Modern Greek For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Do you have Greek heritage? Is your partner Greek? Are you visiting Greece for vacation? With this Cheat Sheet, you can make a strong start in learning the Greek language. Here you find common Greek greetings, expressions, questions, and other handy phrases to use in different situations.

Common Greek greetings and expressions

Imagine you just arrived in Greece and you're sitting at a café. You want to greet the waiter politely before ordering your coffee. How would you do that? Use the basic vocabulary from this table to help you.

How to ask essential questions in Greek

Don’t be shy about speaking Greek, even if you know only a few words. Just making an effort to speak a language — any language! — helps a lot in learning it more thoroughly. Ask questions, even if you accompany them with an awkward laugh. Your conversation partner will surely appreciate your effort and will gladly respond.

How to speak Greek at a restaurant

Greece is famous for its cuisine and its rich culinary tradition. So, surely just a few hours after your arrival in Greece, you’ll find yourself at a taverna or a restaurant. If you’d like, you can try ordering in Greek using the basic expressions in the following table.

Getting around in Greek

It’s your first walk in Greece — you’re strolling, taking photos, observing — and suddenly you realize you’re lost. Instead of checking your phone for directions, you can ask a local for help. How would you say, “Where is the city center?” or “Where is the museum?” The following table gives you some helpful expressions.

Greek in case of emergency

Greece is generally a safe destination. Nevertheless, it’s important that in any country you visit, you know a few expressions you can use when you need help. The following table has Greek phrases you can use in case of emergency.

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