Greek (Ελληνικά) is one of the oldest attested Indo-European languages, known from 1400 BCE in inscriptions in a syllabary of Minoan origin. The present alphabet was introduced by a Phoenician called Qadmu (Κάδμος) about 800 BCE and has been in use continuously since then, with a few letters added and removed along the way. The 24-letter alphabet used in Classical Greek is the same one used today. Greek forms its own isolated branch within the Indo-European language family. Thus it is not related closely to any other Indo-European language. Greek is the official language of both Greece and Cyprus, but is only spoken in the south of the latter.

Many Greek words have been borrowed into other languages, so you will find a lot of these words familiar, such as τραύμα (trauma, "injury") and σοφία (sofia "wisdom, knowledge"). Originally they were borrowed into Latin, which became the Romance languages. The changes Greek words underwent in Latin are different from those they underwent in Greek. For instance, in a rare case of someone actually returning a word he borrowed, κίνημα (kinema, motion) was borrowed into Latin as cinema, which in French acquired the meaning "movie", and was returned to Greek as σινεμά (sinema).

Greek has changed less in the last two thousand years than English has in the last five hundred. It still has three genders, five cases, and movable ν. Although the dative dropped out of use in Greek before the dative merged with the accusative in English, one can still form the dative of μπαγλαμάς (a stringed instrument smaller than the μπουζούκι), even though it belongs to a new declension. So if you know some Attic or Koine Greek and pronounce it as Modern Greek, though you will sound archaic, you will probably be understood.

Letters and Pronunciation

Following are the uppercase and lowercase versions of each letter, followed by its name in English (Latin) and Greek. (You can also see how the transliteration works)

Vowel Sounds

• VOWELS

Α/α alpha (άλφα)

as in pat

Ε/ε epsilon (έψιλον)

as in pet

Η/η eeta (ήτα)

as in reed

Ι/ι iota (ιώτα)

as in reed, though when followed by a vowel it can often be pronounced like y - example: its very name, it's either said as iota or yota.

Ο/ο omicron (όμικρον)

as in pot

Υ/υ eepsilon (ύψιλον)

as in reed

Ω/ω omega (ωμέγα)

as in pot

• DIPHTHONGS

ΑΙ/αι alpha-iota

as in pet; If you want to pronounce AI as in British English "icon" use the ϊ; the same rule applies to all other diphthongs with the I letter.

ΕΙ/ει epsilon-iota

as in wheat

ΟΙ/οι omicron-iota

as in wheat

ΥΙ/υι eepsilon-iota

as in wheat

ΟΥ/ου omicron-eepsilon

as in pool

ΑΥ/αυ alpha-eepsilon

ΕΥ/ευ epsilon-eepsilon

For the last two diphthongs: when followed by a voiceless consonant or a vowel or nothing (end of the word), the upsilon is pronounced as f resulting to 'af' and 'ef'; though, when followed by a voiced consonant the f is voiced as well making it a v.. so we have 'av' and 'ev'. (example: 'aura' and 'tau' in Greek are pronounced as 'avra' and 'taf'.

Consonants and such Clusters

• CONSONANTS

Β/β veeta (βήτα)

V/v

Γ/γ gamma (γάμμα)

a voiced version of chi, as w in woman, but stronger. Before epsilon (γε) and iota (γι), as in yet and yiddish. Also see consonant clusters.

Δ/δ thelta (δέλτα)

as in those / Spanish soft d as in "nido" / Norse Ð/ð

Ζ/ζ zeeta (ζήτα)

as in zone

Θ/θ theeta (θήτα)

th as in thorn / Norse Þ/þ

Κ/κ kappa (κάππα)

as in kinetic

Λ/λ lamtha (λάμδα)

L/l

Μ/μ mee (μι)

M/m

Ν/ν nee (νι)

N/n

Ξ/ξ ksee (ξι)

X/x as in ax

Π/π pee (πι)

P/p as in ape

Ρ/ρ rho (ρο)

Spanish/Scottish R/r

Σ/σ/ς sigma (σίγμα)

S/s as in some. Before voiced consonants it gets voiced to z

Τ/τ taf (ταυ)

