Greek, 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.
| English | Pronunciation | Transliteration | Greek | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hello / Goodbye | YIA-sou (informal) YIA-sas (polite) | Geiá sou Geiá sas | Γειά σου Γειά σας |
| Hi / Goodbye | YIA / An-DI-o | Geiá / Antío | Γειά / Αντίο | |
| Good morning | Kali-MEH-ra | Kaliméra | Καλημέρα | |
| Good afternoon / evening | Kali-SPEH-ra | Kalispéra | Καλησπέρα | |
| Good night | Kali-NYCH-ta | Kalinýchta | Καληνύχτα | |
| No | Ohi | Óchi | Όχι | |
 | Yes | Nai | Naí | Ναί |
| Please / You're welcome / Pardon? | Para-ka-LO | Parakaló | Παρακαλώ | |
| Thank you | Efha-ri-STO | Efcharistó | Ευχαριστώ | |
| Sorry / Excuse me | Sig-NO-mi | Sygnómi | Συγνώμη | |
| One | EN-a | Éna | Éνα | |
| Two | THI-o | Dýo | Δύο | |
 | Three | TRI-a | Tría | Τρία |
| Four | TESS-air-uh | Téssera | Τέσσερα | |
| Five | PEN-day | Pénte | Πέντε | |
| Six | EX-i | Éxi | Έξι | |
| Seven | Efp-TA | Eptá | Επτά | |
| Eight | Ok-TO | Októ | Οκτώ | |
| Nine | En-AY-a | Ennéa | Εννέα | |
| Ten | THAY-ka | Déka | Δέκα |
Click – Listen – Speak
Spoken Greek from the BBC’s Key Phrases webpage.
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