Greek Phrases for holidaymakers

Here are some easy informal greek phrases to use on vacation in Greece and the Greek Islands.

English Phrases Greek Phrases
Good morning Kalimera
Good evening
 Kalispera
Good night Kalinichta
Hello Yassou (singular/informal)
Yassas (plural/formal)
How are you? Ti kanis? (singular/informal)
Ti kanete? (plural/formal)
Very well thank-you Poli kala, efharisto (singular/informal)
Please
You're welcome		 Parakalo
Thank-you Efharisto
Excuse Me
Sorry		 Signomi
Yes ne
No ohi
A table for two, please Ena trapezi ya thio atoma, parakalo
We have a reservation for... Ehoume klisa ya...
Can I see the menu, please Ton katalogho, parakalo
What do you recommend? Ti sistinete?
I'm vegetarian Ime hortofaghos
I would like.. Tha ithela...
Where is the bathroom? Pou ine i toualetes?
The meal was very good, thank you To fayito, itan poli kalo, efharisto
Do you take credit cards? Pernete pistotikes kartes?
Do you speak English? Meelate angleeka?
I'd like to hire a boat. Tha eethela na neekyaso meea varka
The bill please To logariasmo Parakalo
With a shower
Me dous
I don't understand
Den Katalaveno
Tomorrow
 Avrio
Yesterday Hthes
Later
 Argotera
Expensive Akrivo
Stamps Gramatosima
Bank Trapeza
Hospital Nosokomio
Doctor Yiatros
Police Astynomia
 

A guide to greek pronunciation

Greek is a phonetic language , which means there are no strange pronunciations to worry about.

For example the greek for 'where is the bathroom?' is 'Pou ine i toualetes?'

The pronunciation of this sentence is

Pooh (as in Winnie the pooh)
e-nay (like e-bay)
e (as in 'me' without the m)
toy-let-es

English is commonly spoken and understood in Greece and the Greek Islands, but a visitor who makes the effort to learn a few greek phrases will be rightly rewarded by a much warmer welcome from the locals. They will really appreciate the fact that you bothered to learn some greek phrases and in showing their appreciation, you will find the Greeks are a most generous people.

Besides, the language is as beautiful as the people. Learning Greek is good for the soul.

GREEK ISLANDS