Essential Words and Phrases

Now that you can read the Greek alphabet, let us put your skills to use with essential vocabulary and phrases. This lesson focuses on high-frequency words you will encounter in everyday Greek.

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Greetings and Polite Expressions

Greek	Transliteration	Meaning	When to Use
Γεια σου	ya soo	Hello / Goodbye (informal)	With one person you know
Γεια σας	ya sas	Hello / Goodbye (formal/plural)	With strangers, elders, or groups
Καλημέρα	kalimera	Good morning	Until around noon
Καλησπέρα	kalispera	Good evening	From afternoon onwards
Καληνύχτα	kalinichta	Good night	When parting at night
Ευχαριστώ	efcharisto	Thank you	Anytime
Παρακαλώ	parakalo	Please / You're welcome	Requests and responses to thanks
Συγγνώμη	signomi	Excuse me / Sorry	Apologies or getting attention
Ναι	ne	Yes	Warning: "ne" means YES in Greek!
Όχι	ochi	No

Important false friend: