Greece is a beautiful country with a rich history, culture and cuisine. It is also home to more than 2,000 islands, each with its own charm and attractions. If you are planning to visit some of the Greek islands, you might be wondering how to communicate with the locals and what are some of the essential words and phrases that you should learn in Greek.
In this blog post, we will give you some tips on how to deal with the language barrier on the Greek islands and what are some of the common phrases and words that you should learn in Greek. We will also share some resources where you can learn more about the Greek language and culture.
How widely spoken is English on the Greek islands?
According to recent statistics, around 51% of the Greek population can speak English, which is a reasonable proportion and one of the higher percentages in Europe. You will be perfectly fine using English in Athens and any of the other tourist destinations, such as Crete, Rhodes, Zakynthos and Santorini. However, in more remote and rural areas, some basic Greek will come in handy, especially if you want to interact with the older generations or shop at local markets.
The language barrier should not be a problem for short tourist stays, especially not in the larger holiday hotspots where most people working in the tourism industry can speak English. However, if you are planning to stay longer or explore some of the less visited islands, you might encounter some difficulties or misunderstandings. That’s why it is always a good idea to learn some basic Greek before you go or while you are there.
What are some of the benefits of learning some Greek?
Learning some Greek can enhance your travel experience in many ways. Here are some of the benefits of learning some Greek:
- You can show respect and appreciation for the local culture and people. Greeks are very proud of their language and heritage, and they will appreciate your efforts to learn some of their words and phrases. They will also be more friendly and helpful if you try to speak their language.
- You can avoid scams and rip-offs. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous people might try to take advantage of tourists who don’t speak the local language. By learning some Greek, you can avoid being overcharged or misled by taxi drivers, shopkeepers or street vendors.
- You can enrich your understanding of the history and culture of Greece. The Greek language is one of the oldest and most influential languages in the world. It has shaped many aspects of Western civilization, such as philosophy, literature, science and art. By learning some Greek, you can discover the meanings and origins of many words and concepts that we use today.
- You can have more fun and memorable experiences. Learning some Greek can open up new opportunities for you to interact with the locals, make new friends, join in celebrations and festivals, or even find love. You can also enjoy more authentic food, music and entertainment by knowing some Greek.
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:
| English | Greek | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Γεια σου (informal) / Γεια σας (formal) | Yah soo / Yah sas |
| Goodbye | Αντίο | An-dee-oh |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ | Ef-ha-rees-toh |
| You’re welcome | Παρακαλώ | Pa-ra-ka-loh |
| Please / Excuse me / Sorry | Συγγνώμη | Sig-no-mee |
| Yes | Ναι | Neh |
| No | Όχι | O-hee |
| Do you speak English? | Μιλάτε αγγλικά; | Mee-la-teh ang-lee-ka? |
| I don’t speak Greek | Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά | Then mee-lah-oh eh-lee-nee-ka |
| How are you? | Τι κάνεις; (informal) / Τι κάνετε; (formal) | Tee ka-nees? / Tee ka-ne-teh? |
| I’m fine, thank you | Είμαι καλά, ευχαριστώ | Ee-meh ka-la, ef-ha-rees-toh |
| What is your name? | Πώς σε λένε; (informal) / Πώς σας λένε; (formal) | Pohs seh leh-neh? / Pohs sas leh-neh? |
| My name is… | Με λένε… | Meh leh-neh… |
| Nice to meet you | Χάρηκα (informal) / Χάρηκα πολύ (formal) | Ha-ree-ka / Ha-ree-ka po-lee |
| Where are you from? | Από πού είσαι; (informal) / Από πού είστε; (formal) | A-po poo ee-seh? / A-po poo ee-steh? |
| I’m from… | Είμαι από… | Ee-meh a-po… |
| How much is this? |
