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With an oral tradition of 4,000 years and a written one of around 3,000 years, the Greek language is probably the oldest European language that has influenced the Indo-European languages as no other. Modern Greek is a southern Greek dialect which is spoken throughout Greece by a population of around 10 million (plus some 5 million Greeks who live abroad).
Especially in Crete, the Greek language has a recognizable accent and various dialects, some of which are hard to understand, even by mainland Greeks. You won’t have any problems getting by though, as most Cretans who are involved with tourism speak at least some English. However, foreigners who try to speak Greek are always appreciated, since Cretans consider this to be a charming way of getting closer to the local culture and to make contact. And don’t worry about making any mistakes, or you will never say anything!
Following words and phrases are a survival kit for basic Greek and will help you communicate in a simple way.
| Greek |
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Pronounced |
| Α, α |
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a as in father |
| Β, β |
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v as in vet |
| Γ, γ |
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y as in yes (before an e or i) and gh ("with air" before consonants or a/o/ou) |
| Δ, δ |
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dh as in they |
| Ε, ε |
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e as in wet |
| Ζ, ζ |
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z as in zero |
| Η, η |
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ee as in breeze |
| Θ, θ |
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th as in thanks |
| Ι, ι |
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i as in bit |
| Κ, κ |
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k as in cold |
| Λ, λ |
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l as in love |
| Μ, μ |
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m as in man |
| Ν, ν |
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x as in ox |
| Ξ, ξ |
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v as in vet |
| Ο, ο |
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o as in not |
| Π, π |
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p as in pink |
| Ρ, ρ |
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r as in red |
| Σ, σ, ς |
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s as in sorry |
| Τ, τ |
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t as in ten |
| Υ, υ |
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ee as in here |
| Φ, φ |
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f as in fine |
| Χ, χ |
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ch as in loch or a thick h sound |
| Ψ, ψ |
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ps as in psalm |
| Ω, ω |
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o as in not |
LETTER COMBINATIONS AND DIPHTHONGS
| αι |
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e as in bed |
| αυ |
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av / af, depending on the following consonant |
| ει |
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ee as in breeze |
| οι |
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ee as in breeze |
| ευ |
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ev / ef, depending on the following consonant |
| ου |
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oo as in boom |
| γγ |
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ng as in anger |
| γκ |
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g as in good |
| γξ |
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nks as in anxiety |
| μπ |
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b as in bad (at the beginning of a word), mb as in amber (in the middle) |
| ντ |
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d as in dear |
| τς |
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ts as in hats |
| τζ |
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dz as in heads |
Following words and phrases are a survival kit for basic Greek and will help you communicate in a simple way
COMMUNICATION ESSENTIALS
Hello Yá sas /
Héreteh
Goodbye Adéeyoh
Good morning Kaleeméra
Good evening Kaleespéra
Good night Kaleenéehta
Yes Neh
No Óhee
Please Parakalóh
Here you go Oréesteh
Thank you Efhareestóh
You’re welcome Parakalóh
Okay Endáksee
Sorry Seegnómee
Excuse me Meh seegchoréeteh
How are you? Tee káneteh?
I’m fine Kalá
And you? K’ yesées?
What’s your name? Pos se léneh?
My name is… Me léneh….
Where are you from? Apóh poo éeseh?
I’m from… Éemeh apóh….
Do you speak English? Meeláteh Angleekáa?
I don’t understand Dhen katalavénoh
I don’t know Dhen xéroh
I have Éhoh
Do you have… Éheteh…
I’d like… Tha éethela
Hold on a second Meesóh leptóh
Let’s go Pámeh
Have a seat Kátseh
See you! Stoh Kalóh
Cheers! Yá mas! / Eeseeyéea!
Enjoy your meal Kalée órexee
Stranger, guest Xénos
Stop it! Stamáta!
Leave me alone Afeeséh me!
Go away Féeyeh!
A little Lígho
A lot Polée
Hot Zestóh
Cold Kréeyo
Quickly Ghréeghora
Slowly Seeghá
Where is… Poo éeneh?
How far is it to… Pósoh makreeyá íneh ya…
Straight ahead Efthéeya
Left Areesteráa
Right Dhexyáa
At the corner Stee ghonéeya
At the traffic lights Sta fanárya
Bridge Yéfeera
Tunnel Tóonel
Near Kondáa
Far Makreeyá
Opposite Apénandee
Behind Písoh
Next to Dhéepla stoh
In front of Brostá apóh
SIGHTSEEING
City Pólee
Village Horyóh
Countryside Eparhéeya
Market Laeekée
Square Platéeya
Old town Palyá pólee / palyóh horyóh
Museum Mooséeyoh
Church Ekleeséeya
Archaeological site Archaeoloyikós hóros
Beach Paraléeya
Sea Thálassa
EMERGENCY / HEALTH
Help! Vohéetheeya!
Stop! Halt Stamatéesteh!