T/t

Φ/φ fee (φι)

F/f

Χ/χ hee (χι)

Scottish ch [loch] / like an H/h but with the tongue touching the palate

Ψ/ψ psi (ψι)

as in lips

• SPECIAL CONSONANT CLUSTERS:

Γκ/γκ gamma-kappa

as in gong

γγ gamma-gamma

as in gong

γχ gamma-hee

n+hee / like ngh in Buckingham: Μπάκιγχαμ

Μπ/μπ mee-pee

as in bumble / B/b. At the beginning of the word is read just as b. Inside the word is pronounced like mb

Ντ/ντ nee-taf

as in dander / D/d. At the beginning of the word is read just as d. Inside the word is pronounced like nd

All the above 5 diphthongs can be nasalized more or less depending to the speaker.

Any other consonant combination is pronounced like their English counterparts.

Just remember which is the proper letter in English!

Notes on sounds, accents etc.

The accent (similar in usage as in Spanish), if written, is placed on the vowel of the tonic syllable, or onto the second vowel if there's a diphthong. If there's an accent at the first vowel of a diphthong, or a diaeresis on the second, then it isn't an actual diphthong and the two vowels are pronounced separately. The former occasion is the most common, but since words written in capital letters never get accents, the diaeresis is the only way to note the broken diphthong at all-caps phrases - English such example: naïve. (diairesis = two dots on top of iota or upsilon, Ϊ/ϊ - Ϋ/ϋ)

All vowels have the same short length. So yes, there are 2 ways to write 'e', 6 to write 'i' and 2 letters to write 'o'!

Diphthongs 'γγ' and 'γχ' are never found at the start of a word. Vowel diphthong 'υι' is very rare, virtually only in a couple words.

Greek language lacks a 'sh' sound. Consequently there are only simple unaspirated s, z, ts, j, x 's (no shame, pleasure, luxurious, chin etc.). Also, "ς" is the form of Sigma used only when it is the last letter of a word. Graphically it looks like English s.

The capital letters are more or less the same as those of the English alphabet. Although the small letters seem entirely different (and some of them are indeed) in people's handwriting they can be extremely close to English.

Note also that Greek punctuation differs a little: The Greek question mark (ερωτηματικό) is just like the Latin semi-colon ; . While the Greek semi-colon (άνω τελεία) is like the full stop "flying" just above the line •.

Greek people know they have a difficult language (for foreigners) and don't expect any tourist to know more than a couple words. And even while they think it's easy phonetically, they understand the problems foreigners have pronouncing it. You can say gamma as a hard 'g', chi as 'h', and rho as an unrolled English 'r', you can also say "au" or "eu" instead of "av" and "ev" and you'll be totally understood. People in no way expect you to be proficient in any aspect of Greek, so by studying a bit before visiting you can really impress people and win their hearts! Of course, it will require serious effort and dedication to learn to speak Greek fluently, as Greek grammar is admittedly more complex than it is in most other languages (much more demanding than German, for example, which is a language with relatively complex grammar). But still, you can master relatively easily the fundaments of communication and get your meaning across. And even if you don't, don't despair: almost all Greeks (but the oldest) can understand and speak English.

Phrase list

Basics

Hello.

Γεια σας. (YAH sahss) (means literally "your health")

Hello. (informal)

Γεια σου. (YAH soo)

How are you?

Τι κάνετε; (tee KAH-neh-teh?)

Fine, thank you. (And you?)

Καλά, ευχαριστώ. (Και εσείς;) (kah-LAH ef-khah-rees-TOH (keh eh-SEES?))

What is your name?

Πώς σε λένε; (pohs seh LEH-neh?)

My name is ______ .

Με λένε ______ . / Ονομάζομαι _____ .(Με LE-neh _____ . / Ono-MAH-zo-meh ____ .)

Nice to meet you.

Χάρηκα / Χαίρω πολύ. (HA-ree-ka / ΗEH-ro po-LEE)

Please.

Παρακαλώ. (pah-rah-kah-LOH)

Thank you (very much).

Ευχαριστώ (πολύ). (ef-hah-rees-TOH po-LEE)

You're welcome.

