A list of basic Greek phrases for tourists or property hunters including the phonetic pronunciation for English speakers.

I’m trying to use standard phonetic rules here. A capitalised syllable indicates that that part of the word is hardened or emphasised.  Doing business in Kilada, looking around a new property. Talking to a land or estate agent, you will likely need to know a few basics.

In practice many in Greek real estate at the professional level understand English and speak and write it as a competent second language. However, there is no harm in learning a little Greek. In most situations your effort will be appreciated, and that’s always a win.

Practice makes perfect though. Try these out with people you know first. Be open to corrections and additions, and you’ll be conversing well enough in no time

Greetings

Let’s start with a basic greeting “Hello”: Γειά σου pronounced “YAH-soo”

If it’s a friendly greeting try  “Γεια” pronounced “YAH-sas”.

More common greetings to add some variation might be

 Χάρηκα πολύ pronounced “HA-ree-ka po-LEE” which is good day

How are things with you is “Tι κανείς”  pronounced “tee-KAH-nis”. Remember to put the inflection as this is a question.

Good morning is Καλημέρα pronounced “kah-lee-MER-ah”

Good afternoon evening: Καλησπέρα pronounced “kah-lee-SPER-ah” this also works for the evening

A way in which linguistic similarities show itself is the phrase  Καληνύχτα pronounced “kah-lee-NEEKH-tah”. This is used on departing. Which when you think about it makes it an anomaly linguistically. You are greeting someone at night. You are saying goodbye to someone at the end of the day

Social Situations

Please is Παρακαλώ  pronounced “para-kah-LOE”

This is a multi use word which is used both to make a polite enquiry and to respiond to a poplite enquiry. Adding Παρακαλώ as a suffix

Introducing yourself. Perhaps the first thing many learn when taking on a new language is  Με λένε pronounced “may LEH-neh”. Meaning My name is.

Conversely What is your name? is; πως σε λένε?  And pronounced “pos-oh LEH-neh”. Remember the question inflection at the end.

If you are leaving use Γειά σου pronounced “YAH-soo” meaning goodbye.  In practice the “oo” makes the last syllable sound more like “sue”

A common truncation is to say “YAH”. Which is the equivalent of “See you around” or perhaps “Later” when used in the vernacular. This is less formal and used among friends.

Slightly more formally you may say  Τα λέμε  pronounced “tah-LEH-meh” which is “Talk later”

Other terms used to depart include a simple Yes Ναί pronounced “neh”. Unusually a short word starting with a hand “n” sound that means yes. Be careful of that one.

The corollary being : όχι pronounced “OH hee” which means no.

Finally, should you get stuck, need help or bump into someone the polite thing to say would be Συγνώμη meaning sorry and pronounced “See-GuNO-mee”

Part two coming soon