Greek

Its all Greek to meGreek, having a different alphabet, is not an easy language to read, or even speak, as some letters are pronounced differently. Fortunately English is widely spoken in Cyprus, and road signs are bilingual. Trying a few Greek words or simple phrases, however, will be appreciated.

Syllables in capitals should be stressed – in written Greek this is denoted with an accent. To listen to beginners’ spoken Greek, click the sound file link at the bottom of this page.

EnglishPronunciationTransliterationGreek
Greek alphabet - upper caseHello / GoodbyeYIA-sou (informal)
YIA-sas (polite)
Geiá sou
Geiá sas
Γειά σου
Γειά σας
Hi / GoodbyeYIA / An-DI-oGeiá / AntíoΓειά / Αντίο
Good morningKali-MEH-raKaliméraΚαλημέρα
Good afternoon / eveningKali-SPEH-raKalispéraΚαλησπέρα
Good nightKali-NYCH-taKalinýchtaΚαληνύχτα
NoOhiÓchiΌχι
Greek letter namesYesNaiNaíΝαί
Please / You're welcome
/ Pardon?
Para-ka-LO ParakalóΠαρακαλώ
Thank youEfha-ri-STOEfcharistóΕυχαριστώ
Sorry / Excuse me Sig-NO-miSygnómiΣυγνώμη
OneEN-aÉnaÉνα
TwoTHI-oDýoΔύο
Greek alphabet - lower caseThreeTRI-a TríaΤρία
FourTESS-air-uhTésseraΤέσσερα
FivePEN-dayPénteΠέντε
SixEX-iÉxi Έξι
SevenEfp-TAEptáΕπτά
EightOk-TOOktóΟκτώ
NineEn-AY-aEnnéaΕννέα
TenTHAY-kaDéka Δέκα

Click – Listen – Speak

Spoken Greek from the BBC’s Key Phrases webpage.

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