Παρακαλώ. (Pah-rah-kah-LOH)

Yes.

Ναι / Μάλιστα (polite) . (neh / MAH-li-sta)

No.

Όχι. (OH-hee)

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Συγγνώμη / Με συγχωρείτε . (See-GHNO-mee / Meh seen-ho-REE-teh)

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Συγγνώμη. (See-GHNO-mee)

I'm sorry.

Λυπάμαι. (lee-PAH-meh)

See you later.

Τα λέμε. (Ta LE-me)

Goodbye.

Αντίο. (AHN-dee-oh)

I can't speak Greek [well].

Δεν μιλώ (καλά) ελληνικά. (dhen mee-LOH KAH-lah eh-lee-nee-KAH)

Do you speak English?

Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (mee-LAH-teh ang-glee-KAH?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Μιλάει κανείς εδώ αγγλικά; (Mee-LAH-ee ka-NEES e-DHO ang-glee-KAH?)

Help!

Βοήθεια! (Voh-EE-thee-yah!)

Good day. / Good morning.

Καλημέρα. (kah-lee-MEH-rah)

Good evening.

Καλησπέρα. (kah-lee-SPEH-rah)

Good night.

Καληνύχτα. (kah-lee-NEEKΗ-tah)

I don't understand.

Δεν καταλαβαίνω. (dhen kah-tah-lah-VEH-no)

Where is the toilet?

Που είναι η τουαλέτα; (poo ΕΕ-ne ee too-ah-LEH-tah?)

Condom

Προφυλακτικό (pro-fee-lak-tee-KO)

I love you

Σ'αγαπώ (sa-gha-POH)

You are beautiful/handsome

Είσαι όμορφη/όμορφος. (EE-seh OH-mor-fee/OH-mor-fos)

You have nice eyes

Έχεις ωραία μάτια. (E-khees or-EH-ah MA-tiah)

Problems

Leave me alone.

Αφήστε με ήσυχο (male)/ ήσυχη (female). (a-FIS-te me EE-si-kho / EE-si-khee)

Don't touch me!

Μην με αγγίζεις! (meen meh ang-GEEH-zees)

I'll call the police.

Θα καλέσω την αστυνομία. (Tha kah-LEH-soh teen ah-stih-noh-MIH-ah)

Police!

Αστυνομία! (ah-stih-noh-MIH-ah)

Stop! Thief!

Σταματήστε τον κλέφτη! (Stah-mah-TIH-steh ton KLEH-ftee!)

I need your help.

Χρειάζομαι την βοήθειά σας. (hreeh-AH-zoh-meh teen voh-EEH-thih-AH sas)

It's an emergency.

Είναι επείγον. (EEH-neh eh-PEEH-ghon)

I'm lost.

Έχω χαθεί. (EH-hoh hah-THEEH)

I lost my bag.

Έχασα την τσάντα μου. (EH-hah-sah teen TSAHN-dah mooh)

I lost my wallet.

Έχασα το πορτοφόλι μου. (EH-hah-sah toh por-toh-FOH-leeh mooh)

I'm sick.

Είμαι άρρωστος/τη . (EE-me hah-ROHS-tos/tee )

I've been injured.

Είμαι τραυματισμένος/νη. (EEH-meh trav-mah-tees-MEH-nos/nee)

I need a doctor.

Χρειάζομαι γιατρό. (hree-AH-zoh-meh yiah-TROH)

Can I use your phone?

Μπορώ να χρησιμοποιήσω το τηλέφωνό σας; (mboh-ROH nah khree-see-moh-pee-EEH-soh toh tee-LEH-foh-NOH sahs?)

Numbers

The different forms of 1-4, 13, 14, 21, 23, 1000, are used with nouns of different genders.

