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