Greetings and politeness in Greek
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. 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 11 Greek phrases in this lesson
- Γεια σαςYAH-sas
- Hello
- Καλημέραka-lee-MEH-ra
- Good morning
- Καλησπέραkah-lee-SPEH-rah
- Good evening
- Αντίοa-DEE-oh
- Goodbye
- Τα λέμεta LEH-meh
- See you
- Παρακαλώpa-ra-ka-LOH
- Please
- Ευχαριστώef-kha-ree-STOH
- Thank you
- ΤίποταTEE-poh-tah
- You're welcome
- Λυπάμαιlee-PAH-meh
- Sorry
- Συγγνώμηsee-GNOH-mee
- Excuse me
- ΧάρηκαKHAH-ree-kah
- Nice to meet you
The polite form, using the plural "you". It greets a stranger, an elder, or a group, which makes it the safe default for a visitor.
Used from waking until early afternoon. Greeks exchange this with shopkeepers and neighbors as a matter of course.
Used from late afternoon on, on arrival. As a parting at night, καληνύχτα (kah-lee-NEEKH-tah).
A neutral, universally understood farewell. "Γεια" is also commonly used as goodbye among friends.
Literally "we'll talk", the casual see you. Αντίο (an-DEE-o) sounds more final.
The same word used for "you're welcome." Placing it at the end of a request softens the tone considerably.
Works in virtually any situation. Perfectly polite on its own.
Literally "nothing", the everyday reply to thanks. Παρακαλώ (pa-ra-ka-LOH) works too, but it is already please.
Literally "I am sad", the real apology.
Use it to get someone's attention, to squeeze past on the street, or to apologize. A versatile, essential word.
Literally "I was glad", said after an introduction.