50 Basic Greek Words & Phrases: Useful Common Greek Phrases And Words To Learn For Your Trip To Greece!
I still remember arriving in Athens for the very first time and checking into my hotel with a rooftop that looked straight out toward the Acropolis – I chose well! That evening as I ordered a drink and the sun disappeared behind the city, with the lights slowly wrapping around the Acropolis and the streets below will forever stay with me. Even saying a simple efharistó when my cocktail arrived made me feel more immersed in the moment, and the city, instead of just watching it from the outside.
Since then I’ve travelled through Athens and many of the idyllic Greek islands and I’m amazed how every time the same thing keeps happening – a true testament to Greek hospitality and how the locals truly appreciate this gesture. The smallest Greek words open interactions into daily life. A kalimera at a bakery, a friendly yassas on a ferry, a shy parakaló when someone helps you. Nothing perfect, nothing polished, just little human exchanges that make Greece feel even more welcoming.
This guide brings together the basic Greek words and phrases I now use every time. Simple greetings, everyday expressions, and easy pronunciations that help you join the moment rather than stand on the sidelines. Regardless if your visiting Santorini, or embarking on a Greek island hopping adventure – they will no doubt come in very handy!
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💡 Insider Tip
Before you jet off to Greece, be sure you have all your essentials packed and ready by reading our European packing guide.
What you’ll learn in this guide:
• Simple Greek greetings you’ll actually use
• Everyday expressions with easy pronunciations
• Useful travel vocabulary for food, ferries and directions
• Basic numbers to help with menus and transport
A quick tip before you start:
You don’t need perfect pronunciation. Most locals appreciate the effort even if you’re saying the words softly or slowly. Screenshot the phrases you like before you travel and keep them handy for ferries, tavernas and busy streets where you might need them fast.
50 Handy & Common Greek Words & Phrases to Learn
Basic Greek Words for Politeness
Along your travels, you’ll no likely need some basic Greek words and expressions that may range from simple pleasantries, the Greek “thank you”, or how to say “no” in Greek. Here are some of the essentials to get you started.
| English: | Greek: | Sounds Like : |
| Yes in Greek | Ναι | ne |
| No in Greek | Όχι | o-hee |
| Greek for Thank You | Ευχαριστώ | ef-ha-ree-sto |
| Please in Greek | Παρακαλώ | pa-ra-ka-lo |
| You’re Welcome in Greek | Παρακαλώ | pa-ra-ka-lo |
| Excuse Me | Συγγνώμη | see-gno-mee |
| Cheers! | Γεια μας! | ya-mas |
| Help! | βοήθεια | voh-ee-the-aa |
Greetings in Greek
Here are some more useful greetings in Greek that include things like how to say hello in Greek or what goodbye in Greek is.
| English: | Greek: | Sounds Like: |
| Good morning in Greek | Καλημέρα | kah-lee-mer-ah |
| Good evening in Greek | Καλησπέρα | kah-lee-sper-ah |
| Good night in Greek | Καληνύχτα | kah-lee-nih-tah |
| Hi / Bye | Γειά σας | yee-a sas |
| See you later | Tα λέμε | ta le-me |
When to use which Greek greeting:
“Good morning” is typically used up until noon, 12:00. Thereafter you can start switching to using ‘Geia Sas’ (Hi / Bye).
“Good evening” can start to be used around late afternoon (from around 16:00 pm onwards is good) and can be used into the night.
The use of “Good night” is really intended to signal you calling it a night and usually only later after around 21:00 pm. Say you are heading to bed or perhaps you are leaving a dinner party to head back to your hotel, then this form would be more appropriate.
Want to sound a little less touristy?
Try a quick Greek session on iTalki. A friendly tutor will help you nail the basics so you can order coffee, ask questions and toss out an efharistó with confidence. I have personally used iTalki before and you’ll be surprised how even two or three quick lessons may go a long way.
