100 Basic Greek Phrases for Beginners: Speak Greek in Everyday Situations

You don't need fluent Greek to have a warm, functional exchange with a shopkeeper in Athens or a waiter on Crete. A handful of well-chosen phrases — said with a smile and reasonably close pronunciation — will carry you through greetings, meals, directions, and small emergencies. This guide collects 100 basic Greek phrases for beginners, organized by situation, with pronunciation guides and notes checked against established language references.

How Greek Pronunciation Works for Beginners

Before diving into the phrases themselves, it helps to know a few quirks of Greek pronunciation:

Stress matters. Greek words have one stressed syllable, marked with an accent (´) in writing. Getting the stress right often matters more than getting every vowel perfect.
The letter χ is a fricative sound. It can sound somewhat like the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch," though its exact pronunciation shifts slightly depending on the vowel that follows it — softer before "e" and "i" sounds, harder before "a," "o," and "u" sounds. In the transliterations below, we render it as "h" rather than "ch," since English "ch" (as in "chair") is a different sound entirely.
"Th" appears in two forms: a soft "th" as in "think" (θ) and a harder "th" as in "this" (δ), which we'll write as "dh" where the distinction matters.
Greek uses its own alphabet, so every phrase below includes the Greek script, a simple transliteration, and the English meaning.

With that groundwork, here are the essential Greek phrases for beginners, grouped by the situations where you'll actually use them.

Greetings and Farewells

Greetings are the first of the common Greek phrases any traveler should learn, since they set the tone for every interaction.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Γεια σου	Yia su	Hello (informal, one person)
Γεια σας	Yia sas	Hello (formal, or to a group)
Καλημέρα	Kaliméra	Good morning
Καλησπέρα	Kalispéra	Good evening
Καληνύχτα	Kaliníhta	Good night
Χαίρετε	Hérete	Hello / Goodbye (formal)
Αντίο	Adío	Goodbye
Τα λέμε	Ta léme	See you later
Καλή συνέχεια	Kalí sinéhia	Have a good rest of your day
Καλό ταξίδι	Kaló taxídi	Have a good trip

Formal vs. Informal: Γεια σου vs. Γεια σας

Greek distinguishes between informal and formal "you," and it shows up constantly in everyday Greek phrases. Γεια σου is for friends, peers, or anyone your own age. Γεια σας is technically the plural form, but it's also used as the polite singular — the one to reach for with elders, officials, or in professional settings. The same pattern applies to Πώς είσαι; (informal) versus Πώς είστε; (formal), further down this list. When in doubt, start formal; Greeks are generally relaxed about the switch once a conversation warms up.

Politeness and Basic Responses

These phrases are the glue that holds a polite conversation together — you'll use them dozens of times a day.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Ευχαριστώ	Efharistó	Thank you
Ευχαριστώ πολύ	Efharistó polý	Thank you very much
Παρακαλώ	Parakaló	Please / You're welcome
Συγγνώμη	Signómi	Sorry / Excuse me
Δεν πειράζει	Den pirázi	It's okay / No problem
Ναι	Ne	Yes
Όχι	Óhi	No
Μπορεί	Borí	Maybe / It could be

A quick note on Μπορεί: on its own, Greeks do use it colloquially to mean "maybe," but the same word also means "can" or "may" depending on the sentence it sits in — it's a flexible word rather than a fixed equivalent of "maybe." As a beginner, it's fine to use it as a standalone reply, just don't expect it to translate as cleanly as English "maybe" in every context.

Introducing Yourself

Once the pleasantries are out of the way, these beginner Greek phrases let you introduce yourself.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Με λένε...	Me léne...	My name is...
Πώς σε λένε;	Pos se léne?	What's your name? (informal)
Πώς σας λένε;	Pos sas léne?	What's your name? (formal)
Χαίρω πολύ	Héro polý	Nice to meet you
Από πού είσαι;	Apó pu íse?	Where are you from?
Είμαι από...	Íme apó...	I am from...
Πόσο χρονών είσαι;	Póso hronón íse?	How old are you?
Είμαι ... χρονών	Íme ... hronón	I am ... years old

Small Talk: Asking How Someone Is Doing

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Πώς είσαι;	Pos íse?	How are you? (informal)
Πώς είστε;	Pos íste?	How are you? (formal)
Καλά, ευχαριστώ	Kalá, efharistó	Good, thank you
Τι κάνεις;	Ti kánis?	How's it going?
Έτσι κι έτσι	Étsi ki étsi	So-so
Κι εσύ;	Ki esí?	And you?

