Greek2Me staff · Vocab
Greek Holiday Vocabulary
The Greek words you really need on a Greek holiday, from checking into a hotel to ordering at a taverna to asking for the beach. Read at a glance, print for the plane, and try a few before you land.
| Greek | English | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Greetings and basics | |||
| γεια σας | hello / hi (polite or plural)safe default with strangers | ||
| γεια σου | hello / hi (informal) | ||
| καλημέρα | good morning | ||
| καλησπέρα | good evening | ||
| ευχαριστώ | thank you | ||
| παρακαλώ | please / you're welcome | ||
| συγγνώμη | sorry / excuse me | ||
| ναι | yes | ||
| όχι | no | ||
| Getting by | |||
| μιλάτε αγγλικά; | do you speak English? | ||
| δεν καταλαβαίνω | I don't understand | ||
| πόσο κάνει; | how much is it? | ||
| Hotel and beach | |||
| ένα δωμάτιο για δύο | a room for two | ||
| έχω κράτηση | I have a reservation | ||
| το κλειδί | the key | ||
| η παραλία | the beach | ||
| ομπρέλα | umbrella (beach or rain) | ||
| Food and drink | |||
| νερό | water | ||
| μπύρα | beer | ||
| το φαγητό | the food | ||
| τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | the bill, please | ||
| Travel and emergencies | |||
| το πλοίο | the ferry / ship | ||
| το εισιτήριο | the ticket | ||
| πού είναι…; | where is…? | ||
| βοήθεια! | help! | ||
| καλό ταξίδι | have a good trip | ||
Start with three phrases
You can travel a long way in Greece on three phrases: γεια σας (hello), ευχαριστώ (thank you), and παρακαλώ (please or you're welcome). Locals notice the effort even if the rest of the conversation happens in English, and the mood of the interaction shifts fast.
Aisha added συγγνώμη (sorry / excuse me) on day two and said it was the one that unlocked the most smiles, since it works both to apologise and to get someone's attention politely.
At the taverna
Ordering in Greek is short and warm. A few ready-made lines:
- Μία μπύρα, παρακαλώ. One beer, please.
- Νερό χωρίς ανθρακικό. Still water. (literally: water without carbonation)
- Τι προτείνετε; What do you recommend?
- Ήταν πολύ νόστιμο. It was very tasty.
- Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ. The bill, please.
For menu vocabulary, our [Greek food menu words](/vocab/greek-food-menu-words) page has the full breakdown of starters, mains, salads, drinks, and desserts.
Hotel check-in
Most hotel receptions in Greece speak English, but showing you've tried a couple of Greek phrases warms up the whole stay:
- Καλημέρα, έχω κράτηση. Good morning, I have a reservation.
- Στο όνομα Ravi. In the name of Ravi.
- Τι ώρα είναι το πρωινό; What time is breakfast?
- Μπορώ να έχω άλλο ένα κλειδί; Can I have another key?
Asking πού είναι…; (where is…?) followed by any noun works for almost any 'where's the…' question: πού είναι το ασανσέρ; (where is the lift?), πού είναι η παραλία; (where is the beach?), πού είναι το ATM;
Ferries and getting around
Ferries between the islands are a rite of passage. The words you'll see and hear most:
- το πλοίο (to plío), the ferry or ship
- το εισιτήριο (to isitírio), the ticket
- αναχώρηση (anahórisi), departure
- άφιξη (áfixi), arrival
- η θέση (i thési), the seat
A useful full line: Ένα εισιτήριο για Νάξο, παρακαλώ. One ticket to Naxos, please.
If something goes wrong
Worth memorising before you land, so you don't have to hunt for them under pressure:
- Βοήθεια! (voíthia!), help!
- Χάθηκα. (háthika), I'm lost.
- Χρειάζομαι γιατρό. (hriázome yatró), I need a doctor.
- Ασθενοφόρο, παρακαλώ. (asthenofóro, parakaló), an ambulance, please.
- Το τηλέφωνο έκτακτης ανάγκης είναι 112. The emergency number is 112.
Hopefully you never need these. Nice to have in your back pocket regardless.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most useful Greek words for a holiday?+
Γεια σας (hello), ευχαριστώ (thank you), and παρακαλώ (please) will cover most short interactions. Add συγγνώμη (excuse me / sorry), ναι (yes), όχι (no), and πόσο κάνει; (how much is it?) and you can navigate most shops, tavernas, and taxi rides comfortably.
Do I need to learn Greek to visit Greece?+
No, English is widely spoken in tourist areas, resorts, hotels, and restaurants. That said, learning even a handful of Greek phrases changes the tone of the trip. Locals warm up quickly when you try, and you get better recommendations, better tables, and often a small extra glass of something on the house.
How do you say cheers in Greek?+
Γεια μας (ya mas), which literally means 'to our health'. You'll hear it every time glasses clink at a taverna. Also common: εις υγείαν (is iyían), the more formal 'to health', which shows up in toasts and speeches.
How do you order food in Greek?+
Start with θα ήθελα (tha íthela, I would like) or simply the noun with παρακαλώ (please). So μία μπύρα, παρακαλώ (one beer, please), or θα ήθελα μια σαλάτα (I would like a salad). To ask for the bill: τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ.
What's the polite way to say hello in Greek?+
Γεια σας (ya sas) is the polite or plural form and works with anyone you don't know. Γεια σου (ya sou) is the informal singular, used with friends, kids, and peers. In a hotel, shop, or taverna, γεια σας is the safe default. Time-of-day greetings like καλημέρα (good morning) and καλησπέρα (good evening) are also polite and warmly received.
Practise this in the app
Get holiday-ready in the app
Short quizzes on greetings, ordering, and asking directions, with audio for every phrase and spaced repetition on your weak words.
Start with travel vocabulary