1

ένας/μία/ένα (EH-nahs / MEE-ah / EH-nah)

2

δύο (DHEE-oh)

3

τρεις/τρια (trees / TREE-ah)

4

τέσσερις/τέσσερα (TESS-a-reess / TESS-a-rah)

5

πέντε (PEN-deh)

6

έξι (EH-xee)

7

επτά (ep-TAH)

8

οκτώ (okh-TOH)

9

εννέα (en-EH-ah)

10

δέκα (DHEH-kah)

11

έντεκα (EN-deh-kah)

12

δώδεκα (DHOH-dheh-kah)

13

δεκατρείς/δεκατρία (dheh-kah-TREES / dheh-kah-TREE-ah)

14

δεκατέσσερις/δεκατέσσερα (dheh-kah-TESS-eh-rees / dheh-kah-TESS-eh-ra)

15

δεκαπέντε (dheh-kah-PEN-deh)

16

δεκαέξι (dheh-kah-EX-ee)

17

δεκαεπτά (dheh-kah-ep-TAH)

18

δεκαοχτώ (dheh-kah-okh-TOH)

19

δεκαεννέα (dheh-kah-en-EH-ah)

20

είκοσι (EE-koss-ee)

21

εικοσιένας/εικοσιμία/εικοσιένα (ee-koss-ee-EN-ahs / ee-koss-ee-MEE-ah / ee-koss-ee-EH-nah)

22

εικοσιδύο (ee-koss-ee-DHEE-oh)

23

εικοσιτρείς/εικοσιτρία (ee-koss-ee-TREES / ee-koss-ee-TREE-ah)

30

τριάντα (tree-AHN-dah)

40

σαράντα (sah-RAHN-dah)

50

πενήντα (peh-NEEN-dah)

60

εξήντα (ex-EEN-dah)

70

εβδομήντα (ev-dhoh-MEEN-dah)

80

ογδόντα (ogh-DHON-dah)

90

ενενήντα (en-en-EEN-dah)

100

εκατό (eh-kah-TO)

200

διακόσιοι/διακόσιες/διακόσια (dhyah-KOH-syah)

300

τριακόσιοι/τριακόσιες/τριακόσια (tryah-KOH-syah)

1000

χίλιοι/χίλιες/χίλια (KHEE-lee-ee / KHEE-lyehs / KHEE-lyah)

2000

δύο χιλιάδες (DHEE-oh khee-lyAH-dhes)

10,000

δέκα χιλιάδες (DHEH-kah khee-lyAH-dhes)

1,000,000

ένα εκατομμύριο (EH-nah eh-kah-to-MEE-ryoh)

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

number _____ (...)

half

μισός/μισή/μισό (mee-SSOHS / mee-SSEE / mee-SSOH)

less

λιγότερος/πιο λίγος/λιγότερη/πιο λίγη/λιγότερο/πιο λίγο (lee-GHO-teh-rohs / lee-GHO-teh-ree / lee-GHO-teh-roh)

more

περισσότερος/πιο πολύς/περισσότερη/πιο πολλή/περισσότερο/πιο πολύ (peh-ree-SSOH-teh-rohs / peh-ree-SSOH-teh-ree / peh-ree-SSOH-teh-ro)

Time

now

τώρα (TOH-rah)

later

αργότερα (ar-GHOH-teh-rah)

before

πριν (preen)

morning

πρωί (proh-EE)

afternoon

απόγευμα (a-POH-yev-ma)

evening

βράδυ (VRAH-thee)

night

νύχτα (NEE-htah)

Clock time

one o'clock AM

μία η ώρα το πρωί(...)

two o'clock AM

δύο η ώρα το πρωί(...)

noon

το μεσημέρι (toh mess-ee-MEHR-ee)

one o'clock PM

μία η ώρα το απόγευμα(...)

two o'clock PM

δύο η ώρα το απόγευμα(...)

midnight

τα μεσάνυχτα (tah meh-SAH-neekh-tah)

noon

μεσημέρι (12.00 : δώδεκα το μεσημέρι, δώδεκα το βράδυ/τα μεσάνυχτα)

Duration

_____ minute(s)

_____ λεπτό/λεπτά (lep-TOH/TAH)

_____ hour(s)

_____ ώρα/ώρες (OH-rah/res)

_____ day(s)

_____ μέρα/μέρες (MEH-rah/res)

_____ week(s)

_____ εβδομάδα/δες (ev-dhoh-MAH-dhah/dhes)

_____ month(s)

_____ μήνας/μήνες (MEEN / MEE-nes)

_____ year(s)

_____ έτος/χρόνος/χρονιά/έτη/χρόνοι/χρονιές

Days

today

σήμερα (SEE-meh-ra)

yesterday

χτες (khtes)

tomorrow

αύριο (AHV-ree-oh)

this week

αυτή την εβδομάδα (...)

last week

την προηγούμενη εβδομάδα (...)

next week

την επόμενη εβδομάδα (...)

