A short language resource for a trip I took to Greece. Traveler-centric vocabulary and sentences. Be aware that the consonants and vowels of the romanizations are not always pronounced as you might think. Listening to examples from videos or even a translating program is advised.
Honestly, there were no issues with communicating in English the whole time. That being said, it's always nice to put in a little effort to use the language of the country you're visiting. It also feels nice to be self-sufficient enough to figure out maps and signs on your own.
This was originally created as a one-page zine using Zine Machine. This online version has been reformatted and fixed up a bit. The original version can be downloaded as a PDF and printed for you to put together. Follow along with the guide images (also from Zine Machine) if you need.
Greetings
| English | Romanization | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| hello / bye | geiá sas (yah sas) | γειά σας |
| see you | ta lemeh | τα λέμε |
| good morning / day | kaliméra | καλημέρα |
| good evening | kalispéra | καλησπέρα |
| good night | kaliníchta | καληνύχτα |
| Nice to meet you. | Héro polí. | Χαίρω πολύ. |
Simple Responses
| English | Romanization | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| yes | naí (neh) | ναί |
| no | óchi | όχι |
| okay | entáxei | εντάξει |
| thank you | efcharistó | ευχαριστώ |
| please / you're welcome | parakaló | παρακαλώ |
| sorry / excuse me | syngnómi | συγγνώμη |
| I'm fine. | Íme kalá | Είμαι καλά. |
About Language
| English | Romanization | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | miláte angliká? | μιλάτε αγγλικά? |
| I don’t speak Greek. | de miláo elliniká. | δε μιλάω ελληνικά. |
| I don't understand. | den katalavaíno. | δεν καταλαβαίνω. |
Menu Labels
| English | Romanization | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| Breads | Psomiá | Ψωμιά |
| Appetizers | Mezédes | Μεζέδες |
| Assortment | Poikilía | Ποικιλία |
| Main courses | Kýria mathímata | Κύρια μαθήματα |
| Meats | Kréata | Κρέατα |
| Poultry | Pouleriká | Πουλερικά |
| Fish | Psária | Ψάρια |
| Seafood | Thalassiná | Θαλασσινά |
| Pasta | Zymariká | Ζυμαρικά |
| Desserts | Epidórpia | Επιδορία |
| Ice cream | Pagotá | Παγωτά |
| Sodas | Anapsyktiká | Αναψυκτικά |
| Wines | Krasiá | Κρασιά |
General Shopping
| English | Romanization | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| Excuse me, how much is this? | Parakaló póso káni aftó? | Παρακαλώ πόσο κάνη αυτό; |
| Do you take credit card? | Déheste pistotikí kárta? | Δέχεστε πιστωτική κάρτα; |
| May I have the receipt? | Boró na écho tin apódeixi? | Μπορώ να έχω την απόδειξη; |
| Where are the changing rooms? | Poú eínai i dokimastíria? | Πού είναι η δοκιμαστήρια; |
Skewers & Gyros
We want [number] skewers / gyros of [chicken / pork].
Theloume [number] souvlakia / gyro [kotópoulou / choirinó].
Θελουμε [number] σουβλακια / γυρω [κοτόπουλο / χοιρινό].
A pork gyros with everything, please.
Mia pita me gyro choirino ap’ola, parakalo.
Μια πίτα με γύρο χοιρινό απ’όλα παρακαλώ.
A pita with chicken skewer without tzatziki, please.
Mia pita me souvlaki kotopoulo choris tzatziki, parakalo.
Μια πίτα με σουβλάκι κοτόπουλο χωρίς τζατζίκι παρακαλώ.
Ice Cream
I would like two scoops chocolate in a cup.
Tha íthela dýo báles sokolátas se kypelláki.
Θά ήθελα δύο βαλες σοκολάτας σε κυπελάκι.
I would like one scoop of vanilla and one scoop of chocolate in a cone.
Tha íthela mia bála vanília kai mia bála sokoláta se chonáki.
Θα ήθελα μια βάλα βανίλια και μια βάλα σοκολάτα σε χωνάκι.
Coffee
A plain coffee, please.
Enan kafe sketo parakalo.
εναν καφε σκετο παρακαλω.
We would like four espresso and three frappes.
Tha thélame tésseris espréso kai treis frapé.
Θα θέλαμε τέσσερις εσπρέσο και τρεις φραπέ παρακαλώ.
Can I have one medium sweet Greek coffee, two all-milk frappés without sugar and an espresso, please?
Boró na écho énan ellinikó kafé métrio, dyó frapé ólo gála chorís záchari kai ena espréso, parakaló?
Πόρο να έχω έναν ελληνικό καφέ μέτριο δύο φραπέ όλο γάλα χωρίς ζάχαρη και ένα εσπρέσο παρακαλώ;
Coffee Words
| English | Romanization | Greek |
|---|---|---|
| double espresso | diplo espresso | διπλό εσπρέσο |
| with milk /sugar | me gala / zachari | με γάλα / ζάχαρη |
| without milk / sugar | choris gala / zachari | χωρίς γάλα / ζάχαρη |
| medium (sugar) | metrio | μέτριο |
Letters
Numbers
