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Greek Language - Learn Basic Greek Words And Phrases

Greek language is considered as one of the most difficult languages to learn. This page is not going to teach you how to speak Greek, but you can learn some basic Greek words and phrases in order to impress your friends in Crete.

As it happens in every country, people in Crete will be glad to hear you trying to speak their language. Even if all you can say is "kalimera" or "Yassou", people will smile and open up.

Learn Greetings in Greek :

In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script

kalimera = good morning - καλημέρα. Used both when coming to and going away from a place.

kalispera = good afternoon - καλησπέρα. Used only when coming to a place or meeting someone in the evening or at night.

kalinihta = good night - καληνύχτα. Used only as a goodbye greeting in the evening or at night.

herete (e as in egg) = hello - χαίρετε, used between 10:00 and 14:00

yassou = hello or goodbye - γειά σου (greeting to one person or a friend)

yassas = hello or goodbye - γειά σας (greeting to more persons or a more formal and polite way to greet an unknown person)

adio = goodbye - αντίο

Yassou file mou Niko = Hello my friend Niko, an easy way to please a Greek friend of yours.

Learn the names of Towns and Places in Crete and Greece

In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script

Samaria = Samaria (Gorge) - Σαμαριά. Most tourist guides call it Samaria which is wrong because the emphasis is on the last syllable. The same applies to Chania, Knossos and Phaistos.

Learn the Greek Numbers:

- Greek numbers - How to count in Greek, flash movie with all numbers in Greek. Also more information about numbers and math symbols in Greek.

Learn the colours in Greek

Greek names of countries

Learn Common Greek Phrases

In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script

The Greek Alphabet and the sounds of the Greek letters

- The sound of the letters of the Greek Alphabet, flash movie with the Greek letters

Combinations of letters (Greek diphthongs) :

Greek words used in the English language

Many words used in English and other European languages come from Greek words. Here are some examples: apathy, basic, basis, cartographer, crisis, democratic, dialogue, enthusiasm, enthusiastic, geography, geometry, harmony, harmonic, history, magic, method, organ, organisation, organize, oxymoron, pachyderm, pathos, politics, problem, strategic, technology, telepathy, telephone, titanic.

A great percentage of medical terminology is also Greek:

In 1957 and 1959, the Greek economist Professor Xenophon Zolotas, Governor of the bank of Greece and Governor of the Funds for Greece, delivered two speeches in English using Greek words only. As Prof. Zolotas said:

"`I always wished to address this Assembly in Greek, but I realized that it would have been indeed Greek to all present in this room. I found out, however, that I could make my address in Greek which would still be English to everybody. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I shall do it now, using with the exception of articles and prepositions only Greek words".

• Learn Greek, learn basic Greek words and phrases
• Letters of the Greek Alphabet, flash movie with the Greek letters and information about the Greek Aplhabet
• Greek numbers, read about Greek numbers and learn how to count in Greek
• Say Merry Christmas in Greek, Christmas wishes in Greek
• Greek words for stars, planets and zodiac signs, learn the Greek words for the Sun, the Earth and other planets
• The two speeches of Xenofon Zolotas
• The article Drama and Theater by Dr. John Kalaras and the speech of Dr. Panayotis Soukakos are two examples of speaking English with Greek words
• The Greek Strategy by Tassos Athanassopoulos