Hello (informal)
Γεια σου
(Ya su)
Use "Γεια σας" (Ya sas) for groups or in formal situations.
Greetings
Phrasebook
Speak a little of the place.
Essential phrases for Greek, French, Spanish, and Italian — with phonetics, cultural notes, and pronunciation. Use practice mode before you travel.
38 phrases · Greek
Hello (formal / to a group)
Γεια σας
(Ya sas)
Greetings
Good morning
Καλημέρα
(Ka-li-MÉ-ra)
Greetings
Good evening
Καλησπέρα
(Ka-li-SPÉ-ra)
Greetings
Good night
Καληνύχτα
(Ka-li-NÍH-ta)
Said when parting for the night, not when going to sleep.
Greetings
Goodbye
Αντίο
(An-DÍ-o)
Greetings
A table for two, please
Ένα τραπέζι για δύο, παρακαλώ
(É-na tra-PÉ-zi ya DÝ-o, pa-ra-ka-LÓ)
Restaurants
The menu, please
Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ
(Ton ka-TÁ-lo-go, pa-ra-ka-LÓ)
Restaurants
I'd like…
Θα ήθελα…
(Tha Í-the-la)
Restaurants
It's delicious!
Είναι νόστιμο!
(Í-ne NÓS-ti-mo)
Greeks genuinely love to hear this. Say it and mean it.
Restaurants
The bill, please
Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ
(Ton lo-ga-ria-SMÓ, pa-ra-ka-LÓ)
Restaurants
I'm vegetarian
Είμαι χορτοφάγος
(Í-me hor-to-FÁ-gos)
Restaurants
Please
Παρακαλώ
(Pa-ra-ka-LÓ)
Also means "you're welcome" — one word, two jobs.
Restaurants
Thank you
Ευχαριστώ
(Ef-ha-ri-STÓ)
Restaurants
Thank you very much
Ευχαριστώ πολύ
(Ef-ha-ri-STÓ po-LÍ)
Restaurants
Excuse me
Συγγνώμη
(Si-gnÓ-mi)
Use to catch a waiter's attention — polite and widely understood.
Restaurants
Could I have…?
Μπορώ να έχω…;
(Bo-RÓ na ÉH-o)
Restaurants
Where is…?
Πού είναι…;
(Pu Í-ne)
Transport
How much is a ticket to…?
Πόσο κάνει το εισιτήριο για…;
(PÓ-so KÁ-ni to i-si-TÍ-ri-o ya)
Transport
Is this the bus to…?
Αυτό είναι το λεωφορείο για…;
(Af-TÓ Í-ne to le-o-fo-RÍ-o ya)
Transport
Airport
Αεροδρόμιο
(A-e-ro-DRÓ-mi-o)
Transport
Metro station
Σταθμός μετρό
(Stath-MÓS me-TRÓ)
Transport
Help!
Βοήθεια!
(Vo-Í-thia)
Emergencies
Call the police!
Φωνάξτε την αστυνομία!
(Fo-NÁK-ste tin as-ti-no-MÍ-a)
Emergencies
I need a doctor
Χρειάζομαι γιατρό
(Hri-Á-zo-me ya-TRÓ)
Emergencies
Hospital
Νοσοκομείο
(No-so-ko-MÍ-o)
Emergencies
Thank you
Ευχαριστώ
(Ef-ha-ri-STÓ)
Politeness
Please / You're welcome
Παρακαλώ
(Pa-ra-ka-LÓ)
The same word covers both meanings — context makes it clear.
Politeness
Excuse me
Με συγχωρείτε
(Me sin-ho-RÍ-te)
Politeness
Sorry
Συγγνώμη
(Si-gnÓ-mi)
Politeness
I don't understand
Δεν καταλαβαίνω
(Then ka-ta-la-VÉ-no)
Politeness
Do you speak English?
Μιλάτε αγγλικά;
(Mi-LÁ-te ang-gli-KÁ)
Politeness
Left
Αριστερά
(A-ri-ste-RÁ)
Directions
Right
Δεξιά
(Dhek-si-Á)
Directions
Straight ahead
Ευθεία
(Ef-THÍ-a)
Directions
Near
Κοντά
(Kon-TÁ)
Directions
Far
Μακριά
(Ma-kri-Á)
Directions
Stop here
Σταματήστε εδώ
(Sta-ma-TÍ-ste e-DHÓ)
Useful in taxis.
Directions
Local etiquette
·Greece
Dining
Who pays the bill
Greeks often insist on paying the entire bill for their guests — a refusal can feel like an insult. The host-guest dynamic around food is deeply rooted in the concept of philoxenia (love of strangers).
Locals expect: Accept graciously the first time; you can reciprocate next time by insisting yourself.
Often seen: Visitors sometimes try to split the bill immediately, which can unintentionally offend a Greek host.
Gestures
The moutza — never do it
Thrusting an open palm toward someone's face (the moutza) is one of the most offensive gestures in Greece, roughly equivalent to an extreme insult. It comes from a Byzantine practice of rubbing rubbish into a prisoner's face.
Locals expect: Avoid any open-palm gesture directed at a person's face; wave goodbye with the back of your hand instead.
Often seen: Some visitors wave enthusiastically with an open palm, which locals may misread as a moutza.
Religion
Dress for churches and monasteries
The Greek Orthodox Church is central to daily life. Churches and monasteries require modest dress — shoulders and knees covered — for both men and women.
Locals expect: Carry a scarf or use the wraps often provided at the entrance; avoid sleeveless tops.
Often seen: Visitors wearing shorts or sleeveless clothing are often turned away at the door.