Language

While Greek is the main language used in Athens, most Athenians speak English and those in the hospitality industry are likely to speak French and German too.

Signage, menus and transportation signs are written in English and in Greek. It is always fun, of course, to try and communicate in Greek. Why not give it a try?

Here are some tips to get you started:

 

GOOD MORNING - KALIMERA

GOOD EVENING- KALISPERA

WHERE IS THE - POU EINAI TO

HELLO - YASOU

GOODBYE - ADIO

HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST?-POSO KOSTIZI?

WATER-NERO

YES-NAI

NO-OHI

TAXI-TAXI

BUS- LEOFORIO

METRO-METRO (BUS, METRO, TRAIN)

STOP - STASI

ELECTRIC RAILWAY - ELECTRIKOS

TRAIN-TRAINO

I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER - THA ITHELA NA PARAGEILO

BEACH-PARALIA

UMBRELLA-OMBRELLA

LOUNGE CHAIR- XAPLOSTRA

HOTEL-XENODOXEIO

WINE-KRASI

PLEASE - PARAKALO

SORRY - SIGNOMI

THANK YOU - EFXARISTO

I DON'T UNDERSTAND - DEN KATALAVENO

I DON'T KNOW - DEN KSERO

WHERE'S THE BATHROOM - POU INAI I TUALETA

BEER - BIRA

MILK - GALA

HELP- VOITHIA

 

Greek language in history: The Greek language has influenced hundreds of languages in the world including 12% of the English vocabulary. The Greek language is also the basis for thousands of terms used in science, mathematics and technology. The conquests of Alexander the Great (approximately 336-323 B.C.) spread the Greek language and culture to the native peoples of the East who adopted it as a second language. Known as the Hellenistic Koine or (common) language, it later became the official language of the entire eastern part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires. When Greece was liberated in 1830, two different versions existed: the demotic or colloquial language and katharevousa, or the purist language. In 1976, the Greek government adopted the demotic language (with several katharevousa elements) as the official language.