Greece is a beautiful country with a rich history, culture and cuisine. It is also a popular destination for tourists, students and expats who want to explore its stunning landscapes, ancient monuments and vibrant cities. However, if you are planning to visit or live in Greece, you may face some challenges when it comes to communication. Although many Greeks speak English, especially in urban areas and tourist spots, there are still situations where you may encounter a language barrier. This can make it difficult to get around, order food, shop, socialize and access essential services.
Fortunately, there are some ways to overcome the language barrier and enjoy your stay in Greece. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to communicate in Greece despite the language barrier and what are some of the common phrases and words that you should learn in Greek.
How to Communicate in Greece Despite the Language Barrier
Here are some strategies that can help you communicate effectively in Greece even if you don’t speak fluent Greek:
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Learn some basic Greek words and phrases.
This is the most obvious and useful tip. Learning some basic Greek words and phrases can help you express your needs, ask for directions, greet people, thank them and apologize. It can also show respect and appreciation for the local culture and people. You don’t need to master the whole language, but knowing some key words and phrases can make a big difference. You can use online resources, apps, books or courses to learn some Greek before or during your trip. You can also ask your Greek friends, hosts or teachers to teach you some useful expressions. -
Use gestures and body language.
Sometimes, words are not enough or not available. In that case, you can use gestures and body language to communicate your message. For example, you can point at something you want, nod or shake your head to indicate yes or no, use your fingers to show numbers or wave your hand to say hello or goodbye. However, be careful with some gestures that may have different meanings or be offensive in different cultures. For example, in Greece, tilting your head to the side means no, while showing your palm with fingers extended means “go away” or “I don’t care”. -
Speak slowly and clearly.
If you speak English or another foreign language in Greece, try to speak slowly and clearly so that the other person can understand you better. Avoid using slang, idioms, jokes or complex sentences that may confuse or mislead the listener. You can also repeat or rephrase your message if necessary. If you don’t understand what the other person is saying, ask them to speak slowly or repeat what they said. -
Use translation tools.
Technology can be a great ally when it comes to overcoming the language barrier. You can use translation tools such as Google Translate, Microsoft Translator or Translators without Borders to translate words, phrases or sentences from one language to another. You can also use voice recognition or image recognition features to translate spoken or written text. However, be aware that these tools are not always accurate or reliable, so use them with caution and common sense. -
Be patient and polite.
Communication can be frustrating and stressful when there is a language barrier. However, try to be patient and polite with yourself and the other person. Don’t get angry or impatient if you don’t understand or are not understood. Instead, smile, apologize and try again. Remember that communication is a two-way process that requires cooperation and respect from both sides.
What are Some of the Common Phrases and Words that You Should Learn in Greek?
Here are some of the common phrases and words that you should learn in Greek to help you communicate in various situations:
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Greetings and farewells:
- Hello: Γεια σου (YAH-soo) – informal; Γεια σας (YAH-sas) – formal or plural
- Good morning: Καλημέρα (kah-lee-MEH-rah)
- Good afternoon: Καλησπέρα (kah-lee-SPER-ah)
- Good evening: Καληνύχτα (kah-lee-NEEKH-tah)
- Goodbye: Αντίο (an-TEE-oh)
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Polite expressions:
- Thank you: Ευχαριστώ (eff-kha-ri-STOH)
- You’re welcome: Παρακαλώ (pa-ra-ka-LOH)
- Please: Παρακαλώ (pa-ra-ka-LOH)
- Excuse me: Συγγνώμη (see-GHNO-mee)
- I’m sorry: Λυπάμαι (lee-PAH-meh)
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Questions and answers:
- Do you speak English?: Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (mee-LAH-teh ang-lee-KAH)
- I don’t speak Greek: Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά (then mee-LAH-oh eh-lee-nee-KAH)
- I don’t understand: Δεν καταλαβαίνω (then ka-ta-la-VAY-noh)
- Can you repeat that?: Μπορείτε να το επαναλάβετε; (boh-REE-teh na to eh-pa-na-LAH-veh-teh)
- What is this?: Τι είναι αυτό; (tee EE-nay af-TOH)
- How much is this?: Πόσο κάνει αυτό; (POH-so KAH-nee af-TOH)
- Where is the…?: Πού είναι το…; (poo EE-nay to…)
- Yes: Ναι (neh)
- No: Όχι (OH-hee)
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Useful words:
- Water: Νερό (neh-ROH)
- Food: Φαγητό (fa-yee-TOH)
- Bathroom: Μπάνιο (BAH-nyoh)
- Taxi: Ταξί (tahk-SEE)
- Bus: Λεωφορείο (leh-o-foh-RAY-oh)
- Metro: Μετρό (meh-TROH)
- Airport: Αεροδρόμιο (eh-roh-DROH-mee-oh)
- Hotel: Ξενοδοχείο (kseh-noh-doh-KHEE-oh)
- Hospital: Νοσοκομείο (noh-soh-koh-MEE-oh)
We hope that this blog post has given you some useful tips and information on how to deal with the language barrier in Greece and what are some of the common phrases and words that you should learn in Greek. Remember that communication is not only about words, but also about gestures, body language, tone, context and culture. With a little effort, patience and curiosity, you can overcome the language barrier and enjoy your stay in Greece.
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