Call a doctor Fonáxteh énan yatróh
Call an ambulance Fonáxteh éna asthenofóroh
Call the police Fonáxteh teen asteenoméeya
Call the fire brigade Fonáxte teen peerosvesteekée
Where is the hospital? Poo éeneh to nosokoméeyoh?
Where is a pharmacy? Poo éeneh éna farmakéeyoh?
Where is a dentist? Poo éeneh énas odhondéeyatros?
Where is the medical centre? Poo éeneh to yatreekóh kéntroh?
Where is a private clinic? Poo éeneh méeya eedheeyoteekée kleeneekée?
I’m ill Éemeh árrostos (m) / árrostee (f)
It hurts here Ponáee edhóh
I have… Éhoh…
I sprained my ankle Strambóoleexa to pódhee moo
I’m allergic to… Éemeh alleryeekós (m) / alleryeekée (f) ya..
Condoms Profeelakteekáa
Contraceptives Andeeseeleepteekáa
Medicine Fármakoh
Diarrhoea Dheeyáreeya
Sun protection cream Ándee eeleeyakóh (ládhee)
ACCOMMODATION
I’m looking for a room Psáhnoh ya éna dhomáteeyoh
I’m looking for a hotel Psáhnoh ya éna xenodhohéeyoh
I’m looking for an apartment Psáhnoh ya éna dheeyaméreesma
Single room Monókleenoh
Double room Dhéekleenoh
Bed Krevátee
Breakfast Proeenóh
Bathroom Bányoh
Toilet Tooaléta
Hot water Zestóh neróh
Cold water Kréeyo neróh
The key To kleedhée
How much is it? Pósoh kánee?
Can I see it? Boróh na to dhoh?
Cheap Fteenóh
Expensive Akreevóh
Per night Tee vradhyáa
Per person Toh átomoh
I’m leaving today Févghoh séemera
SHOPPING / SERVICES
What time opens… Tee óra anéeyee
What time closes… Tee óra kléenee
The shop Toh maghazée
The bank Ee trápeza
The tourist office Toh tooreesteekóh ghraféeyoh
The post office Toh taheedhroméeyoh
The telephone centre Toh teelefoneekóh kéndroh
The embassy Ee presvéeya
Passport Toh dheeyavatéereeyoh
Visa Ee véeza
How much is it? Pósoh kánee?
It’s too expensive Éeneh polée akreevóh
It’s cheap Éeneh ftheenóh
I don’t like it Dhen moo arésee
I’ll take it Tha toh pároh
May I see Boróh na dhoh
I’m just looking Aplós keetázoh
Do you accept credit cards? Dhéhesteh peestoteekés kártes?
ON THE MOVE
Taxi Taxée
Bus Leoforéeyoh
Boat Karávee
Plane Aeroplánoh
Train Trénoh
Ticket Eeseetéereeyoh
Station Stathmós
Bus stop Stásee
I’d like to hire a car Théloh na neekyásoh éna aftokéeneetoh
I’d like to hire a bike Théloh na neekyásoh éna meehanákee
I’d like to hire a jeep Théloh na neekyásoh éna dzeep
I’d like to hire a bicycle Théloh na neekyásoh éna podhéelatoh
Gas station Venzeenádheekoh
Gas Venzéenee
Diesel Petréleoh
Leaded Sóoper
Unleaded Amóhleevdhee
Oil Ládhee
Fill it up Yémeeséh toh
Where do I pay? Poo pleerónoh?
Can I park here? Boróh na parkároh edhóh?
Garage Gkaráaz
The bike has broken down To meehanákee hálaseh
The car won’t start To aftokéeneetoh dhen pérnee brostáa
I have a flat tyre Épatha lásteehoh
I’ve run out of gas Émeena apóh venzéenee
I’ve had an accident Épatha éna atéeheema
QUESTION WORDS
Where Poo
When Póteh
Why Yatée
What Tee
Who Pyós
How Pos
How much Pósoh
TIME
What time is it? Tee óra éeneh?
Half past one Méeya keh meesée
A quarter past one Méeya keh tétartoh
A quarter to two Dhéeyoh pará tétartoh
Three o’clock Trees ee óra
One hour Méeya ee óra
One minute Éna leptóh
One second Éna dhefteróleptoh
Yesterday Hthes
Today Séemera
Tomorrow Ávreeyoh
Morning Proée
Noon Messeméree
Afternoon Apóyevma
Evening Vrádhee
Night Néehta
Monday Dheftéra
Tuesday Tréetee
Wednesday Tetártee
Thursday Pémptee
Friday Paraskevée
Saturday Sávatoh
Sunday Keereeyakée
January Yanooáreeyos
February Fevrooáreeyos
March Márteeyos
April Apréeleeyos
May Mý-os
June Eeóoneeyos
July Eeóoleeyos
August Ávghoostos
September Septémvreeyos
October Októvreeyos
November Nohémvreeyos
December Dhekémvreeyos
SEASONS
Spring Áneexee
Summer Kalokéree
Autumn Ftheenóporoh
Winter Heemónas
NUMBERS
1 éna
2 dhéeyoh
3 tréeya
4 téssera
5 péndeh
6 éxee
7 eftáa
8 okhtóh
9 enyáa
10 dhéka
11 éndeka
12 dhódheka
13 dhekatréeya
14 dhekatéssera
15 dhekapéndeh
16 dheka éxee
17 dheka eftáa
18 dhekaokhtóh
19 dheka enyáa
20 éekosee
21 éekosee éna
30 treeyánda
40 saránda
50 penéenda
60 exéenda
70 evdhoméenda
80 oghdhónda
90 enenéenda
100 ekatóh
200 dheeyakósya
1,000 héelya
2,000 dhéeyo heelyádhes
1,000,000 éna ekatoméereeyo
GREEKS’ GREEK
Ya! Hi!
