It’s all Greek to me!

Travelling to a foreign country can be a daunting task. Apart form the logistics of planning the flights, accommodation and getting around, you’ve then got the task of working out what you’re reading when looking at a menu or getting directions to places. In some countries it’s easier than others. Take Germany for instance. Most folks speak at least a little bit of English and the signs are typically easy to understand. But head to Japan and it all gets a bit trickier. The symbols can be confusing, there’s a huge cultural difference and of course there’s the issue that once outside the big cities or when talking to older generations you quickly discover that they know little English, or Greek for that matter! Greece sits somewhere in between. There are plenty of English speakers and also signage in the cities is simple to follow for even those with no Greek heritage, but having a few simple phrases at your disposal will make life a whole lot easier and also goes a long way to get the locals to see you’re making an effort to communicate.

Below are some simple terms you should learn and keep on your phone when in Greece:

Hello
Yassou

YAH-sue

How are you?
Ti kanis?

tee-KAH-nis

Well/good
Poli kala

po-LEE kah-LAH

Thank you
Efkharisto

eff-kah-rees-TOH

You’re welcome/please
Parakalo

pah-rah-kah-LOH

Good morning
Kalimera

kah-lee-MEHR-rah

Good afternoon
Kalispera

kah-lees-PEH-rah

Good night
Kalinikta

kah-lee-NEEK-tah

Goodbye
kherete

KHE-reh-tay

Sorry
Signomi

seegh-NO-mee

Yes
Ne

neh

No
Ohi

OH-hee

What’s your name?
Pos se lene?

POHS seh LEH-neh

My name is…
Me lene…

meh LEH-neh…

Do you speak English?
Milas Anglika?

mee-LAHS Ang-lee-KAH?

I don’t understand
Den Katalaveno

then’ kah-tah-lag-VEH-no

Can you help me?
Borite na me?

boh-REE-teh nah

What time is it?
Ti ora ine?

tee OH-rah EE-neh

Where is…?
Pou ine?

POO EE-neh

I want…
Thelo

THEH-loh

How much is it?
Poso kani

poh-soh KAH-nee

Left
Aristera

ah-rees-teh-RAH

Right
Dexia

thek-see-AH

Open
Aniktos

ah-neek-TOHS

Closed
Klistos

klees-TOHS