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Greece · Greek Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Γεια σας
    Hello (polite / to someone you just met) “yah sahs”
  2. 2
    Γεια σου
    Hi / Bye (casual, among friends) “yah soo”
  3. 3
    Ευχαριστώ
    Thank you “ef-hah-ree-STOH”
  4. 4
    Παρακαλώ
    Please / You're welcome / Here you go “pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  5. 5
    Συγγνώμη
    Excuse me / Sorry “see-GHNOH-mee”
  6. 6
    Καλημέρα
    Good morning “kah-lee-MEH-rah”
  7. 7
    Καλησπέρα
    Good evening “kah-lee-SPEH-rah”
  8. 8
    Αντίο
    Goodbye “ah-DEE-oh”
Local etiquette
  • Greeks prize 'philoxenia' (φιλοξενία, hospitality to guests) and are very warm to travelers. If offered coffee or a treat, accepting graciously is the polite thing to do.
  • 'Yes' (Ναι, neh) and 'no' (Όχι, ohi) are easy to mix up. In particular, a slight upward tilt of the head with a 'tsk' means 'no' — don't misread it as a nod.
  • The 'moutza' (μούντζα) — thrusting an open palm toward someone — is a serious insult, so never do it. When waving, keep your palm facing yourself.

Basics

  1. 1
    Ναι / Όχι
    Yes / No (a slight upward head tilt means 'no') “neh / OH-hee”
  2. 2
    Δεν καταλαβαίνω
    I don't understand “then kah-tah-lah-VEH-noh”
  3. 3
    Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά
    I don't speak Greek “then mee-LAH-oh eh-lee-nee-KAH”
  4. 4
    Μιλάτε αγγλικά;
    Do you speak English? “mee-LAH-teh ahn-glee-KAH?”
  5. 5
    Πιο αργά, παρακαλώ
    Slower, please “pyoh ar-GHAH, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  6. 6
    Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;
    Where is the toilet? “poo EE-neh ee too-ah-LEH-tah?”
  7. 7
    Δεν ξέρω
    I don't know “then KSEH-roh”
  8. 8
    Μπορώ να βγάλω φωτογραφία;
    May I take a photo? “boh-ROH nah VGHAH-loh foh-toh-ghrah-FEE-ah?”
Local etiquette
  • In Orthodox churches and monasteries (like Meteora) you must cover shoulders and knees; even men can't wear shorts. Some sites lend wraps or skirts.
  • Keep quiet inside churches and avoid photographing services; never use flash on icons.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Πόσο κάνει;
    How much is it? “POH-soh KAH-nee?”
  2. 2
    Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα;
    Can I pay by card? “boh-ROH nah plee-ROH-soh meh KAR-tah?”
  3. 3
    Αυτό, παρακαλώ
    This one, please “af-TOH, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  4. 4
    Μπορώ να το δοκιμάσω;
    Can I try this on? “boh-ROH nah toh thoh-kee-MAH-soh?”
  5. 5
    Μια σακούλα, παρακαλώ
    A bag, please (may cost extra) “myah sah-KOO-lah, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  6. 6
    Είναι πολύ ακριβό
    It's too expensive “EE-neh poh-LEE ah-kree-VOH”
Local etiquette
  • Outside tourist hubs, smaller towns and islands strongly prefer cash, so carry small euro notes.
  • Light haggling is fine at street markets (laiki agora), but shops with fixed prices are not bargained.
  • Many shops close for an afternoon 'mesimeri' rest and reopen in the evening.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ
    The menu, please “ton kah-TAH-loh-ghoh, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  2. 2
    Τι προτείνετε;
    What do you recommend? “tee proh-TEE-neh-teh?”
  3. 3
    Μια μπύρα / Ένα κρασί, παρακαλώ
    A beer / a glass of wine, please “myah BEE-rah / EH-nah krah-SEE, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  4. 4
    Νερό, παρακαλώ
    Water, please “neh-ROH, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  5. 5
    Έχω αλλεργία
    I have an allergy “EH-hoh ah-ler-YEE-ah”
  6. 6
    Το λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ
    The bill, please “toh loh-ghah-ryahs-MOH, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  7. 7
    Ήταν πολύ νόστιμο
    It was delicious “EE-tahn poh-LEE NOH-stee-moh”
  8. 8
    Στην υγειά μας!
    Cheers! “steen ee-YAH mahs!”
Local etiquette
  • Tip around 5–10%, left on the table or by rounding up. A small tip is customary even if a service charge is included.
  • Dinner starts very late — locals hit the taverna around 9–10 p.m. and linger for hours without rushing.
  • Meals are often shared 'meze' style with many small plates. It's good manners not to hurry the waiter.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Πού είναι η στάση;
    Where is the (bus) stop? “poo EE-neh ee STAH-see?”
  2. 2
    Ένα εισιτήριο, παρακαλώ
    One ticket, please “EH-nah ee-see-TEE-ree-oh, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  3. 3
    Πάει στο...;
    Does it go to...? “PAH-ee stoh...?”
  4. 4
    Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση, παρακαλώ
    To this address, please (taxi) “seh af-TEE tee thee-EF-theen-see, pah-rah-kah-LOH”
  5. 5
    Πού είναι το λιμάνι;
    Where is the port? (for island ferries) “poo EE-neh toh lee-MAH-nee?”
  6. 6
    Πού είναι το μετρό;
    Where is the metro? “poo EE-neh toh meh-TROH?”
  7. 7
    Χάθηκα
    I'm lost “HAH-thee-kah”
Local etiquette
  • Island travel revolves around ferries — book tickets ahead in high season, and leave slack in your schedule since weather can cancel sailings.
  • On Athens metro and buses you must validate your ticket before/after boarding, or you'll be fined.
  • For taxis, confirm the meter is running (airport fares are flat) — apps are safer (Uber dispatches licensed taxis here).

