A bit of Greek  This page made for foreigners living in Greeece just for a short time and there kooking for some fast and simple help. If you can read Greek and you know the Greek sounds. If you don’t you can always try the transliteration in the Latin script.
ΚαλημÝρα - Kalimera - Good morning ΚαλησπÝρα - Kalispera - Good evening Καληνýχτα - Kalinichta - Goodnight Γεια σου / σας - Ya sou / sas - Hello or Goodbye (informal / formal) Αντßο (σας) Adio (sas) Goodbye (sas = formal) Τα λÝμε Ta leme I’ll see ya (lit. We’ll talk) Asking people how they are Τι κÜνεις / κÜνετε; Ti kanis / kanete? How are you (informal / formal) Τι Ýγινε; Ti egine? What’s happened? / happening? Πþς πας; / πÜει; / πÜτε; Pos pas / paei / pate? How’re you / he, she, it / you (plural or formal) going? Replying to the above. (Πολý) καλÜ. Ευχαριστþ. (Poly) kala. Efcharisto. (Very) well. Thank you. Μια χαρÜ Mia hara. Fine. Great. Δüξα τω Θεþ. Doksa to theo. Can’t complain (lit. Thanks to God) Ας τα λÝμε καλÜ. As ta leme kala O.K. (Let’s say all right) Δεν Ýχω παρÜπονο. Den echo parapono I have no complaint. Please, Thank you, You’re welcome, Excuse me & I’m sorry. Παρακαλþ. Parakalo Please. Ευχαριστþ. Efcharisto Thanks / Thank you (lit. I thank) Εγþ ευχαριστþ Ego efcharisto I thank you! Εμεßς ευχαριστοýμε. Emis efcharistoume We thank you! Παρακαλþ. Parakalo You are welcome. (Δεν εßναι) Τßποτα. (Den ine) tipota It’s nothing. It isn’t anything (to speak of) Με συγχωρεßτε. Me synchorite Excuse me. Συγνþμη. Sygnomi I’m sorry. Ordering things at a café ¸ναν καφÝ παρακαλþ. Ena gafe parakalo. A coffee please. (με / χωρßς γÜλα / ζÜχαρη) me / choris gala/zachari with/without milk / sugar ¸να τσÜι παρακαλþ. Ena tsai, parakalo A tea please. ¸να νερü παρακαλþ. Ena nero parakalo A (bottle of) water, please. ¸να χυμü παρακαλþ. Ena chimo parakalo A juice please. ¸να φυσικü χυμü, παρακαλþ. Ena fisiko chymo… A natural juice please. ¸να καραφÜκι οýζο παρακαλþ. Ena karafaki ouzo parakalo An ouzo please (usually a small 200 ml bottle) ¸να τüστ (ζαμπüν τυρß) παρακαλþ. Ena tost (zabon tiri) A toasted (ham & cheese) sandwich ¸να ποτÞρι (κüκκινο / Üσπρο) κρασß, παρακαλþ, Ena potiri kokkino/aspro krasi A glass of red/white wine ¸να μπουκÜλι (κüκκινο / Üσπρο) κρασß, παρακαλþ. Ena boukali kokkino/aspro krasi A bottle of red/white wine Μßα μπýρα παρακαλþ. Mia bira parakalo A beer please Μßα λεμονÜδα παρακαλþ. Mia lemonada parakalo A lemonade please. Μßα πορτοκαλÜδα παρακαλþ. Mia portokalada parakalo An orange drink please. Μßα κüκα-κüλα (ντÜιετ) παρακαλþ. Mia koka-kola (daiet) parakalo A (diet) coke please. ¸να παγωτü παρακαλþ. Ena pagoto parakalo An ice cream please. (σοκολÜτα-βανßλια-φρÜουλα) sokolata-vanilia-fraoula (chocolate-vanilla-strawberry) Το λογαριασμü παρακαλþ. To logariasmo parakalo The bill please. Ordering fast food snacks ¸να σουβλÜκι (με πßττα) παρακαλþ. Ena souvlaki (me pitta) parakalo. A souvlaki (wrapped in pitta