The Greek Language
The Greek language is probably the oldest in Europe, with a four thousand year oral tradition and a three thousand year written tradition. Today, Greek constitutes a large part of the vocabulary of any Indo-European language, and much of the lexicon of any scientific repertoire.
It's surprising how a little Greek will enhance your stay here. Greek people are very proud of their language, but they also realize that it is very difficult for non-Greeks to get to grips with. So, if you can offer a few words, even the most simple greetings, you will receive in return an even more enthusiastic welcome. Below is the Greek alphabet and a few words and phrases that you might find useful. Don't be bashful, just have a go.
|
Α |
α |
alfa |
like a in carpet |
|
Β |
β |
vita |
like v in video |
|
Γ |
γ |
gamma |
like y in yard |
|
Δ |
δ |
delta |
like th in therefore |
|
Ε |
ε |
epsilon |
like e in envelope |
|
Ζ |
ζ |
zita |
like z in zebra |
|
Η |
η |
ita |
like i in ignore |
|
Θ |
θ |
theta |
like th in theatre |
|
Ι |
ι |
yiota |
like i in ignore |
|
Κ |
κ |
kappa |
like k in kiss |
|
Λ |
λ |
lamda |
like l in lab |
|
Μ |
μ |
mi |
like m in mother |
|
Ν |
ν |
ni |
like n in net |
|
Ξ |
ξ |
ksi |
like x in six |
|
Ο |
ο |
omicron |
like o in ordinary |
|
Π |
π |
pi |
like p in poster |
|
Ρ |
ρ |
ro |
like r in rabbit |
|
Σ |
σ |
sigma |
like s in sigma |
|
Τ |
τ |
taf |
like t in tie |
|
Υ |
υ |
ipsilon |
like i in ignore |
|
Φ |
φ |
fi |
like f in fire |
|
Χ |
χ |
hi |
like h in hotel |
|
Ψ |
ψ |
psi |
like ps in lapse |
|
Ω |
ω |
omega |
like o in ordinary |
|
ΝΑΙ |
Neh |
Yes |
|
ΟΧΙ |
O-hee |
No |
|
KAΛHMEΡA |
Kal-ee-meh-ra |
Good morning |
|
KAΛHΣΠEΡA |
Kal-ee-speh-ra |
Good evening |
|
KAΛHNΥΧTA |
Kal-ee-nee-ta |
Good night |
|
ΠAΡAKAΛΩ |
Par-a-ka-lo |
Please |
|
EΥΧAΡIΣTΩ |
Ef-har-is-to |
Thank you |
|
ΚΑΛΑ |
Ka-la |
Good |
|
ΣΥΓΝΩΜΗ |
Sig-no-mi |
Excuse me |
|
ΕΝΤΑΞΕΙ |
Eh-daxi |
OK |
|
ΔΕΝ ΚΑΤΑΛΑΒΑΙΝΩ |
Then ka-ta-la-veh-no |
I do not understand |
|
ΜΙΛΑΤΕ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ |
Mi-lah-teh an-glee-ka? |
Do you speak English? |
|
ΘΕΛΩ ΝΑ ΠΑΩ |
Thel-o na pao... |
I want to go... |
|
ΠΟΣΟ ΚΑΝΕΙ |
Po-so ka-nee? |
How much does it cost? |
|
ΤΟ ΛΟΓΟΡΙΑΣΜΟ |
To lo-gar-e-as-mo |
The bill |
|
ΠΟΣΟ ΜΑΚΡΙΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ |
Po-so mahk-rea een-eh... |
How far is... |
|
ΠΟΥ ΕΙΝΑΙ |
Poo een-eh...? |
Where is...? |
|
ΓΕΙΑ ΣΑΣ |
Ye-a-sas |
Hello and Goodbye |
|
ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ |
Plee-ro-for-ee-es |
Information |
|
ΜΑΖΙ |
Ma-zee |
With |
|
ΠΟΥ |
Poo? |
Where? |
|
ΠΩΣ |
Pos? |
How? |
|
ΓΙΑΤΙ |
Yeah-ti |
Why? |
|
ΚΑΛΟ |
Ka-lo |
Good |
|
ΚΑΚΟ |
Ka-ko |
Bad |
|
ΑΝΟΙΚΤΟ |
An-ik-to |
Open |
|
ΚΛΕΙΣΤΟ |
Klee-sto |
Closed |
|
ΤΩΡΑ |
To-ra |
Now |
|
ΦΤΗΝΟ |
Ftee-no |
Cheap |
|
ΑΚΡΙΒΟ |
Ak-ree-vo |
Expensive |
|
ΣΗΜΕΡΑ |
See-mer-ah |
Today |
|
ΑΥΡΙΟ |
Av-ree-o |
Tomorrow |
|
0 |
μηδέν |
mith-en |
|
1 |
ενα |
e-na |
|
2 |
δυο |
dee-o |
|
3 |
τρια |
tree-a |
|
4 |
τεσσερα |
tess-era |
|
5 |
πεντε |
pen-te |
|
6 |
εζι |
ex-ee |
|
7 |
επτα |
ep-ta |
|
8 |
οχτω |
och-to |
|
9 |
εννια |
en-ia |
|
10 |
δεκα |
de-ka |
|
20 |
εικοσι |
ee-kosee |
|
30 |
τριαντα |
tree-an-da |
|
40 |
σαραντα |
sa-ran-da |
|
50 |
πενηντα |
pen-in-da |
|
60 |
εξηντα |
ex-in-da |
|
70 |
εβδομηντα |
evtho-min-da |
|
80 |
ογδοντα |
ogth-on-da |
|
90 |
εννενηντα |
enen-in-da |
|
100 |
εκατο |
eka-to |
|
MONDAY |
Δευτέρα |
deft-e-ra |
|
TUESDAY |
Τρίτη |
tree-tee |
|
WEDNESDAY |
Τετάρτη |
tet-ar-tee |
|
THURSDAY |
Πέμπτη |
pem-tee |
|
FRIDAY |
Παρασκευή |
para-skev-ee |
|
SATURDAY |
Σάββατο |
sav-ato |
|
SUNDAY |
Κυριακή |
kee-ri-a-kee |
For a comprehensive list of sites and software for learning Greek click here. | 
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