While Greek is the main language used in Greece, most Greeks speak English and those in the hospitality industry are likely to speak French, German, Italian, Spanish or other foreign languages too. Signage, menus and transportation signs are written in English and in Greek. It is always fun, of course, to try and communicate in Greek. Why not give it a try?
Greek language in history:
The Greek language has influenced hundreds of languages in the world including 12% of the English vocabulary. The Greek language is also the basis for thousands of terms used in science, mathematics and technology.
The conquests of Alexander the Great (approximately 336-323 B.C.) spread the Greek language and culture to the native peoples of the East who adopted it as a second language. Known as the Hellenistic Koine or (common) language, it later became the official language of the entire eastern part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.
When Greece was liberated in 1830, two different versions existed: the demotic or colloquial language and katharevousa, or the purist language. In 1976, the Greek government adopted the demotic language (with several katharevousa elements) as the official language.
Greetings
Hello: yasa
Goodbye: andio
Good morning: kalimera
Good afternoon: herete
Good evening: kalispera
Good night: kalinihta
Please: parakalo
Thank you: efharisto
Yes: ne
No: ohi
Sorry: sighnomi
How are you?: Ti kanete?
I’m well thanks: kala efharisto
What’s your name?: pos sas lene
My name is…: me lene…
Do you speak English?: milate anglika?
I understand: katalaveno
I don’t understand: dhen katalaveno
Where is…?: pou ine
How much?: poso kani
When?: pote
Transport
What time does the…leave/arrive?: ti ora fevyi/ftani to …?
Plane: aeroplano
Boat: karavi
Bus: astiko
Train: treno
Taxi: taxi
I’d like…: tha ithela…
A return ticket: isitirio me epistrofi
First class: proti thesi
Directions
How do I get to…?: pos tha pao sto/sti…?
Where is..?: pou ine..?
Is it near?: ine konda?
Straight ahead: efthia
Left: aristera
Right: dexia
Behind: piso
Accommodation
Where is…?: pou ine..?
I’d like…: thelo ena
A good hotel: kalo xenodohio
Single: mono
Double: dhiplo
Room: dhomatio
How much is it?: poso kani?
Is breakfast included?: symberilamvani ke pro-ino?
May I see it?: boro na to dho?
Time
What time is it?: ti ora ine?
It’s: ine
1 o’clock: mia i ora
7:30: efta ke misi
today: simera
tonight: apopse
now: tora
yesterday: hthes
tomorrow: avrio
Food
Breakfast: pro-ino
Lunch: mesimvrino
Dinner: vradhyno
Bread: psomi
Beer: byra
Cheese: tyri
Chicken: kotopoulo
Milk: ghala
Water: nero
Tea: tsai
Numbers
1: enas (m) mia (f) ena (n)
2: dhio
3: tris (m&f) tria (n)
4: teseris (m&f) tesera (n)
5: pende
6: exi
7: epta
8: ohto
9: enea
10: dheka