bread), please. (με κοτüπουλο, χοιρινü, μπιφτÝκι, γýρο) me kotopoulo, hirino, bifteki, gyro with chicken, pork, mince, gyros (με / χωρßς: me/horis with / without κρεμμßδι, ντομÜτα, τζατζßκι, αλÜτι, πιπÝρι) kremidi, domata, dzadziki, alati, piperi onion, tomato, garlic dip, salt, pepper. (με απ’ üλα) me ap’ ola with everything / all inclusive ¸να σÜντουúτς παρακαλþ. Ena sandouits parakalo. A sandwich please. Μßα μπαγκÝτα παρακαλþ. Mia bagetta parakalo A baguette please. ¸να τüστ (ζαμπüν-τυρß-ντομÜτα) παρακαλþ. Ena tost (zabon-tiri-domata) parakalo A (ham-cheese-tomato) toasted sandwich please. Μßα τυρüπιττα παρακαλþ. Mia tiropita parakalo A cheese pie, please. Μßα σπανακüπιττα παρακαλþ. Mia spanakopita parakalo. A spinach pie please. Μßα κρεατüπιττα παρακαλþ. Mia kreatopitta parakalo. A (mince) meat pie, please. ¸να χÜμπουργκερ παρακαλþ. Ena hambourger, parakalo. A hamburger, please Μßα (μερßδα) πατατÜκια παρακαλþ. Mia (merida) patatatkia parakalao Some (A portion of) fries please. Μßα σοκολÜτα. Mia sokolata, parakalo. A chocolate (bar). Ευχαριστþ. Efcharisto Thanks / Thank you. Ορßστε. Oriste. Here you are. Ordering traditional Greek meals at a restaurant or tavern (NB The list below could not possibly be exhaustive. The good thing is tha, in most eating places in Greece, menus are translated into English and other European Languages, but translations have often been known to be literal, obfuscating and at times misleading.) ¸ναn κατÜλογο παρακαλþ. Ena gatalogo parakalo. (May I have) A menu please. ¸να τζατζßκι. Ena dzadziki. A yogurt and garlic dip. Μßα ταραμοσαλÜτα. Mia taramosalata. A fish roe dip (pink in colour) Μßα μελιτζανοσαλÜτα. Mia melidzanosalata. An eggplant (aubergine) dip. ¸να μουσακÜ, παρακαλþ. Ena mousaka, parakalo. A piece of moussaka, please. ¸να παστßτσιο, παρακαλþ. Ena pastitsio parakalo A piece of meat and macaroni pie. ¸ναν πατσÜ, παρακαλþ. Ena batsa parakalo A bowl of tripe soup, please. Μßα φασολÜδα, παρακαλþ. Mia fasolada, parakalo. A bowl of bean soup please. Μßα χωριÜτικη παρακαλþ. Mia horiatiki parakalo A village salad, please (includes feta cheese) Μßα παντζÜρια. Mia pandzaria. A portion of beetroot salad. Μßα χüρτα. Mia horta. A portion of boiled greens. Μßα κολοκυθÜκια vrasta. Mia kolokithakia vrasta. A portion of boiled zucchini. Μßα (μερßδα) καλαμαρÜκια, παρακαλþ. Mia kalamarakia. A portion of kalamari (fried) Μßα (μερßδα) μπριÜμ, παρακαλþ. Mia briam A portion of oven baked veg mix (potato/zucchini) Μßα (μερßδα) μελιτζÜνες φοýρνου. Mia melidzanes fournou. A portion of oven baked eggplants. Μßα (μερßδα) αρνÜκι με πατÜτες. Mia arnaki me patates A portion of lamb and potatoes. Μßα μπριζολα χαιρινÞ / μοσχαρßσια. Mia brizola hirini / moscharisia A pork / beef steak. Μßα παúδÜκια. Mia paidakia A portion of lamb cutlets (grilled) Μßα γαýρο / μαρßδα / αθερßνα / μπαρμποýνια. Mia gavro/marida/atherina/barbounia A portion of fried anchovy/white bait/red