Phrases in the Athens A to Z
13 entries filed under Phrase in the Athens A to Z Travel Dictionary. Each name opens the full entry.
E
Efharisto
Thank you (ef hah ri STO). Efharisto poly is thank you very much.
K
Kali orexi
Enjoy your meal. Said by waiters as the food arrives, and by anyone at the table.
Kalimera
Good morning, used as a general hello from waking until early afternoon.
Kalinychta
Good night, said only when parting at the end of the evening, not as a greeting.
Kalispera
Good evening, used from the afternoon onwards, including on arriving somewhere.
L
Logariasmo, ton parakalo
The bill, please. In Greece the bill is almost never brought until you ask.
M
Milate anglika?
Do you speak English? Widely answered yes in tourist areas, less so in mountain villages.
N
Nai and Ohi
Yes and no. Nai sounds like the English “nay” but means yes, which catches out most first time visitors.
Nero
Water. Ena boukali nero is a bottle of water; tap water is potable in many but not all areas, so ask locally.
P
Parakalo
Please. The same word also does duty for “you’re welcome” and “how can I help you”.
Poso kani?
How much is it? Poso kanoun for more than one item.
S
Signomi
Excuse me, or sorry. The word to use for squeezing past people or catching a waiter’s eye.
Y
Yia sou / Yia sas
Hello and goodbye. Yia sou to one person you know; yia sas to a group, or to anyone you are being polite with.