Sunday

Κυριακή (kee-ree-ah-KEE)

Monday

Δευτέρα (dhef-TEH-rah)

Tuesday

Τρίτη (TREE-tee)

Wednesday

Τετάρτη (teh-TAR-tee)

Thursday

Πέμπτη (PEM-tee)

Friday

Παρασκευή (pah-rah-skeh-VEE)

Saturday

Σάββατο (SAH-vah-toh)

Months

January

Ιανουάριος (Eea-NOOAH-reeos)

February

Φεβρουάριος (fe-VROOAH-reeos)

March

Μάρτιος (MAHR-teeos)

April

Απρίλιος (ah-PREE-leeos)

May

Μάϊος (MAH-yos)

June

Ιούνιος (ee-OOH-neeos)

July

Ιούλιος (ee-OOH-leeos)

August

Αύγουστος (AHV-ghoo-stos)

September

Σεπτέμβριος (sep-TEHM-vreeos)

October

Οκτώβριος (ok-TOH-vreeos)

November

Νοέμβριος (noh-EM-vreeos)

December

Δεκέμβριος (the-KHEM-vreeos)

Writing Time and Date

Date

The date in Greek is written in the form of DD/MM/YY. For example Christmas Day of 2009 is written 25.12.09 or 25-12-09 or 25/12/09. Having said that, 9/11 in Greek means the 9th day of November.

Time

Time is written and said either in twelve hour clock form in everyday speech or in twenty-four hour clock especially in timetables. AM is πμ (π(ρο) μ(μεσημβρίας)) and PM is μμ (μ(ετά) μ(εσημβρίας))

Measurement

Greeks prefer all-Greek words to mixed Greek-and-Latin words. "Meter", "liter", and "gram" being Greek, they don't use Latin prefixes like "milli" with them. Instead they use the following:

deci

δεκατο (dekato)

centi

εκατοστο (ekatosto)

milli

χιλιοστο (hiliοsto)

Μικρο (micro) and νανο (nano), being greek words, are used the same

The word λεπτο means both a euro cent and a minute of time. A second is δευτερολεπτο, δευτερο meaning second (the ordinal).

Colors

black

μαύρος/η/ο or μέλαν/μέλασα/μέλαν [archaic] (MAHV-ros/ri/roh or MEH-lan)

white

άσπρος or λευκός (AHS-prohs or leh-FKOS)

gray

γκρι or φαιός [archaic] (gree or feh-OHS)

red

κόκκινος/η/ο (KOH-kih-noh)

red (blood)

ερυθρός/ά/ό [archaic] (eh-ree-thrOHs)

red (fire)

πυρρός (not used as an expression) (peer-ROHS)

blue

μπλε or κυανός/ή/ούν [archaic] (bleh or kyah-NOHS)

yellow

κίτρινος/η/ο (KIT-ree-noh)

green

πράσινο (PRAH-si-no)

orange

πορτοκαλής/ή/ί(por-toh-kah-LEE)

purple

μωβ or ιώδης/ης/ες/ [archaic] (mov or yOH-thes)

brown

καφέ (kah-FEH)

Transportation

Bus and Train

How much is a ticket to _____?

Πόσο κάνει ένα εισιτήριο για _____; (...)

One ticket to _____, please.

Ένα εισιτήριο για _____, παρακαλώ. (...)

Where does this train/bus go?

Που πάει αυτό το τραίνο/λεωφορείο; (...)

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Που είναι το τραίνο/λεωφορείο _____; (...)

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

Σταματάει το τραίνο στο _____; (...)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Πότε φεύγει το τραίνο/λεωφορείο για _____; (...)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Πότε θα φτάσει το τραίνο/λεωφορείο στο _____; (...)

