A great way to construct Greek vocabulary is to begin with the fundamentals earlier than transferring onto extra particular phrases that relate to why you’re studying the language. For instance, if you wish to study Greek for a visit away, it is smart to cowl greetings, widespread Greek phrases, and travel-related vocabulary.
On this article, we’ll enable you to take your first steps to study Greek on-line – you’ll discover greetings, numbers, journey and restaurant vocabulary, plus widespread questions and solutions. Let’s get began!
Greek greetings
There are a number of methods to say whats up in Greek, which rely on what time it’s and the way effectively you already know the individual you’re speaking to. Listed below are among the most used greetings:
Γεια: Howdy and goodbye
Γεια (Yeia) is the Greek phrase for whats up, but it surely can be used to say goodbye. You’ll typically hear it as γεια σας (yeia sas) or γεια σου (yeia sou). Though they’ve the identical which means, they’re utilized in completely different contexts.
You’d use γεια σας when greeting a number of folks, a superior, or somebody you don’t know very effectively. It’s both formal or plural. Γεια σου, however, is casual, which works very effectively when greeting an in depth pal. It’s at all times singular.
Each γεια σας and γεια σου can be utilized at any time of the day!
Καλημέρα: Good morning
Καλημέρα (kaliméra) means good morning in Greek. Like in English, it combines the Greek phrases for good (kalí) and morning (méra). You’d almost certainly hear it earlier than 12 pm.
Καλησπέρα: Good afternoon
Καλησπέρα (kalispéra) is the Greek phrase for good afternoon.
Χαίρετε: Formal whats up
Χαίρετε (Hérete) is a proper approach of claiming whats up in Greek, just like the English phrase “greetings.”
Έλα: Casual whats up
The literal translation of έλα (éla) in Greek is “come,” but it surely’s additionally utilized in different contexts. One among them is to greet pals – we are able to say it’s an off-the-cuff approach of claiming whats up.
Αντίο: Goodbye
Αντίο (adío) is the Greek phrase for goodbye, which can be utilized in each formal and casual conditions.
Primary Greek phrases for on a regular basis life
When you’ve discovered the greetings, transfer ahead with different widespread every day life phrases, equivalent to please and thanks.
Ναι: Sure
Many English audio system get confused with this phrase because it feels like “no” in English, however ναι (ne) is certainly sure in Greek!
Όχι: No
Όχι (óhi) is the way you say no in Greek.
Ευχαριστώ: Thanks
The Greek phrase for thanks, ευχαριστώ (efharistó), will enable you to sound extra well mannered. While you need to put extra emphasis in your “thanks,” you may say ευχαριστώ πολύ (efharistó polí), which means “thanks very a lot.”
Παρακαλώ: Please and also you’re welcome
Παρακαλώ (Parakaló) has two meanings: “please” and “you’re welcome.” So that you’ll hear it when folks ask you to do one thing, but in addition after they reply after you say thanks, or ευχαριστώ (efharistó).
Συγγνώμη: Sorry
Συγγνώμη (Signómi) is a helpful phrase in varied conditions. Reminiscent of whenever you need to apologize for being late or whenever you by chance stumble upon somebody.
Χάρηκα and χαίρω πολύ: Good to satisfy you
While you first meet somebody, you should utilize χάρηκα (hárika) or χαίρω πολύ (héro polí) to say good to satisfy you.
Greek numbers
Subsequent in our fundamental Greek vocabulary checklist is the numbers. Understanding the numbers will enable you to ask how a lot one thing prices in a store, for instance.
Studying 1 to 10 is an effective first step:
- Ένα (Éna)
- Δύο (Dío)
- Τρία (Tría)
- Τέσσερα (Tésera)
- Πέντε (Pénte)
- Έξι (Éxi)
- Επτά (Eptá)
- Οκτώ (Októ)
- Εννέα (Enéa)
- Δέκα (Déka)
Why not observe by studying out your telephone quantity?
Journey vocabulary in Greek
That is when your every day life vocabulary will shine! You’ll doubtless say “thanks” and “please” on a regular basis throughout your travels in a Greek-speaking nation. Nevertheless it’s additionally helpful to know the names of locations you’d like to go to and actions you’d love to do. Let’s have a look:
Greek phrases for journey actions and locations
Listed below are some place and exercise names you’d doubtless come throughout throughout your travels:
- Ξενοδοχείο (Xenodochío): Resort
- Αεροδρόμιο (Aerodrómio): Airport
- Παραλία (Paralía): Seaside
- Εστιατόριο (Estiatório): Restaurant
- Τουαλέτα (Toualéta): Bathroom
- Μουσείο (Mousío): Museum
- Πόλη (Póli): Metropolis
- Κολύμπι (Kolímpi): Swimming
- Ηλιοθεραπεία (Iliotherapía): Sunbathing
- Περιήγηση (Periígisi): Sightseeing
- Ψώνια (Psónia): Buying
- Πεζοπορία (Pezoporía): Mountaineering
Keep in mind to ask the concierge on the entrance desk on the xenodochío when you want any mousío or periígisi suggestions!