mullet. ¸ναν (or Μßα μερßδα) μπακαλιÜρο, παρακαλþ. Ena bakaliaro A portion of fried cod. Μßα σκορδαλιÜ. Mia skordalia. A plate of garlic dip (usually with the fried cod) Μßα (μερßδα) πατÜτες τηγανιτÝς. Mia patates tiganites A portion of fried potatoes (chips or French fries). Asking about things you want to buy Τι εßναι αυτü; Ti n afto? What is this? Τι εßναι αυτÜ; Ti n afta? What are these? Πüσο κÜνει; Poso kani? How much is it? Πüσο κÜνουν; Poso kanoun? How much are they? Δþστε μου Ýνα(ν)... / μßα... / Ýνα..., παρακαλþ. Doste mou enan/mia/ena…, parakalo. Give me one…/a… (masc. fem. neut.), please. Asking for & understanding directions Με συγχωρεßτε. Ποý εßναι ο... / η... / το... Me syngchorite. Pou ine o…/i…/to… Excuse me. Where is the… (masc. fem. neut.), Στο πρþτο / δεýτερο / τρßτο / τÝταρτο... στενü. Sto proto/deftero/trito/ tetarto steno… At the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th street… Στα πρþτα / δεýτερα / τρßτα... φανÜρια. Sta prota/deftera/trita fanaria… At the 1st, 2nd, 3rd set of traffic lights Θα πÜτε: ευθεßα / δεξιÜ / αριστερÜ. Tha pate efthia/deksia/aristera. You’ll go straight / right / left. Θα το... / τη... δεßτε. That to / ti dite. You ‘ll see it (neut. / fem.) Εκεß ακριβþς εßναι. Eki akrivos ine. It’s right there. Στη γωνßα. Sti gonia. At the corner. Δßπλα στο... / στη... Dipla sto / sti… Next to the… ΚοντÜ στο... / στη... Konda sto / sti… Near the… ΑπÝναντι απü το... / τη... Apenandi apo to / ti…. Across from the… At the petrol station Γεμßστε το, παρακαλþ. Gemiste to parakalo. Fill it up please. Αμüλυβδη παρακαλþ. Amolivdi parakalo Unleaded (fuel) please. Μου κοιτÜτε τα λÜστιχα, παρακαλþ. Mou kitate ta lastiha parakalo Can you check my tyres, please? Μου βÜζετε λßγο αÝρα στα λÜστιχα, παρακαλþ. Mou vazete ligo aera sta lastiha parakalo Would you put some air in my tyres please. Μου βÜζετε αÝρα στη ρεζÝρβα, παρακαλþ. Mou vazete aera sti rezerva parakalo Would you put some air in my spare tyre, pl. Μου κÜνετε λßγο τα τζÜμια, παρακαλþ. Mou kanete ligo ta tzamia parakalo Would you clean my windows a bit please. Θα Þθελα λßγο νερü στο ρεζερβουÜρ. Tha ithela l;igo nero sto reservouar I would like some water in the tank Θα Þθελα λÜδι για τα φρÝνα παρακαλþ. Tha ithela ladi gia ta frena parakalo. I would like some break fluid. Θα Þθελα λÜδι για τη μηχανÞ παρακαλþ. Tha ithela ladi gia ti michani. I would like some lubricating oil for the engine, ΥπÜρχει βουλκανιζατÝρ εδþ κοντÜ; Iparchei voulkanizater edo konda? Is there a tyre-repair place near here? Numbers 0 μηδÝν miden 1 Ýνας (μßα, Ýνα) enas (mia, ena) 2 δýο dio 20 εßκοσι ikosi 200 διακüσια diakosia 3 τρßα (τρεις) tria (tris) 30 τριÜντα trianda 300 τριακüσια triakosia 4 τÝσσερα (τÝσσερις) tessera (tesseris) 40 σαρÜντα saranda 400 τετρακüσια tetrakosia 5 πÝντε pende 50 πενÞντα peninda 500 πεντακüσια pendakosia 6 Ýξι eksi 60 εξÞντα eksinda 600 εξακüσια eksakosia 7 εφτÜ (also επτÜ) efta 