I want to rent a car.

Θέλω να νοικιάσω ένα αυτοκίνητο.

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

Πώς πηγαίνω στο/στην/στον(depending on gender) _____ ; (pos pi-GEH-no sto/stin/ston)

...the train station?

...σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό; (...)

...the bus station?

...στάση του λεωφορείου; (...)

...the airport?

...αεροδρόμιο; (...)

...downtown?

...κέντρο; (...)

...the youth hostel?

...ξενώνα για νέους; (...)

...the _____ hotel?

...το _____ ξενοδοχείο; (...)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...τον Αμερικανό/Καναδό/Αυστραλό/Βρετανό πρόξενο; (...)

Where are there a lot of...

Πού υπάρχουν πολλά ... (...)

...hotels?

...ξενοδοχεία; (...)

...restaurants?

...εστιατόρια; (...)

...bars?

...μπαρ; (...)

...sites to see?

...αξιοθέατα; (...)

Can you show me on the map?

Μπορείτε να μου δείξετε στον χάρτη; (...)

street

οδό (...)

Turn left.

Στρίψτε αριστερά. (STREEP-steh ah-riss-teh-RAH)

Turn right.

Στρίψτε δεξιά. (STREEP-steh dheh-xee-AH)

left

αριστερά (ah-riss-teh-RAH)

right

δεξιά (dheh-xee-AH)

straight ahead

ευθεία (eh-fthee-ah)

towards the _____

προς το/τον/την _____ (...)

past the _____

μετά από _____ (...)

before the _____

πριν από _____ (...)

Watch for the _____.

Προσέξτε το _____. (...)

intersection

διασταύρωσις (...)

north

βορράς (vor-RAHS)

south

νότος (NOH-toss)

east

ανατολή (ah-nah-TOH-lee)

west

δύση (DHEE-see)

uphill

προς τα πάνω (...)

downhill

προς τα κάτω (...)

Taxi

Taxi!

Ταξί! (Ta-XI)

Take me to _____, please.

Πηγαινέ με στο/στην/στον _____, παρακαλώ. (...)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

Πόσο θα μού στοιχίσει για να πάω στο

_____? (...)

Take me there, please.

Πήγαινέ με εκεί παρακαλώ. (...)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

Έχετε δωμάτια διαθέσιμα? (...)

How much is a room for one person/two people?

Πόσο έχει το μονόκλινο/δίκλινο; (...)

Does the room come with...

Στο δωμάτιο συμπεριλαμβάνεται και ... (...)

...bedsheets?

...σεντόνια; (...)

...a bathroom?

...ένα μπάνιο; (...)

...a telephone?

...τηλέφωνο; (...)

...a TV?

...τηλεόραση; (...)

May I see the room first?

Μπορώ να δω πρώτα το δωμάτιο; (...)

Do you have anything quieter?

Έχετε κάτι ποιο ήσυχο; (...)

...bigger?

...μεγαλύτερο; (...)

...cleaner?

...καθαρότερο; (...)

...cheaper?

...φθηνότερο; (...)

OK, I'll take it.

Εντάξει, θα το πάρω. (...)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

Θα μείνω για _____ νύχτα(ες). (...)

Can you suggest another hotel?

Μπορείτε να μου συστήσετε ένα άλλο ξενοδοχείο; (...)

Do you have a safe?

Έχετε χρηματοκιβώτιο; (...)

...lockers?

...θυρίδες; (...)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Συμπεριλαμβάνεται πρωινό/γεύμα; (...)

What time is breakfast/supper?

Τι ώρα ειναι το πρωινό/γεύμα; (...)

Please clean my room.

Παρακαλώ καθαρίστε το δωμάτιό μου. (...)

Can you wake me at _____? | Μπορείτε να με ξυπνήσετε στις _____; (...)

I want to check out.

Θέλω να φύγω. (...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

Δέχεσθε αμερικανικά/αυστραλιανά/καναδικά δολάρια; (...)

Do you accept British pounds?

Δέχεσθε βρατανικές λίρες; (...)

Do you accept credit cards?

Δέχεσθε πιστωτικές κάρτες; (...)

