Yes, no and the essentials in Greek
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Greek words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Greek phrases in this lesson
- ΝαιNEH
- Yes
- ΌχιOH-khee
- No
- Εντάξειen-DAK-see
- Okay
- Δεν καταλαβαίνωthen kah-tah-lah-VEH-noh
- I don't understand
- Μιλάτε αγγλικά;mee-LAH-teh ang-lee-KAH
- Do you speak English?
- Μπορείτε να το επαναλάβετε;boh-REE-teh nah toh eh-pah-nah-LAH-veh-teh
- Can you repeat that?
- Πιο αργά, παρακαλώpyoh ar-GAH, pah-rah-kah-LOH
- Slowly, please
- Τι είναι αυτό;tee EE-neh af-TOH
- What is this?
- Χρειάζομαι...khree-AH-zoh-meh
- I need...
- Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;boh-REE-teh nah meh voh-ee-THEE-seh-teh
- Can you help me?
"Ναι" sounds like the English "neh." Do not confuse it with the English word "nay." It means yes.
Important cultural note: Greeks tilt their head upward slightly or raise their eyebrows to mean no. This is the opposite of what most Europeans and Americans expect. Watch for it.
The go-to word for agreement or acknowledgement. Used constantly in everyday speech.
Say this calmly and most Greeks will switch to English or slow down and rephrase. Very few will be offended.
The polite plural form. Use "Μιλάς αγγλικά;" (mee-LAHS) with someone your own age or younger in a casual setting.
The Greek question mark looks like an English semicolon.
"Χρειάζομαι γιατρό" (khree-AH-zoh-meh yah-TROH), I need a doctor.