Greek2Me staff · Phrases
How to Say Please in Greek
Παρακαλώ
(parakalo)
please / you're welcome
The word for please in Greek is παρακαλώ (parakaló), which also means 'you're welcome'. Say σε παρακαλώ (se parakaló) to one friend, σας παρακαλώ (sas parakaló) to a group or someone you're being polite with.
Common variations
| Παρακαλώ | Please (the everyday default)shops, cafes, everyday requests | |
| Σε παρακαλώ | Please (to one person you know)informal, warmer | |
| Σας παρακαλώ | Please (formal or plural)strangers, elders, groups | |
| Παρακαλώ πολύ | Please (adding warmth)when you really want a favour | |
| Αν δεν σας πειράζει | If you don't mindpolite request, softer than a plain please | |
| Θα ήθελα | I would likepolite ordering, replaces 'please' |
In context
Έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ.
enan kafe, parakalo
One coffee, please.
Σε παρακαλώ, μίλα πιο αργά, Λιν.
se parakalo, mila pio arga, Lin
Please speak more slowly, Lin.
Σας παρακαλώ, μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;
sas parakalo, borite na me voithisete?
Excuse me, could you help me?
«Ευχαριστώ πολύ.» «Παρακαλώ.»
«efcharisto poli» «parakalo»
'Thank you very much.' 'You're welcome.'
Θα ήθελα ένα ποτήρι νερό, παρακαλώ.
tha ithela ena potiri nero, parakalo
I would like a glass of water, please.
One word, two meanings
Παρακαλώ does double duty. It means both 'please' when you ask for something, and 'you're welcome' when someone thanks you. Same word, opposite ends of the exchange.
A typical bakery scene:
- You: *Ένα τυρόπιτο, παρακαλώ* (one cheese pie, please)
- Baker: hands it over
- You: *Ευχαριστώ*
- Baker: *Παρακαλώ*
Context makes the meaning obvious every time. You'll never confuse the two once you've had a couple of exchanges.
A few pronunciation notes:
- Four syllables: pa-ra-ka-LO
- Stress on the last syllable
- The final ώ is a long clean 'oh', don't let it trail off
Σε or σας: which one to use
Adding a pronoun makes παρακαλώ more personal, and Greek splits by formality.
- Σε παρακαλώ (se parakaló), to one person you know. Warm, informal
- Σας παρακαλώ (sas parakaló), to a group, or to one person politely
A plain παρακαλώ is safe in almost any transactional setting (cafe, shop, taxi). When you're asking someone for a favour, adding the pronoun makes it feel more human.
With strangers, older people, or in professional settings, σας παρακαλώ is the polite default. Erring on the polite side is rarely wrong.
Softer alternatives to please
Greek has a few phrases that work like a softer 'please' without using the word at all.
- Αν δεν σας πειράζει (an den sas pirázi), if you don't mind
- Θα ήθελα (tha íthela), I would like, natural for ordering
- Μπορώ να...; (boró na...?), can I...?, gentle request
- Μήπως θα μπορούσατε...; (mípos tha boroúsate...?), could you perhaps...?, very polite
Combining a *θα ήθελα* with a *παρακαλώ* at the end is a warm, natural way to order in a restaurant or ask for something in a shop.
When παρακαλώ means 'go ahead'
There's a third use worth knowing. If you knock on a door or ask permission, a Greek might reply παρακαλώ meaning 'please, go ahead' or 'please, come in'. Same word again, this time as an invitation.
You'll hear it in shops when the assistant is ready to help (*παρακαλώ;* with a rising tone, meaning 'yes, how can I help?'), on the phone when someone picks up (*παρακαλώ;* as 'hello?'), and at doors as 'come in'.
One word, four uses. Once you clock this, you'll start hearing παρακαλώ everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce παρακαλώ?+
Four syllables: pa-ra-ka-LO, with the stress on the last one. The final ώ is a long clean 'oh' sound, so don't let it trail off softly.
Why does παρακαλώ mean both please and you're welcome?+
The word literally means 'I ask' or 'I request'. Greeks use it as please when asking and as a polite reply to thanks. Context makes the meaning obvious every time and you'll never mix them up in practice.
What's the difference between σε παρακαλώ and σας παρακαλώ?+
Σε παρακαλώ is informal, used with one person you know. Σας παρακαλώ is formal or plural, used with strangers, older people, or a group. If you're not sure which fits, σας is the safe default.
Do I need to say παρακαλώ every time I order?+
It's not required but it's warm and expected. Adding παρακαλώ to a simple order takes half a second and makes you sound polite rather than clipped. Greek waiters and shopkeepers notice.
What does παρακαλώ mean when someone says it at a door?+
It means 'please, come in' or 'go ahead'. The same word gets used as an invitation, so if you knock and hear παρακαλώ, that's your cue to open the door.
Practise this in the app
Learn the manners kit properly
The A1 Greetings lesson drills παρακαλώ, ευχαριστώ, and all the small polite words together, with audio and mini-quizzes.
Try the Greetings lesson