Essential Greek Phrases for Travel
The following expressions and phrases and expressions in Greek may come in very handy when trying to navigate through your travels in Greece. Regardless if you want to impress your local host, or simply want to express love in a different language, these Greek phrases will certainly come in handy!
| English: | Greek: | Sounds Like: |
| Greek for How are you? | Τι κάνεις (Singular) | ti ka-nees? |
| What is your name? | Πως σας λενε (Formal) | pos sas le-ne? |
| My name is… | To όνομα μου είναι… | to o-no-ma mou ee-ne… |
| Nice to meet you | Χαίρω Πολύ | Heh-ro po-li |
| I don’t understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω | then ka-ta-la-ve-noh |
| Do you speak English? | Mιλάτε Αγγλικά | mi-la-te a-gli-kah |
| I don’t speak Greek | δεν μιλάω Ελληνικά | then mee-lah-o he-lee-nika |
| I love Greece | Aγαπώ την Ελλάδα | a-ga-po teen e-la-da |
| How much is this? | Πόσο κάνει? | poh-so ka-nee |
| What time is it? | Τι ώρα είναι? | ti ho-ra i-neh? |
| Can you help me? | Μπορείς να με βοηθήσεις? | bo-re-te na me voy-thee-sees |
| How Do I Go To … | πώς πάω στο | pos pa-o sto |
Useful Greek Travel Vocabulary
Here are a few good-to-know Greek words that you can use in combination with the phrases mentioned above!
| English: | Greek: | Sounds Like: |
| Hotel | Ξενοδοχειο | kse-no-do-ghee-o |
| Airport | αεροδρόμιο | aero-droh-mio |
| Train Station | σταθμός τραίνου | stath-mos tre-nou |
| Taxi | ταξί | tak-si |
| Bus | Λεωφορείο | leo-foh-rio |
| Toilet | Τουαλέτα | too-ah-let-ta |
| Beer | Μπύρα | Bee-rah |
| Wine | Κρασί | Krah-see |
| Food | Φαγητό | fah-yee-toh |
| Water | Νερό | neh-roh |
| Restaurant | Εστιατόριο | es-tea-a-toh-rio |
| Bill (Cheque) | λογαριασμός | lo-gah-ree-as-moss |
| Bank | Τράπεζα | Trah-pe-za |
| Pharmacy | Φαρμακείο | phar-mah-kee-oh |
| Tourist Office | Τουριστικό γραφείο | Too-ris-ti-ko grah-fee-oh |
Basic Greek Numbers (1 to 10)
Great for ordering food or drinks, asking prices and reading menus. You’ll be surprised how often you use these.
| English: | Greek: | Sounds Like: |
| One | Ενας | en-nahs |
| Two | Δύο | thee-oh |
| Three | Τρία | tree-a |
| Four | Τέσσερα | tess-air-ah |
| Five | Πέντε | pen-day |
| Six | Εξι | ex-ee |
| Seven | Επτά | ef-ta |
| Eight | Οκτώ | oc-toh |
| Nine | Εννέα | en-nay-a |
| Ten | Δέκα | the-ka |
💡 Planning an extended trip around Greece?
I’ve gathered all my Greece guides in one place to help you plan your routes, compare islands and find the small local spots that often get missed. You can explore everything from island hopping ideas to Athens tips and destination guides right here in my Greece Travel Guides page!
Greek Travel Phrases FAQs
Is English widely spoken in Greece?
Yes, especially in cities and on the islands. You’ll have no problem getting around, but using a few Greek words always gets a warmer response.
What are the most useful Greek phrases to learn before a trip?
Start with simple greetings like kalimera and yassas, and polite words like parakaló and efharistó. These are the ones locals hear most often from visitors.
How do you pronounce Greek words if you’re new to the language?
Go slowly and focus on the general sound rather than perfection. Most Greek speakers understand when travellers try, even if the pronunciation isn’t exact.
Do I need to learn Greek to travel around the islands?
Not at all. Ferries, hotels and restaurants are used to visitors. A few basic phrases simply make interactions friendlier and more personal.
What are the best Greek words to use in restaurants?
Kalimera or kalispera to greet, parakaló when ordering and efharistó when you’re done. They go a long way in tavernas.
Planning your trip to Greece? Here are a few tools I use & recommend every time I go!
• Ferries:
I book all my island hopping with Ferryhopper. It’s easy to use and shows every route in one place.
• Accommodation:
For hotels, I usually start with Booking.com to compare locations, prices and reviews quickly.
• Activities and tours:
If you want to book experiences in advance, GetYourGuide has plenty of options for Athens and the islands
Final Thoughts
Every trip back to Greece reminds me how these tiny phrases shape the experience. A quick kalispera before dinner or a soft efharistó after a meal still gets the same warm smile I first felt on that rooftop in Athens.
Save a few phrases you like or take a screenshot before you go. You don’t need perfect pronunciation. Just trying is enough, and Greece meets you halfway. Whether you’re ordering a Greek drink with a view, waiting for a ferry or sitting down in a taverna, these small words help you feel part of the place.
