Greek2Me staff · Phrases
How to Say Water in Greek
Νερό
(nero)
water
The word for water in Greek is νερό (neró), stressed on the last syllable. To order one at a cafe say ένα νερό, παρακαλώ (éna neró, parakaló). Greeks often use the warm diminutive νεράκι (neráki), literally 'little water'.
Common variations
| Νερό | Waterthe everyday word | |
| Ένα νερό, παρακαλώ | One water, pleaseordering at a cafe or taverna | |
| Νεράκι | Little water (affectionate)warm, common at the table | |
| Ένα μπουκάλι νερό | A bottle of waterbuying at a kiosk or shop | |
| Ανθρακούχο νερό | Sparkling watercarbonated / fizzy | |
| Κρύο νερό | Cold waterin cafes, always ice-cold | |
| Νερό βρύσης | Tap watersafe in most Greek cities |
In context
Ένα νερό παρακαλώ, Λιν.
ena nero parakalo, Lin
One water please, Lin.
Θα ήθελα ένα μπουκάλι νερό, κρύο.
tha ithela ena boukali nero, krio
I'd like a bottle of water, cold.
Ένα νεράκι για το παιδί;
ena neraki ya to pedi?
A little water for the child?
Πιες λίγο νερό, Καρίμ.
pies ligo nero, Karim
Have some water, Karim.
Το νερό της βρύσης εδώ είναι πεντακάθαρο.
to nero tis vrisis edo ine pentakatharo
The tap water here is completely clean.
Ordering water in a Greek cafe
You'll be surprised how often you order water in Greece. Cafes, tavernas, and beach bars almost always bring one along with your coffee, and it's normal to keep asking for more.
The short forms:
- Ένα νερό, παρακαλώ (éna neró, parakaló), one water please
- Δύο νερά, παρακαλώ (dýo nerá, parakaló), two waters please
- Ένα μπουκάλι νερό (éna boukáli neró), a bottle of water
- Ένα ποτήρι νερό (éna potíri neró), a glass of water
In most tavernas the water that arrives is bottled and cold. If you want tap water, ask for νερό βρύσης (neró vrísis). It's safe in Athens, Thessaloniki, and most of mainland Greece, though some islands rely on tanker water and locals stick to bottled.
The warm word: νεράκι
Greek loves diminutives, and νεράκι (neráki) is one of the most-used. It's literally 'little water', but it doesn't imply a smaller amount. It's just warmer, softer, more affectionate.
A yiayia (grandma) offering you water at her kitchen table will almost always ask *θες ένα νεράκι;* rather than *θες νερό;*. Same water, warmer feel.
Other diminutives follow the same pattern:
- Καφές → καφεδάκι (little coffee)
- Ψωμί → ψωμάκι (little bread)
- Παιδί → παιδάκι (little child)
Using them makes you sound like you've been around Greeks. Skipping them makes you sound like a textbook.
Sparkling, still, or from the tap
A few types of water and how to ask:
- Νερό on its own means still water by default
- Ανθρακούχο νερό (anthrakoúcho neró), sparkling / carbonated
- Επιτραπέζιο νερό (epitrapézio neró), table water (still bottled)
- Μεταλλικό νερό (metallikó neró), mineral water
- Νερό βρύσης (neró vrísis), tap water
If you want cold water, add κρύο (krio). If you want it at room temperature (rare in Greek summers, but possible), ask for νερό σκέτο (neró skéto), 'plain water'.
Water in Greek expressions
Νερό shows up in a few nice Greek turns of phrase.
- Πάει το νερό στον γιαλό (páei to neró ston yaló), literally 'water goes to the shore', meaning something obvious or pointless
- Νερό στο μύλο του (neró sto mýlo tou), water to his mill, meaning something that suits or benefits him
- Σαν το νερό (san to neró), like water, used for something that comes easily
You don't need these to order a glass, but hearing them makes you realise how much water shapes everyday Greek life. Not surprising for a country of islands, coastlines, and long summers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce νερό?+
Two syllables: ne-RO, with the stress on the last one. The ν is a clean 'n', ε is a short 'e' as in 'net', and ό is a long clean 'oh'.
How do I order water in a Greek taverna?+
Say ένα νερό, παρακαλώ (éna neró, parakaló), or ένα μπουκάλι νερό for a bottle. Adding κρύο (cold) is normal in summer. The water almost always arrives in a bottle, cold.
Is tap water safe to drink in Greece?+
Tap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki, and most of mainland Greece. On some islands the water is brought in by tanker and locals stick to bottled. If in doubt, ask νερό βρύσης πίνεται; (is tap water drinkable?).
What's the difference between νερό and νεράκι?+
They mean the same thing, water. Νεράκι is the affectionate diminutive, softer and warmer. Greeks often use it when offering water at home or to a child. It doesn't mean a smaller amount.
How do I ask for sparkling water?+
Ask for ανθρακούχο νερό (anthrakoúcho neró), meaning carbonated water. It's less common than still water in tavernas but easy to find in shops and supermarkets.
Practise this in the app
Order like a local, not a tourist
The A2 Restaurant lesson walks through ordering water, coffee, wine and food with the exact phrases Greek waiters expect, plus audio and drills.
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