Can you change money for me?

Μπορείτε να μου χαλάσετε/αλλάξετε χρήματα; (...)

Where can I get money changed?

Πού μπορώ να χαλάσω/αλλάξω χρήματα; (...)

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

Μπορείτε να μου χαλάσετε μια ταξιδιωτική επιταγή; (...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

Πού μπορώ να χαλάσω μια ταξιδιωτική επιταγή; (...)

What is the exchange rate?

Ποια είναι η τιμή συναλλάγματος; (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Πού υπάρχει μια Αυτόματη Ταμειακή Μηχανή (ATM); (...)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

Ένα τραπέζι για ένα άτομο/δύο άτομα, παρακαλώ. (...)

Can I look at the menu, please?

Μπορώ να έχω έναν κατάλογο, παρακαλώ; (...)

Can I look in the kitchen?

Μπορώ να επισκεφθώ την κουζίνα; (...)

Is there a house specialty?

Yπάρχει καμιά σπιτική σπεσιαλιτέ; (...)

Is there a local specialty?

Υπάρχει καμιά τοπική σπεσιαλιτέ; (...)

I'm a vegetarian.

Είμαι χορτοφάγος. (...)

I don't eat pork.

Δεν τρώω χοιρινό. (...)

I only eat kosher food.

Ακολουθώ εβραϊκή διατροφή. (...)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

Μπορείτε να το μαγειρέψετε ελαφρά, παρακαλώ; (...)

fixed-price meal

γεύμα συγκεκριμένης τιμής (not used as an expression) (...)

à la carte

à la carte (...)

breakfast

πρωινό (...)

lunch

μεσημεριανό (...)

tea (meal)

απογευματινό (?) (not used as an expression) (...)

supper

βραδυνό (...)

I want _____.

Θέλω _____. (...)

I want a dish containing _____.

Θέλω ένα πιάτο που να περιέχει _____. (...)

chicken

κοτόπουλο (...)

beef

βοδινό (...)

fish

ψάρι (...)

ham

ζαμπόν (...)

sausage

λουκάνικο (...)

cheese

τυρι (tee-REE)

eggs

αυγά (ahv-GHAH)

salad

σαλατα (sah-LAH-tah)

(fresh) vegetables

(φρέσκα) λαχανικά (FREH-ska) lah-ha-ni-KA

(fresh) fruit

(fresh) fruit (...)

bread

αρτος (AHR-toss), ψωμι (psoh-MEE)

toast

φρυγανιά (...)

noodles

φιδές (...)

rice

ρύζι (oh-REE-zah)

beans

φασόλια (fah-SOH-lia)

May I have a glass of _____?

Μπορώ να έχω ένα ποτήρι _____; (...)

May I have a cup of _____?

Μπορώ να έχω ένα φλυτζάνι _____; (...)

May I have a bottle of _____?

Μπορώ να έχω ένα μπουκάλι _____; (...)

coffee

καφές (...)

tea (drink)

τσάι (...)

juice

χυμός (...)

(bubbly) water

ανθρακούχο νερό (...)

water

νερο (neh-ROH)

beer

μπύρα (...)

red/white wine

κόκκινο/λευκό κρασί (...)

May I have some _____?

Μπορώ να έχω λίγο _____; (...)

salt

αλάτι (...)

black pepper

μαύρο πιπέρι (...)

butter

βουτυρο (VOO-tee-roh)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Συγνώμη, σερβιτόρε; (...)

I'm finished.

Τελείωσα. (...)

It was delicious.

Ήταν εξαιρετικό. (...)

Please clear the plates.

Παρακαλώ αδειάστε τα πιάτα. (...)

The check, please.

Το λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ. (...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

Σερβίρετε οινοπνευματώδη; (...)

Is there table service?

Υπάρχουν σερβιτόροι; (...)

A beer/two beers, please.

Μία μπύρα/δύο μπύρες, παρακαλώ. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

Ένα ποτήρι κόκκινο/λευκό κρασί, παρακαλώ. (...)

A pint, please.

Pint does not exist in Greece

A bottle, please.