Greek journey phrases
One other approach you may increase your vocabulary earlier than your journey is to study travel-related phrases. Listed below are some examples:
- Πόσο κοστίζει; (Póso kostízi?): How a lot does it price?
- Πόσο κάνει; (Póso káni?): How a lot is it?
- Πού είναι η παραλία; (Poú íne i paralía?): The place is the seaside?
- Πού είναι η τουαλέτα; (Poú íne i toualéta?): The place is the bathroom?
- Πόσο κοστίζει ένα εισιτήριο για το μουσείο; (Póso kostízi éna isitírio gia to mousío?): How a lot does a ticket to the museum price?
- Πότε φεύγει το λεωφορείο; (Póte févgi to leoforeío?): When does the bus go away?
- Πότε φτάνει; (Póte ftáni?): When does it arrive?
- Τι ώρα φεύγει το λεωφορείο; (Ti óra févgi to leoforío?): What time does the bus go away?
- Έχετε μενού στα αγγλικά; (Éhete menú sta angliká?): Do you’ve gotten a menu in English?
- Ένα εισιτήριο προς το… παρακαλώ. (Éna isitírio professionals to… parakaló): One ticket to… please.
- Συγγνώμη, δεν καταλαβαίνω. (Signómi, den katalavéno): Sorry, I don’t perceive.
Meals vocabulary in Greek
Order confidently within the taverna and reply the waiters’ questions by studying Greek meals vocabulary.
Frequent meals names in Greek
Listed below are some fundamental meals phrases you’ll come throughout in lots of Greek eating places and supermarkets:
- Ψωμί (Psomí): Bread
- Τυρί (Tirí): Cheese
- Κρέας (Kréas): Meat
- Ψάρι (Psári): Fish
- Σαλάτα (Saláta): Salad
- Φρούτα (Froúta): Fruits
- Λαχανικά (Lachaniká): Greens
- Νερό (Neró): Water
- Μπύρα (Bíra): Beer
- Κρασί (Krasí): Wine
- Ζάχαρη (Záhari): Sugar
- Αλάτι (Aláti): Salt
- Φραπέ (Frappé): Greek iced espresso
- Ούζο (Ouzo): Alcoholic Greek aperitif
Ordering meals in Greek
Now, let’s cowl some phrases that may enable you to order meals, ask for the invoice, and make reservations in Greek.
- Θα ήθελα… (Tha íthela…): I would love…
- Θα ήθελα μια μπύρα (Tha íthela mia bíra): I would love a beer
- Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ (Ton logariasmó, parakaló): The invoice, please
- Καλή όρεξη (Kalí órexi): Take pleasure in your meal
- Γεια μας! (Yia mas!): Cheers!
- Ένα τραπέζι για δύο παρακαλώ (Ena trapézi gia dío parakaló): A desk for 2, please
- Μπορώ να πληρώσω με μετρητά / κάρτα; (Boró na pliróso me metritá / kárta?): Can I pay with money / card?
- Με (Me): With
- Με τυρί (Me tirí): With cheese
- Χωρίς (Horís): With out
- Χωρίς ζάχαρη (Horís záhari): With out sugar
With these useful phrases, your frappé will at all times come horís záhari when you so select!
Primary Greek phrases to speak about your self
Let’s say some pleasant locals you met at a restaurant need to get to know you higher. On this case, you’d doubtless reply questions on your identify, the place you’re from, and what you do.
Listed below are some examples:
- Πώς σε λένε; (Pós se léne?): What’s your identify?
- Με λένε… (Me léne…): My identify is…
- Τι κάνεις; (Ti kánis?): How are you?
- Καλά είμαι. Kalá íme): I’m tremendous.
- Από πού είσαι; (Apó poú íse?): The place are you from?
- Είμαι από… (Íme apó…): I’m from…
- Μιλάς αγγλικά; (Milás angliká?): Do you converse English?
- Μιλάω αγγλικά και λίγα ελληνικά (Miláo angliká kai líga elliniká): I converse English and a bit Greek
- Σου αρέσει η ελληνική μουσική; (Sou arési i ellinikí mousikí?): Do you want Greek music?
- Ναι, μου αρέσει πολύ η ελληνική μουσική (Ne, mou arési polí i ellinikí mousikí): Sure, I actually like Greek music
- Τι δουλειά κάνεις; (Ti douliá kánis?): What do you do for work?
- Είμαι… (Íme…): I’m…
- Πόσο χρονών είσαι; (Póso hronón íse?): How previous are you?
- Είμαι… (Íme…): I’m…
Construct your customized vocabulary lists with a Greek tutor
Everybody learns a language for a special purpose. You might need to speak to your Greek grandmother about her village, so that you’d want quite a lot of descriptive phrases and a particular native dialect. Or possibly you’re studying Greek in your important different, which implies you would possibly need to decide up some affectionate Greek phrases.
It doesn’t matter what your purpose is, on-line Greek classes with knowledgeable tutor will provide you with the precise vocabulary you want. Because the classes are 1-on-1, your tutor can dedicate their full consideration to your distinctive wants and studying objectives, ensuring you study probably the most related vocabulary alongside the best way.