Hotel

  1. 1
    Έχω κράτηση
    I have a reservation “EH-hoh KRAH-tee-see”
  2. 2
    Θα ήθελα να κάνω check-in
    I'd like to check in “thah EE-theh-lah nah KAH-noh check-in”
  3. 3
    Τι ώρα είναι το check-out;
    What time is check-out? “tee OH-rah EE-neh toh check-out?”
  4. 4
    Ποιος είναι ο κωδικός Wi-Fi;
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “pyos EE-neh oh koh-thee-KOHS wai-fai?”
  5. 5
    Μπορώ να αφήσω τις βαλίτσες;
    Can I leave my luggage? “boh-ROH nah ah-FEE-soh tees vah-LEE-tses?”
Local etiquette
  • Many accommodations and old-town areas have limited plumbing, so it's common to be asked to put toilet paper in the bin beside the toilet, not down it.
  • You may be asked for your passport and a tourist (accommodation) tax at check-in — confirm in advance.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Βοήθεια!
    Help! “voh-EE-thee-ah!”
  2. 2
    Καλέστε την αστυνομία
    Call the police “kah-LEH-steh teen ah-stee-noh-MEE-ah”
  3. 3
    Καλέστε ασθενοφόρο
    Call an ambulance “kah-LEH-steh ahs-theh-noh-FOH-roh”
  4. 4
    Πού είναι το νοσοκομείο;
    Where is the hospital? “poo EE-neh toh noh-soh-koh-MEE-oh?”
  5. 5
    Έχασα το διαβατήριό μου
    I lost my passport “EH-hah-sah toh thee-ah-vah-TEE-ree-oh moo”
  6. 6
    Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια
    I need help “hree-AH-zoh-meh voh-EE-thee-ah”
Local etiquette
  • The unified emergency number is 112; police 100, ambulance 166, tourist police 1571.
  • Pharmacies (φαρμακείο) are marked with a green cross; the night-duty rota (dianykterevon) is posted on the door.