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Whilst not essential to get by, a lot of people would like to communicate in Greek, and because Greek is a phonetic language it is relatively easy to read aloud, once you have mastered pronouncing the letters, and combinations of letters, (diphthongs), and most importantly which letter to stress, as there are many words that are spelt the same, but stressing different letters completely change the meaning.
You can experience the culture and friendliness of the Cypriot people. To whet your appetite, listed below are a number of words and phrases that you may find useful, the 1st word / phrase is English, the 2nd the spelling in Greek letters, the 3rd how it sounds using English letters.
Greek is one of the oldest recorded living languages, what you hear spoken in Cyprus, whilst based on ancient Greek is classed as a dialect.
Evolved over many centuries, and influenced by the many visitors.There are English, Turkish, French, Italian & Arabic words that are now embedded in the language.
English |
Greek |
Phonetic |
Good Morning |
Καλημέρα |
kalimera |
Good evening |
Καλησπέρα |
kalispera |
Good night |
καληνύχτα |
kalinyhta |
Hello/goodbye (one person, informal) |
Γειά σου |
Yiassou |
Hello/goodbye (plural/formal) |
Γειά σας |
Yiassas |
Please |
παρακαλώ |
parakalo |
Thank you |
ευχαριστώ |
efharisto |
Yes |
Ναι |
nay |
No |
Όχι |
ohi |
How are you? |
πως είσαι |
pos ise |
Very well |
πολύ καλά |
poli gala |
Okay |
εντάξει |
endaxi |
Not so well |
όχι τόσο καλά |
ohi toso kala |
Excuse me |
συγνώμη |
sygnomi |
Nice day to-day |
ωραία μέρα σήμερα |
orea mera simera |
It is raining |
βρέχει |
vrechi |
It is cold |
κάνει κρύο |
kani krio |
It's very hot |
είναι ζέστη |
inay zesti |
What |
τι |
tee |
Why |
γιατί |
yiatee |
How |
πως |
pos |
When |
πότε |
pote |
What time is it? |
τι ώρα είναι |
ti ora ine? |
How much is this? |
πόσα είναι αυτό |
posa ine afto |
How much are these? |
πόσα είναι αυτά |
posa ine afta |
Pleased to meet you |
χαίρω πολύ |
hero poli |
Do you speak English |
μιλάς αγγλικά; |
milas agglika? |
Speak to me in Greek |
μίλα μου ελληνικά |
mila moy ellinika |
I only speak a little Greek |
μιλώ μόνο λίγα ελληνικά |
milo mono liga ellinika |
Speak slower please |
μίλα πιο σιγά σε παρακαλώ |
mila pio siga se parakalo |
What is your name |
πως σε λένε? |
pos se lene? |
My name is.. |
το όνομα μου είναι |
to onoma mou ine |
My surname is.. |
το επίθετο μου είναι |
to epitheto mou ine |
What is her name |
πως την λένε; |
pos tin lene? |
My wife's name is… |
το όνομα της γυναίκας μου είναι |
to onoma tis ghynekas mou ine |
What is his name |
πως τον λένε? |
pos ton lene? |
My husband's name is.. |
το όνομα του άντρα μου είναι |
to onoma tou antra mou ine |
My address is… |
η διευθυνση μου είναι |
I thiefthysi mou ine…. |
Street |
οδος/δρόμος |
odos/dromos |
Avenue |
λεωφόρος |
leoforos |
Where do you come from |
Από πού είσαι? |
apo pou ise? |
I'm staying at the hotel |
μένω στο ξενοδοχείο |
meno sto ksenodohio |
My phone number is.. |
το τηλέφωνο μου είναι.. |
to tilefono mou ine.. |
My mobile is…. |
το κινητό μου είναι |
to kinito mou ine |
I am …… years old |
είμαι (…) χρονών |
imay (…) hronon |
I am married (male) |
είμαι παντρεμένος |
imay pantremenos |
I am married (female) |
είμαι παντρεμένη |
imay pantremeni |
I am single (male) |
είμαι ελεύθερος |
imay eleftheros |
I am single (female) |
είμαι ελεύθερη |
imay eleftheri |
Are you married (male)? |
είσαι παντρεμένος; |
isay pantremenos? |
Are you married (female)? |
είσαι παντρεμένη; |
isay pantremeni? |
The above are just a few words and small phrases which are sure to help you during your stay in Cyprus. For a better, and more systematic CONVERSATIONAL GREEK, the EASY WAY :
Subsidised Greek lessons at Kathikas Village OR in the comfort of your own home
Group or Individual Various Levels
Charges per session:
Individual: €12 per hour
Group: €6 per 90 minutes
For more details, please contact:
Michael Tsindos
99606335
26632633