To plio | The ship/ferry |
| Το ταξί | To taxi | The taxi |
| Το αεροδρόμιο | To aerodromio | The airport |
| Ο σταθμός | O stathmos | The station |
| Ένα εισιτήριο | Ena isitirio | A ticket |
| Πότε φεύγει...? | Pote fevgi...? | When does it leave? |
| Πόσο κάνει; | Poso kani? | How much does it cost? |
Island Hopping
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Το νησί | To nisi | The island |
| Το φέρι | To feri | The ferry |
| Η καμπίνα | I kabina | The cabin |
| Το κατάστρωμα | To katastroma | The deck |
| Πότε φτάνουμε; | Pote ftanoume? | When do we arrive? |
At the Beach
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Η θάλασσα | I thalassa | The sea |
| Η άμμος | I ammos | The sand |
| Ο ήλιος | O ilios | The sun |
| Ομπρέλα | Ombrela | Umbrella |
| Ξαπλώστρα | Xaplostra | Sun lounger |
| Αντηλιακό | Antiliako | Sunscreen |
| Είναι ελεύθερες; | Ine eleftheres? | Are they (loungers) free? |
Shopping
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Πόσο κάνει; | Poso kani? | How much is it? |
| Είναι ακριβό | Ine akrivo | It's expensive |
| Έχετε...? | Echete...? | Do you have...? |
| Μόνο κοιτάζω | Mono kitazo | I'm just looking |
| Το παίρνω | To perno | I'll take it |
| Μεγαλύτερο | Megalitero | Bigger |
| Μικρότερο | Mikrotero | Smaller |
| Η απόδειξη | I apodeixi | The receipt |
Making Friends
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Πώς σε λένε; | Pos se lene? | What's your name? |
| Με λένε... | Me lene... | My name is... |
| Χάρηκα | Charika | Nice to meet you |
| Από πού είσαι; | Apo pou ise? | Where are you from? |
| Είμαι από... | Ime apo... | I'm from... |
| Μιλάτε αγγλικά; | Milate anglika? | Do you speak English? |
| Μιλάω λίγα ελληνικά | Milao liga ellinika | I speak a little Greek |
Emergencies
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Βοήθεια! | Voithia! | Help! |
| Καλέστε την αστυνομία | Kaleste tin astinomia | Call the police |
| Χρειάζομαι γιατρό | Chriazomai giatro | I need a doctor |
| Το νοσοκομείο | To nosokomio | The hospital |
| Το φαρμακείο | To farmakio | The pharmacy |
| Χάθηκα | Chathika | I'm lost |
| Έχω χάσει το πορτοφόλι μου | Echo chasi to portofoli mou | I've lost my wallet |
Emergency numbers in Greece:
- General Emergency: 112
- Police: 100
- Tourist Police: 171
- Ambulance: 166
Useful Expressions
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Τι κάνεις; | Ti kanis? | How are you? |
| Καλά, ευχαριστώ | Kala, efcharisto | Fine, thank you |
| Δεν καταλαβαίνω | Den katalaveno | I don't understand |
| Μπορείτε να μιλάτε πιο αργά; | Borite na milate pio arga? | Can you speak slower? |
| Μια στιγμή | Mia stigmi | One moment |
| Δεν πειράζει | Den pirazi | It doesn't matter / No problem |
| Εντάξει | Entaxi | Okay |
| Πολύ ωραία! | Poli orea! | Very nice! |
| Φοβερό! | Fovero! | Awesome! |
Numbers
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ένα | Ena | One |
| Δύο | Dio | Two |
| Τρία | Tria | Three |
| Τέσσερα | Tessera | Four |
| Πέντε | Pente | Five |
| Έξι | Exi | Six |
| Επτά | Epta | Seven |
| Οκτώ | Okto | Eight |
| Εννέα | Ennea | Nine |
| Δέκα | Deka | Ten |
Cultural Tips
Greek Hospitality (Filoxenia)
Greeks are famous for their hospitality. Don't be surprised if locals invite you for coffee or offer you food—it's their way of welcoming you.
Siesta Time
Many shops close between 2-5 PM, especially on islands. Plan your shopping accordingly.
"Greek Time"
Things move at a relaxed pace. Embrace it—you're on vacation!
Name Days
Greeks celebrate name days (the saint's day for their name) as much as birthdays. If you learn someone's name, you might wish them "Χρόνια πολλά" (Chronia polla - Many years) on their name day.
Coffee Culture
Greek coffee is strong and served with grounds. Let it settle before drinking. "Μέτριο" (metrio) means medium sweet.
Your Greek Vacation Checklist
Before your trip:
- Master basic greetings
- Learn restaurant essentials
- Practice numbers 1-20
- Download Bloo for daily practice
During your trip:
- Order in Greek at tavernas
- Say "Yia sou" to everyone
- Try "Stin yia mas!" when toasting
- Learn one new phrase each day
Final Thoughts
Greece will capture your heart with its beauty, history, and warmth. Speaking Greek—even just a few words—transforms you from a tourist to a welcomed guest.
Greeks are genuinely delighted when visitors try their language. Your "Efcharisto" and "Kalimera" will be met with smiles and often lead to wonderful conversations.
Καλό ταξίδι! (Kalo taxidi!) - Have a good trip!
Ready to learn Greek for your Mediterranean adventure? Download Bloo and get daily Greek vocabulary on your lock screen. Πάμε!