Ένα μπουκάλι, παρακαλώ. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

_____ and _____, please. (...)

whiskey

ουίσκι (...)

vodka

βότκα (v-O-tka)

rum

ρούμι (ro-E-mi)

water

νερό (neh-rO)

club soda

σόδα (sO-da)

tonic water

tonic water (...)

orange juice

χυμός πορτοκάλι (...)

Coke (soda)

Κόκα Κόλα (kOka kOla)

Do you have any bar snacks?

Έχετε bar snacks; (...)

One more, please.

Ένα ακόμα, παρακαλώ. (e-na akOma, para-ka-lO)

Another round, please.

Μια από τα ίδια, παρακαλώ. (...)

When is closing time?

Πότε κλείνετε; (pO-te ...)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

To έχετε αυτό στο δικό μου νούμερο; (...)

How much is this?

Πόσο κάνει αυτό? (...)

That's too expensive.

Αυτό είναι πολύ ακριβό. (...)

Would you take _____?

Δέχεστε _____; (...)

expensive

ακριβός/ή/ό (depending on gender)(...)

cheap

φθηνός/ή/ό (...)

I can't afford it.

Είναι υπερβολικά ακριβό για εμένα. (...)

I don't want it.

Δεν το θέλω. (...)

You're cheating me.

Με εξαπατάτε. (...)

I'm not interested.

Δεν ενδιαφέρομαι. (..)

OK, I'll take it.

Καλώς, θα το πάρω. (...)

Can I have a bag?

Μπορώ να έχω μία τσάντα; (...)

Do you ship (overseas)?

Κάνετε αποστολές (στο εξωτερικό); (...)

I need...

Χρειάζομαι... (...)

...toothpaste.

...οδοντόκρεμα. (...)

...a toothbrush.

...οδοντόβουρτσα. (...)

...tampons.

...σερβιέτες. (...)

...soap.

...σαπούνι. (...)

...shampoo.

...σαμπουάν. (...)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

...παυσίπονο. (...)

...cold medicine.

...φάρμακο για κρύωμα. (...)

...stomach medicine.

...φάρμακο για το στομάχι. (...)

...a razor.

... ξυραφάκι. (...)

...an umbrella.

...ομπρέλα. (...)

...sunblock lotion.

...αντιηλιακό. (...)

...a postcard.

...καρτ-ποστάλ. (...)

...postage stamps.

...γραμματόσημα. (...)

...batteries.

...μπαταρίες. (...)

...writing paper.

...χαρτί. (...)

...a pen.

...ένα στυλό. (...)

...English-language books.

...Αγγλόφωνα βιβλία. (...)

...English-language magazines.

...Αγγλόφωνα περιοδικά. (...)

...an English-language newspaper.

...αγγλόφωνη εφημερίδα. (...)

...an English-Greek dictionary.

...ελληνικο-αγγλικο λεξικο. (eh-lee-nee-KOH ang-glee-KOH LEX-ee-koh)

Driving

Ι want to rent a car.

Θέλω να ενοικιάσω ένα αυτοκίνητο. (...)

Can I get insurance?

Μπορώ να έχω ασφάλεια? (...)

stop (on a street sign)

stop (...)

one way

μονόδρομος (...)

yield

παραχώρηση προτεραιότητος (...)

no parking

Απαγορεύεται η στάθμευση (...)

speed limit

όριο ταχύτητας (...)

gas (petrol) station

πρατήριο βενζίνης (...)

petrol

βενζίνη (...)

diesel

diesel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

Δεν έκανα τίποτα επιλήψιμο. (...)

It was a misunderstanding.

Ήταν μια παρεξήγηση. (...)

Where are you taking me?

Που με πηγαίνετε? (...)

Am I under arrest?

Συνελήφθην? (...)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

Είμαι Αμερικανός/Αυστραλός/Βρετανός/Καναδός πολίτης. (...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

Πρέπει να μιλήσω με τον American/Australian/British/Canadian πρέσβη/πρόξενο. (...)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

Θέλω να μιλήσω σε δικηγόρο. (...)

Can I just pay a fine now?

Μπορώ απλά να πληρώσω ένα πρόστιμο? (...)