The Greek Language - Essential Holiday Phrases

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Rhodes

Greek Language: Useful tips and phrases to help you get by

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

F - as in 'farm'

G - as in 'give'

H - as in 'help'

İ - 'ee'

J - as in the French name 'Jean'

K - 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