Getting Help With the Language Itself

If you're going to lean on any Greek conversation phrases repeatedly, it's these — they let you ask for patience while you're still learning.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Μιλάτε αγγλικά;	Miláte angliká?	Do you speak English?
Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά	Den miláo elliniká	I don't speak Greek
Μιλάω λίγα ελληνικά	Miláo líga elliniká	I speak a little Greek
Δεν καταλαβαίνω	Den katalavéno	I don't understand
Μπορείτε να επαναλάβετε;	Boríte na epanalávete?	Can you repeat that?
Πιο αργά, παρακαλώ	Pio argá, parakaló	Slower, please
Πώς το λένε αυτό στα ελληνικά;	Pos to léne aftó sta elliniká?	How do you say this in Greek?
Τι σημαίνει αυτό;	Ti siméni aftó?	What does that mean?

Asking for Directions and Getting Around

Whether you're navigating a village or the Athens metro, these useful Greek phrases will get you where you need to go.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Πού είναι...;	Pu íne...?	Where is...?
Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;	Pu íne i tualéta?	Where is the bathroom?
Πηγαίνετε ευθεία	Piyénete efthía	Go straight ahead
Στρίψτε δεξιά	Strípste dexiá	Turn right
Στρίψτε αριστερά	Strípste aristerá	Turn left
Είναι κοντά;	Íne kondá?	Is it near?
Πόσο μακριά είναι;	Póso makriá íne?	How far is it?
Πού είναι ο σταθμός;	Pu íne o stathmós?	Where is the station?
Ένα εισιτήριο, παρακαλώ	Éna isitírio, parakaló	One ticket, please
Πότε φεύγει το τρένο;	Póte févyi to tréno?	When does the train leave?
Πότε φεύγει το λεωφορείο;	Póte févyi to leoforío?	When does the bus leave?
Πού είναι το αεροδρόμιο;	Pu íne to aerodrómio?	Where is the airport?
Μπορείτε να μου δείξετε στον χάρτη;	Boríte na mu díxete ston hárti?	Can you show me on the map?
Θέλω ένα ταξί, παρακαλώ	Thélo éna taxí, parakaló	I'd like a taxi, please

At the Hotel

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Έχετε ελεύθερο δωμάτιο;	Éhete eléftero domátio?	Do you have a free room?
Ένα δωμάτιο για μια νύχτα	Éna domátio yia mia níhta	A room for one night
Τι ώρα είναι το check-out;	Ti óra íne to check-out?	What time is check-out?
Έχει wifi;	Éhi wifi?	Is there wifi?
Το κλειδί, παρακαλώ	To klidí, parakaló	The key, please

Ordering Food and Dining Out

Food is central to Greek culture, and knowing common Greek phrases for the table will make dining out far more enjoyable.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Ένα τραπέζι για δύο, παρακαλώ	Éna trapézi yia dío, parakaló	A table for two, please
Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ	Ton katálogo, parakaló	The menu, please
Τι προτείνετε;	Ti protínete?	What do you recommend?
Θα ήθελα...	Tha íthela...	I would like...
Νερό, παρακαλώ	Neró, parakaló	Water, please
Είναι νόστιμο	Íne nóstimo	It's delicious
Είμαι χορτοφάγος	Íme hortofágos	I am a vegetarian
Έχω αλλεργία στα...	Ého alleryía sta...	I am allergic to...
Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ	Ton logariasmó, parakaló	The bill, please
Καλή όρεξη	Kalí órexi	Enjoy your meal
Στην υγειά μας!	Stin yiá mas!	Cheers! (to our health)
Ήταν πολύ καλό, ευχαριστώ	Ítan polý kaló, efharistó	It was very good, thank you

Shopping and Handling Money

These practical, everyday Greek phrases come up constantly in markets, shops, and cafés.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Πόσο κάνει;	Póso káni?	How much is it?
Είναι πολύ ακριβό	Íne polý akrivó	It's very expensive
Είναι πολύ ακριβό για μένα	Íne polý akrivó yia ména	It's too expensive for me
Μπορώ να το δοκιμάσω;	Boró na to dokimáso?	Can I try it on?
Δέχεστε κάρτα;	Déheste kárta?	Do you accept card?
Μόνο μετρητά	Móno metritá	Cash only
Θα το πάρω	Tha to páro	I'll take it
Έχετε κάτι πιο φθηνό;	Éhete káti pio fthinó?	Do you have something cheaper?

