When you are traveling to a foreign country for vacation or because you have to move there, it is a good idea to know some of the local language. This article focuses on Greek (ελληνικά, elliniká), the official language of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus and used by Greek communities in the Balkans, Turkey, Italy, Canada, Australia, England and the United States. Wherever you are, locals will love it if you try to express yourself in their native language.
Steps
Step 1. Learn the simplest words like hello, goodbye, etc
Hello (for people or people younger than you) = yiasou (Γεια σου), Hello (for foreigners or people older than you) = yiasas (Γεια σας), Goodbye = adi-o (Αντίο), Good morning = Kal-ee-me-ra (Καλημέρα), Good evening = kal-ee-spera (Καλησπέρα), Good night = kal-ee-neehta (Καληνύχτα), Please = Para-kal-oh (Πα-ρακαλώ), Thank you ist-oh (Ευχαριστώ)
Step 2. Learn simple phrases, such as how to order a drink
I would like a beer please e = Tha eethel-a mee-a bir-a, para-kal-oh. For wine it is slightly different. All Greek words are divided by gender into masculine, feminine and neuter. Wine (krasi - κρασί), is a neutral word, and therefore we must say 'ena (ένα)' instead of 'mee-a (μία)'. So 'I would like some wine please', you will have to say 'Tha eethel-a ena krasi para-kal-oh (Θα ήθελα ένα κρασί παρακαλώ)'. For a Coke you can use the same phrase as for the beer, replacing 'bira - μπύρα' with 'Coca Cola'.
Step 3. Ask people simple questions like how old are you, etc
"What's your name?" In Greek there are some phrases to ask this question, but we will use this: 'Pos se lene?'. Those who answer can answer 'Me lene (name)', or 'Leg-oh-mai (name)'. "Where do you come from?" translates to 'Apo poo ee-sai?' The person might reply 'Ee-mai apo (country)'. To understand this answer you will need to know the nations. England = angl-ee-a, America = amer-ikee, Spain = Eespan-ee-a, France = Gaul, Italy = Italy, Germany = Yermania. So if you mean "I come from Italy", it will translate as 'Ee-mai apo teen Italia'. We add "teen" for a rather complex rule of the Greek language. All of the countries mentioned above are female, so you will need to use "teen" only for those. For example: 'Ee-mai apo teen amer-ikee'.
Advice
- You will need time to learn the pronunciation. Try one letter at a time and eventually you will succeed.
- It is a good idea to get help from native speakers who can teach you the correct pronunciation of difficult words and phrases.
- If you have trouble pronouncing something, try using your voice and don't try to emulate an accent.