70 εβδομÞντα evdominda 700 εφτακüσια eftakosia 8 οχτþ (also οκτþ) ochto 80 ογδüντα ogdonda 800 οχτακüσια oktakosia 9 εννιÜ (also εννÝα) enia 90 ενενÞντα eneninda 900 εννιακüσια eniakosia 10 δÝκα deka 100 εκατü ekato 1000 χßλια xilia In the lists that follow the Greek word in the left column is followed by an approximate transliteration in Latin script. The third column lists an explanation. Buying Cheese at the supermarket Quantities should be followed by the type of cheese you wish to purchase (no need for ‘of’). ¸να κιλü Ena kilo One / A kilo Μισü κιλü Miso kilo Half a kilo ¸να τÝταρτο Ena tetarto One / A quarter (of a kg) 200 (διακüσια) γραμμÜρια Diakosia gramaria 200gr 350 (τριακüσια πενÞντα) γραμμÜρια Triakosia peninda gramaria 350gr 10, 15, 20 φÝτες Deka, dekapende, eikosi fetes 10, 15, 20 slices. ΓνωστÜ ελληνικÜ τυριÜ – Common Greek Cheeses ΦÝτα (Παρνασσοý, Μυτιλßνης, κ.λπ) Feta (from Parnassus, Lesbos, etc.) Feta cheese Ανθüτυρο (ΚρÞτης, κ.λπ) Anthotiro Fresh white cheese Κεφαλοτýρι (ΤυρνÜβου, κ.λπ) Kefalotiri (the basis of fried Saganaki cheese) ΚεφαλογραβιÝρα (ΛÞμνου, κ.λπ) Kefalograviera - ΓραβιÝρα (ΚρÞτης, ΛÞμνου, κ.λπ) Graviera Gruyere ΜυζÞθρα Mizithra - ΚασÝρι Kaseri - (με) ΧαμηλÜ λιπαρÜ (me) hamila Lipara (with) Low fat content Non-Greek cheeses (These are more or less self-explanatory) ΜοτσαρÝλα Motsarela ΠαρμεζÜνα Parmezana Ροκφüρ Rokfor ¸νταμ Edam Γκοýντα Gouda Buying preserved meats at the supermarket (See quantities in the cheese-section above) Ζαμπüν μποýτι βραστü Zambon bouti vrasto Leg of ham (boiled) Ζαμπüν μποýτι καπνιστü Zambon bouti kapnisto Leg of ham (smoked) ΣαλÜμι Ουγγαρßας Salami Oungarias Hungarian salami ΣαλÜμι αÝρος Salami aeros Salami (air-dried) ΠÜριζα Pariza Parise Προσοýτο Prosouto Prossiuto ΜορταδÝλλα Mortadela Mortadella Γαλοποýλα Galopoula Turkey (με) ΧαμηλÜ λιπαρÜ (me) hamila Lipara (with) Low fat content Buying meat at the butcher’s Αρνß arni lamb ΜοσχÜρι moschari veal Βοδινü vodino beef Χοιρινü hirino pork Κοτüπουλο (κοτüπουλα) kotopoulo chicken Γαλοποýλα (γαλοποýλες) galopoula turkey Μποýτι (μποýτια) bouti leg/thigh Μπριζüλα (μπριζüλες) brizola steak ΠαúδÜκι (παúδÜκια) pa-idakia ribs/cutlets ΨαρονÝφρι psaronefri tender lower back filet ΦιλÝτο (φιλÝτα) fileto filet (also slice) Λαιμüς lemos neck ΠλÜτη plati back ΣπÜλα spala shoulder Κιλüτο kiloto upper rear buttock ΝουÜ noua noix (near the tail) Γλþσσα (γλþσσες) glossa tongue Μυαλü (μυαλÜ) mialo brain Συκþτι (συκþτια-συκωτÜκια) sikoti liver Νεφρü (νεφρÜ) nefro kidney Πνευμüνι (πνευμüνια) pnevmoni lung ¶ντερο (Üντερα) andero intestine Buying Basic Fish Γαýρος / Γαýρους gavros anchovy Μαρßδα marida Αθερßνα atherina white bait ΣαρδÝλα / ΣαρδÝλες sardela sardine Μπαρμποýνια barbouni red mullet Λιθρßνια lithrini Τσιποýρες tsipoura bream Ροφüς / Ροφοýς rofos snapper ΜπακαλιÜρος / ΜπακαλιÜρους bakaliaros cod Σολωμüς / Σολωμοýς solomos salmon Τüνος / Τüνους tonos tuna Κολιüς / Κολιοýς