Greek Language

Many of the Greek people that you will come across in Rhodes, Mykonos and Santorini will have a reasonable understanding of English, particularly in shops and restaurants, but an attempt to use Greek is very much appreciated and considered good manners. 

Helpful phrases

English Greek Pronunciation

Hello

Yassou

YAH-sue

Good Morning 

Kalimera 

kah-lee-mehr-rah 

Good Evening

Kalispera

kah-lees-peh-rah

How are you?

Ti kanis?

tee-kah-nis

Good night 

Kalinikta

kah-lee-neek-tah

 Goodbye

Kherete

Khe-reh-tay 

Yes

Ne

Neh

No

Ohi

 oh-hee

What?

Pos

Pohs

How?

Posso

Posso

Who?

ο οποίος

o opeeoss

Please

parakaloúme

Para-kalo

I'm sorry

Signomi

seegh-no-mee

Thank you

Efkharisto

eff-kah-rees-toh

You're welcome

Parakalo

pah-rah-kah-loh

I want a beer

Thelo mia  mpira

theh-loh me-ah be-rah

Tea

Tsai

tsah-e

Coffee

Kafe

kah-feh

Wine

Krasi

Krah- see

Water

Nero

neh- ro

Bus

Λεωφορείο

Layowfo 'reeo

Taxi

Taksi

Taxi

 

    Greek Alphabet and Numbers

  A - 'ah'

  B - 'buh'

   C -   'see'

  D - as in 'drum

  E - 'eh

  Fas in 'farm'

  G - as in 'give'

  H - as in 'help'

  İ - 'ee'

  J   - as in the French name 'Jean'

   - as in 'kin'

   L  -  as in 'lost'

  M - as in 'men'

  N - as in 'now'

  O - 'oh'

   P - as in 'pet'

  Q - as in 'queen'

   R  - 'rolled' very lightly

  S - as in 'snake'

  T - as in 'team'

  U - 'u'

   V  - as in 'vinegar'

  W -  as in 'window'

  Y - as in 'yes'

   Z -  'zuh'

 Number Greek Pronunciation

1

Ena

En -a

2

Dio

Thee-oh

3

Tria

Tree-a

4

Tessera

Tess-air-uh

5

Pente

Pen-day

6

Exi

Ex-ee

7

Epta

Ef-ta

8

Octo

oc-toh

9

Ennea

en-nay-a

10

Deka

Thek-a

  

When ordering food it is helpful to know what your options are on the menu! Some menus outside may be purely in Greek, and the following words can be very useful;

English Greek Pronunciation

Chicken

κοτόπουλο

koto- poulo

Fish

ψάρι

ps-ari

Lamb

apvaki

arn-aki

Beef steak

μοσχαρίσια μπριζόλα

mos-chari-sia bri-zola

Pork

χοιρινό

choi-rino

Sugar

ζάχαρη

zach - ari

Salt

άλας

a- las

Bread

ψωμί

pso- mi

Hot

καυτό

kaf- to

Cold

κρύο

kr - yo

Ice cream

παγωτό

pago-to

A beautiful sweet pastry dessert  sold in Greek bakeries and you will see this as a dessert option on most menus

Baklava

Back-la-var