Planning a vacation in Greece? Beyond the breathtaking landscapes, azure beaches, and excellent food, the best way to truly connect with the local charm is through the language. Greeks are well-known for their gratitude and appreciation towards travelers who try to speak even a word or two in their tongue. A wide smile is guaranteed the moment you say Kalispera (Good evening) or Efharisto (Thank you).

To make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable, we have compiled all the essential words and phrases: from basic greetings and etiquette to navigating transportation and hotels, and the most important terms for basic communication with locals at a tavern near your hotel or in one of Athens’ wonderful markets.

This phrasebook includes the Greek translation alongside English pronunciation, so you can speak with confidence from the moment you land. Shall we begin? Pame!

Greetings and Starting a Conversation – The Key to Every Greek Heart

Greeks are known for their hospitality and appreciation of visitors who try to communicate in their language, and there is no better way to start the morning than with a smiling Kalimera. The first words you exchange with the locals – whether it’s the hotel receptionist, a taxi driver, or a bakery clerk – are the ones that set the tone for the entire encounter, turning your trip from an anonymous visit into a warm, personal experience. In this section, we have gathered the keywords to help you break the ice, say hello, and feel at home wherever you go.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Hello / Hi	Ya sou	Γεια σου
Hello (Polite/Plural)	Ya sas	Γεια σας
Good morning	Kalimera	Καλημέρα
Good evening	Kalispera	Καλησπέρα
Good night	Kalinychta	Καληνύχτα
Goodbye	Adio	Αντίο

Basic Etiquette – The Small Words That Make a Big Difference

Thank you, sorry, and please are an integral part of daily life in Greece. Using these expressions, even in a simple and imperfect way, conveys respect and openness. It often opens the door to a pleasant conversation, more patient service, and a general sense of goodwill from the locals.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Thank you	Efharisto	Ευχαριστώ
Thank you very much	Efharisto poli	Ευχαριστώ πολύ
Please / You’re welcome	Parakalo	Παρακαλώ
Sorry / Excuse me	Signomi	Συγγνώμη
Don’t mention it	Parakalo	Παρακαλώ

General Communication – How to Manage Even When You Don’t Understand Everything

You won’t always find the right words, and the person you’re speaking to might not always be fluent in English. The phrases in this group help you say yes or no, ask for clarification, slow down the pace, and check if you’ve understood correctly—small tools that allow you to move forward despite language gaps.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Yes	Ne	Ναι
No	Ohi	Όχι
Maybe	Isos	Ίσως
I don’t understand	Den katalaveno	Δεν καταλαβαίνω
I understand	Katalaveno	Καταλαβαίνω
Do you speak English?	Milate anglika	Μιλάτε αγγλικά
Slower please	Pio arga parakalo	Πιο αργά παρακαλώ

Restaurants and Cafes – Ordering, Asking, and Enjoying Like a Local

Food and coffee are central to the Greek experience. Sitting in a tavern or a cafe is not just about hunger but about time and atmosphere. These phrases will help you order comfortably, ask for recommendations, make small adjustments, and express when something is delicious—even without mastering the language.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Menu	Menu	Μενού
Can I order?	Boro na parangelo	Μπορώ να παραγγείλω
I want	Thelo	Θέλω
What do you recommend?	Ti protinete	Τι προτείνετε
Without	Horis	Χωρίς
Vegetarian	Hortofagiko	Χορτοφαγικό
The bill, please	Ton logariasmo	Τον λογαριασμό
Very tasty	Poli nostimo	Πολύ νόστιμο
Water	Nero	Νερό
Wine	Krasi	Κρασί
Coffee	Kafe	Καφές
Milk	Gala	Γάλα
Sugar	Zahari	Ζάχαρη
Soup	Supa	Σούπα
Fish	Psari	Ψάρι
Meat	Kreas	Κρέας
Chicken	Kotopoulo	Κοτόπουλο
Bread	Psomi	Ψωμί
Cheese	Tiri	Τυρί
Salad	Salata	Σαλάτα
Salt	Alati	Αλάτι
Pepper	Piperi	Πιπέρι
Olive oil	Ladi eliu	Λάδι ελιάς
Plate	Piato	Πιάτο
Glass	Potiri	Ποτήρι
Teaspoon	Koutalaki	Κουταλάκι
Napkin	Petseta	Πετσέτα

Shopping and Markets – Knowing How to Ask and Leaving with a Smile

Open markets, small shops, and local stalls are a vital part of the Greek experience. These phrases help you ask for prices, find out if you can pay with cash or credit, and clarify when you are just browsing. Even without actual bargaining, the conversation itself creates a pleasant human connection with the vendor.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
How much does it cost?	Poso kostizi	Πόσο κοστίζει
Expensive	Akrivo	Ακριβό
Cheap	Fthino	Φθηνό
Can I get a discount?	Boro na kanete ekptosi	Μπορώ να κάνετε έκπτωση
I’m just looking	Kitao mono	Κοιτάω μόνο
Where is the cashier?	Pou ine to tamio	Πού είναι το ταμείο
Credit Card	Card	Κάρτα
Cash	Cash	Μετρητά