Feelings, Needs, and Small Emergencies

Being able to describe how you feel or ask for urgent help is one of the most practical reasons to learn Greek expressions before you travel.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Πεινάω	Pináo	I am hungry
Διψάω	Dipsáo	I am thirsty
Είμαι κουρασμένος/κουρασμένη	Íme kurasménos / kurasméni	I am tired (male/female speaker)
Μου αρέσει	Mu arési	I like it
Βοήθεια!	Voíthia!	Help!
Χρειάζομαι γιατρό	Hriázome yiatró	I need a doctor
Πού είναι το νοσοκομείο;	Pu íne to nosokomío?	Where is the hospital?
Καλέστε την αστυνομία	Kaléste tin astinomía	Call the police
Είμαι χαμένος/χαμένη	Íme haménos / haméni	I am lost (male/female speaker)
Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια, παρακαλώ	Hriázome voíthia, parakaló	I need help, please
Έχασα το διαβατήριό μου	Éhasa to diavatírió mu	I lost my passport

Common Exclamations and Well-Wishes

Rounding out the list, these expressions add warmth and personality to your everyday Greek.

Greek	Pronunciation	Meaning
Ωραία!	Oréa!	Great! / Nice!
Τέλεια!	Télia!	Perfect!
Καλή τύχη!	Kalí týhi!	Good luck!
Χρόνια πολλά!	Hrónia pollá!	Happy birthday! / Best wishes!
Θέλεις να κάνουμε παρέα;	Thélis na kánume paréa?	Would you like to hang out?
Τα λέμε αύριο!	Ta léme ávrio!	See you tomorrow!
Καλό Σαββατοκύριακο!	Kaló savvatokíriako!	Have a good weekend!
Να προσέχεις!	Na proséhis!	Take care!
Δεν πειράζει, όλα καλά	Den pirázi, óla kalá	It's fine, all good
Στο καλό!	Sto kaló!	Go well! / Safe travels!

That's the full 100. Χρόνια πολλά! is worth a small note: it's often translated simply as "Happy birthday," but Greeks also use it for name days and other celebratory occasions, so listen for the context rather than assuming it's always about a birthday.

Bonus: Numbers 1–10 (Not Counted Above)

For quick reference, here are the numbers 1–10, since you'll need them for prices and quantities: ένα (éna), δύο (dío), τρία (tría), τέσσερα (téssera), πέντε (pénte), έξι (éxi), εφτά (eftá), οχτώ (ohtó), εννιά (enniá), δέκα (déka).

Putting These Phrases Into Practice

Memorizing a list is only the first step — the phrases above start to stick once you use them in real exchanges. A few practical habits help:

Practice out loud, even alone. Greek pronunciation relies on rhythm as much as individual sounds.
Start every interaction with a greeting and end it with a thank-you. These two habits alone make a strong impression, even if the rest of your Greek is shaky.
Don't worry about perfect grammar at this stage. Native speakers overwhelmingly respond to effort and tone, not grammatical precision, when a visitor is clearly a beginner.

Learning basic Greek phrases isn't about achieving fluency overnight — it's about building enough of a toolkit to feel comfortable, respectful, and understood in everyday situations.

FAQ

Do I need to learn the Greek alphabet to use these phrases?

No. The transliterations above let you read and pronounce the phrases without knowing the alphabet, though learning it will help with reading signs and menus.

What Greek phrases should I learn first?

Start with greetings (Γεια σου, Καλημέρα), the two politeness essentials (Ευχαριστώ, Παρακαλώ), and one question you'll ask constantly: Πού είναι...; ("Where is...?"). This will become natural with practice.

Will Greek people mind if I mispronounce words?

Generally, no — attempting the language is well received, and most people will help you along or gently correct you if asked.

Sources & References

The Greek phrases, language notes, and pronunciation guidance in this article were checked against established Greek-language and linguistic reference resources.

Centre for the Greek Language (Κέντρο Ελληνικής Γλώσσας)
A state-supervised Greek language research and educational institution providing resources on Modern Greek, grammar, phonetics, vocabulary, and language learning.
Visit the Centre for the Greek Language
Centre for the Greek Language — Triantafyllidis Dictionary
A major Modern Greek reference resource providing pronunciation and phonetic transcription information for Greek words and forms.
View the pronunciation and phonetic transcription resource
Omniglot — Useful Modern Greek Phrases
A language reference resource containing commonly used Modern Greek phrases, English meanings, informal and formal forms, transliterations, and pronunciation-related resources.
View the Modern Greek phrases reference

These references were consulted to support the Greek language and pronunciation information presented in this article. The explanations, organization, examples, and beginner-focused teaching approach are original to Learnora Books.

100 Basic Greek Phrases for Beginners: Speak Greek in Everyday Situations