Research-backed learning guide
Essential Greek phrases for beginners
Twenty useful Modern Greek phrases for greetings, everyday needs and conversation repair, with formality and natural context.
Learn Greek phrases as flexible exchanges tied to situations. Keep a likely reply beside each opening so memorised language becomes interaction.
Greetings and connection
GreekMeaning and use
Καλημέρα.Good morning.
Γεια σας.Hello; polite or plural.
Τι κάνετε;How are you? Polite or plural.
Πώς σας λένε;What is your name? Polite.
Χάρηκα.Nice to meet you.
Everyday needs
GreekMeaning and use
Έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ.One coffee, please.
Πόσο κάνει;How much is it?
Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;Where is the bathroom?
Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;Can you help me?
Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα;Can I pay by card?
Protect the conversation
GreekMeaning and use
Δεν καταλαβαίνω.I don’t understand.
Μπορείτε να το επαναλάβετε;Can you repeat that?
Πιο αργά, παρακαλώ.More slowly, please.
Τι σημαίνει…;What does … mean?
Πώς το λέμε στα ελληνικά;How do we say it in Greek?
Small responses that sound human
GreekMeaning and use
Βέβαια.Of course.
Ακριβώς.Exactly.
Εξαρτάται.It depends.
Δεν πειράζει.That’s all right.
Τα λέμε.See you; informal.
Turn phrases into speech
Choose five for one scene, listen to a contemporary native model, retrieve them from the situation and substitute one element. End with an unexpected reply that forces you to clarify.
Questions learners ask
Frequently asked questions
Does Greek distinguish formal and informal you?
Yes. εσύ is informal singular; εσείς is plural and the usual polite form.
What does παρακαλώ mean?
Depending on context it can mean please, you’re welcome or an invitation to continue.
Will these phrases work throughout Greece?
Yes, though pronunciation and everyday preferences vary by region and speaker.