Accommodation and Hotels – Sleeping Well Even Away from Home

Whether it’s a large hotel, a family pension, or a holiday apartment, these are the phrases that help with the practical moments of your stay: check-in and check-out, reservations, room keys, or reporting a problem. A few right words at the right time can prevent inconvenience and ensure a relaxed stay.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Hotel	Xenodohio	Ξενοδοχείο
Room	Domatio	Δωμάτιο
Reservation	Kratisi	Κράτηση
Check-in	Check in	Check in
Check-out	Check out	Check out
Key	Klidi	Κλειδί
Night	Nihta	Νύχτα
Problem in the room	Provlima sto domatio	Πρόβλημα στο δωμάτιο
Hot water	Zesto nero	Ζεστό νερό
No hot water	Den ehi zesto nero	Δεν έχει ζεστό νερό

Transportation and Orientation – Not Getting Lost, Even Without a Map

Between urban streets, small villages, or islands with winding paths, it’s easy to get confused without the right directions. These phrases help you ask where something is, find out if it’s near or far, and get simple instructions to reach your destination safely.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Where is it?	Pou ine	Πού είναι
Near	Konta	Κοντά
Far	Makria	Μακριά
Left	Aristera	Αριστερά
Right	Deksia	Δεξιά
Straight	Eftheia	Ευθεία
Stop / Station	Stasi	Στάση
Ticket	Isitirio	Εισιτήριο

Time – When, How Much, and How Not to be Late

To plan your day, understand opening hours, or set an appointment, it’s important to master basic time-related words. These expressions help you ask when something is happening, if it’s now or later, and how long it will take—small bits of information that keep your trip organized.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Today	Simera	Σήμερα
Tomorrow	Avrio	Αύριο
Yesterday	Chtes	Χθες
Now	Tora	Τώρα
Late	Arga	Αργά
Early	Noris	Νωρίς
Hour / Time	Ora	Ώρα
Open today	Ine anikhta	Είναι ανοιχτά
Closed	Klista	Κλειστά
How much time?	Poso hrono	Πόσο χρόνο

Days of the Week – Knowing What’s Happening Today and Tomorrow

Especially useful for bookings, coordination, transportation, and events. Knowing the days of the week helps you understand schedules, operating hours, and simple conversations about planning the coming days.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Sunday	Kyriaki	Κυριακή
Monday	Deftera	Δευτέρα
Tuesday	Triti	Τρίτη
Wednesday	Tetarti	Τετάρτη
Thursday	Pempti	Πέμπτη
Friday	Paraskevi	Παρασκευή
Saturday	Savvato	Σάββατο

Numbers – Prices, Times, and Everything in Between

Prices, hours, quantities, and room numbers—numbers appear everywhere. Basic knowledge of them makes navigation easier and enhances your experience, even without a full conversation.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Zero	Miden	Μηδέν
One	Ena	Ένα
Two	Dio	Δύο
Three	Tris	Τρεις
Four	Tesseris	Τέσσερις
Five	Pente	Πέντε
Six	Exi	Έξι
Seven	Efta	Επτά
Eight	Okto	Οκτώ
Nine	Ennea	Εννέα
Ten	Deka	Δέκα
Eleven	Endeka	Έντεκα
Twelve	Dodeka	Δώδεκα
Thirteen	Deka tris	Δεκατρείς
Fourteen	Deka tesseris	Δεκατέσσερις
Fifteen	Deka pente	Δεκαπέντε
Sixteen	Deka exi	Δεκαέξι
Seventeen	Deka efta	Δεκαεπτά
Eighteen	Deka okto	Δεκαοκτώ
Nineteen	Deka ennea	Δεκαεννέα
Twenty	Ikosi	Είκοσι
One hundred	Ekato	Εκατό
One thousand	Hilia	Χίλια

Help and Emergency – Just in Case

Only for extreme cases, but important to know. Phrases related to help, medicine, and loss provide security, even if just to know what to say in a moment of stress.

And here is a list of emergency numbers needed in such cases.

English	English Pronunciation	Greek
Help	Voithia	Βοήθεια
Emergency	Epigon	Επείγον
I need help	Hriazome voithia	Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια
I need a doctor	Hriazome giatro	Χρειάζομαι γιατρό
Where is the hospital?	Pou ine to nosokomio	Πού είναι το νοσοκομείο
Police	Astinomia	Αστυνομία
I was robbed	Mou eklepsan	Μου έκλεψαν
I’m lost / I lost something	Ehhasa	Έχασα

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