kolios mackerel ΚαλαμÜρι kalamari calamari / squid ΣουπιÜ /σουπιÝς soupia cuttle fish Γαρßδα / Γαρßδες garides prawns Χταπüδι chtapodi octopus Μýδια midia mussels Buying fruit & vegetables at the Street Market (ΛαúκÞ) Basic structure Μου δßνετε... Ýνα κιλü... πατÜτες, παρακαλþ. Μου δßνετε... δýο κιλÜ... πορτοκÜλια, παρακαλþ. Quantities ¸να, δýο etc for large fruit. Μισü κιλü… ¸να κιλü… Δýο, τρßα... κιλÜ + fruit or vegetable in the plural (in the Accusative case) Fruit (in the plural) ΜÞλα mila apples ΠορτοκÜλια portokalia oranges ΦρÜουλες fraoules strawberries ΚερÜσια kerasia cherries ΜπανÜνες bananas bananas ΡοδÜκινα rodakina white flesh peaches ΓερμÜδες germades yellow flesh peaches Βερßκοκα verikoka apricots Σταφýλια stafilia grapes ΑχλÜδια achladia pears ΝτομÜτες domates tomatoes ΑνανÜς (ανανÜδες) ananas pineapple Καρποýζι karpouzi watermelon Πεπüνι (πεπüνια) peponi honey melon Ακτινßδια aktinidia kiwi fruit Λεμüνια lemonia lemons ΑβοκÜντο avokado avocado Vegetables (mostly in the plural) ΠατÜτες patates potatos Κρεμýδια kremidia onions Αγγοýρια agouria cucumbers Καρüτα karota carrots Κουνουπßδι kounoupidi cauliflower ΛÜχανο lachano cabbage Μαροýλια maroulia green salad(s) ΣÝσκουλα seskoula silverbeet Κολοκýθια kolokithia courgettes/zucchinis ΜελιντζÜνες melidzanes aubergines/eggplants ΠιπεριÝς piperies capsicum Σκüρδα skorda garlic ΠρÜσα prasa leeks ΣÝλινο selino celery ΣπανÜκι spanaki spinach ΦρÝσκα κρεμýδια freska kremidia spring onions ΠαντζÜρια padzaria beetroot Χüρτα (ραδßκια) ‘horta’ radikia raddichio greens Χüρτα (βλÞτα) ‘horta’ vlita indigenous greens Καλαμπüκια (also αραποσßτια) kalabokia / arapositia corn / mais ΑρακÜς arakas peas ΓλυκοπατÜτα glykopatata sweet potato ΣαλÜτες salates lettuce Τσουκνßδα tsouknida nettle Some fresh Herbs usually purchased in a bunch = ματσÜκι (matsaki). Μαúντανüς ma-idanos parsley ¶νιθος anithos dill ΜÜραθος marathos fennel Δυüσμος diozmos mint Βασιλικüς vasilikos basil Δεντρολßβανο dendrolivano rosemary ΜαντζουρÜνα madzourana marjoram ΘυμÜρι thymari thyme Buying Bread at the Bakery Μßα φραντζüλα (δýο φραντζüλες) fradzola elongated loaf Μßα μπαγκÝτα (δýο μπαγκÝτες) bageta baguette ¸να καρβÝλι (δýο καρβÝλια) karveli round loaf Μßα κουλοýρα (δýο κουλοýρες) kouloura ring-shaped loaf Μßα πλεξοýδα pleksouda plait-shaped loaf ¸να ψωμß (δýο ψωμιÜ) psomi bread One of the above is approximately 500gr so you may also ask for Μισü κιλü or ¸να κιλü Types of bread ¶σπρο aspro white Μαýρο mavro brown (lit. black) ΧωριÜτικο horiatiko village style (hard crust) Πολυτελεßας polyteleias Luxury (light and fluffy) Πολýσπορο polysporo multi-grain Σßκαλης sikalis rye Σταφιδüψωμο stafidopsomo raisin bread Γιαννιþτικο gianiotiko Ioannina style (northern Greece) Ελιüψωμο eliopsomo olive bread Τυρüψωμο tiropsomo cheese bread Plus loads of other varieties you are likely to come across (drop us a pixilated electronic line with your favourite bread type) |