Éla! Come / come on / speak up
Ópah! Hold it / stop / oops
Tee yéeneteh? What’s up?
Étsee ky’étsee So and so
Seeghá seeghá Slowly / not so fast / take your time
Reh! Hey, you
Éla reh / áde reh! What’s up man / come on man / really?
Maláka Lit ‘wanker’, but often used as an informal, familiar address, or as an insult (depending on context)
Mánghas Dude, smartass
Kamákee Lit ‘fish trident’: someone who’s ‘fishing’ for customers (PR) or women
Meelámeh! Wow!
Eerémeeseh! Relax!
Ghamótoh! Shit / fuck it
Áde ghaméesoo Fuck you
Reh, to bóostee! (Lit ‘fag’): what a moron!
Ay sto dhyáoloh! Go to hell / Get out of here, really? (depending on context)
Varyémeh I’m bored
Tseeghároh cigarette
Kapnéezees? Do you smoke?
Éhees fotyáa? Do you have a light?
ACRONYMS
AFM (pron: Ah Fee Mee) tax number
ANEK Shipping Company of Crete SA
EHIC European Health Insurance Card
ELPA Greek Motoring and Touring Club
ELTA Greek Postal Service
EOS Greek Mountaineering Association
EOT Greek Tourism Organization
FPA (pron: Fee Pee Ah) VAT, Value Added Tax
IKA Institution of Social Insurance
KKE Communist Party of Greece
KTEL National Bus Cooperative
ND New Democracy (political party)
OAED Organization of Labour Force
OTE Greek Telephone Company
PALSO Panhellenic Association of Language School Owners
PASOK Panhellenic Socialist Party
TEVE Greek Insurance Scheme for the Self-employed
GLOSSARY
Aghorá ancient city’s commercial area; today: (street) market; in general: shopping precinct
Áyios / Ayía saint, holy
Andártes rebels, Cretan fighters for independence
Basílica early Christian church
Bouzoúki stringed lute-like instrument
Dhimarhío town hall
Dhomátia rooms for rent
Ekklissáki miniature chapel, often along the road, in commemoration
of someone who died in an accident on that spot
Eparhía countryside
Epitáphios construction depicting Christ on his bier, decorated with flowers for the Easter procession
Eteo-Cretan lit: true Cretan; Eteo-Cretans are believed to have been descendants of the Minoans, who kept their language and culture alive by seeking refuge in the mountains of eastern Crete during the Mycenaean / Dorian period
Hellás / Elládha Greek name for Greece
Ikonostássio wooden partition between the nave of a church and the altar, often embellished with icons
Kafenío coffeehouse (traditionally male only)
Kámbos (fertile) agricultural plain
Káto lower (as in town or village)
Kérnos ancient cult vessel or altar for offerings
Lárnaca Minoan clay coffin
Linear A Minoan script (not deciphered)
Linear B Mycenaean script (deciphered)
Lustral basin a small, sunken chamber in Minoan palaces, reached by steps
Líra small, violin-like instrument
Mandinádha traditional Cretan rhyming song with often improvised lyrics
Meltémi north wind that blows across the Aegean in summer
Mezédhes appetizers
Moní monastery, convent
Necrópolis lit: city of the dead, ancient cemetery
Néos / néa / néo new, young
Nomós prefecture (Crete is divided into four)
Nótos prevailing southern wind, mainly in spring and autumn
Odhós street
Panayía Mother of God, the Virgin Mary
Paniyíri local festival, celebration of a holy day
Paralía beach, seafront
Peak sanctuary hilltop shrine
Períptero (street) kiosk
Peristyle columns surrounding a building or an area (temple, courtyard)
Philoxénia hospitality
Píthos large ceramic storage jar
Platía square
Propýlea portico to an ancient building
Rebétika blues songs, commonly associated with the underworld of the Interbellum period
Rhýton libation vessel
Rizítika traditional patriotic songs of West Crete
Spíleo cave
Stoá columned (covered) walkway, usually in an aghora
Vólta stroll, promenade, ride
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