Learn useful Greek phrases with audio pronunciation to enhance your travel experience in the Cyclades
While many Greeks in tourist areas speak English, learning a few basic Greek phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience. Locals appreciate the effort, and it can help you navigate more easily, especially in less touristy areas.
We've compiled a list of essential phrases with audio pronunciation to help you communicate during your visit to the Cyclades islands.
Showing40 of 40 phrases
Hello
Γειά σου
Pronunciation: YAH-soo
GreetingsGood morning
Καλημέρα
Pronunciation: ka-lee-MER-ah
GreetingsGood evening
Καλησπέρα
Pronunciation: ka-lee-SPER-ah
GreetingsGoodbye
Αντίο
Pronunciation: an-DEE-o
GreetingsPlease
Παρακαλώ
Pronunciation: para-ka-LO
BasicsThank you
Ευχαριστώ
Pronunciation: ef-kha-ree-STO
BasicsYou're welcome
Παρακαλώ
Pronunciation: para-ka-LO
BasicsYes
Ναι
Pronunciation: ne
BasicsNo
Όχι
Pronunciation: OH-hee
BasicsExcuse me
Με συγχωρείτε
Pronunciation: me seen-ho-REE-te
BasicsI don't understand
Δεν καταλαβαίνω
Pronunciation: then ka-ta-la-VE-no
BasicsDo you speak English?
Μιλάτε αγγλικά;
Pronunciation: mi-LA-te an-gli-KA
BasicsThe bill, please
Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ
Pronunciation: ton lo-ga-ree-a-SMO, para-ka-LO
DiningWhere is the bathroom?
Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;
Pronunciation: poo EE-ne ee twa-LE-ta
BasicsHow much does it cost?
Πόσο κοστίζει;
Pronunciation: PO-so ko-STEE-zi
ShoppingOne coffee, please
Έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ
Pronunciation: E-nan ka-FE, para-ka-LO
DiningWhere is the beach?
Πού είναι η παραλία;
Pronunciation: poo EE-ne ee para-LEE-a
SightseeingI would like a table for two
Θα ήθελα ένα τραπέζι για δύο
Pronunciation: tha EE-the-la E-na tra-PE-zi yia THEE-o
DiningWhat time is it?
Τι ώρα είναι;
Pronunciation: tee O-ra EE-ne
BasicsHow do I get to the port?
Πώς πάω στο λιμάνι;
Pronunciation: pos PA-o sto lee-MA-nee
TransportationI need a taxi
Χρειάζομαι ένα ταξί
Pronunciation: hree-A-zo-me E-na ta-KSEE
TransportationI would like to rent a car
Θα ήθελα να νοικιάσω ένα αυτοκίνητο
Pronunciation: tha EE-the-la na ni-kee-A-so E-na af-to-KEE-ni-to
TransportationI have a reservation
Έχω μια κράτηση
Pronunciation: E-ho MEE-a KRA-tee-see
AccommodationCan you help me?
Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;
Pronunciation: bo-REE-te na me vo-ee-THEE-se-te
EmergenciesI need a doctor
Χρειάζομαι έναν γιατρό
Pronunciation: hree-A-zo-me E-nan yia-TRO
EmergenciesWhere is the nearest pharmacy?
Πού είναι το πλησιέστερο φαρμακείο;
Pronunciation: poo EE-ne to plee-see-E-ste-ro far-ma-KEE-o
EmergenciesI'm lost
Έχω χαθεί
Pronunciation: E-ho ha-THEE
EmergenciesWhat do you recommend?
Τι προτείνετε;
Pronunciation: tee pro-TEE-ne-te
DiningIs there a menu in English?
Υπάρχει μενού στα αγγλικά;
Pronunciation: ee-PAR-hee me-NOO sta an-gli-KA
DiningWhat time does the ferry leave?
Τι ώρα φεύγει το πλοίο;
Pronunciation: tee O-ra FEV-yee to PLEE-o
TransportationOne ticket to Santorini, please
Ένα εισιτήριο για τη Σαντορίνη, παρακαλώ
Pronunciation: E-na ee-see-TEE-ree-o yia tee san-to-REE-nee, para-ka-LO
TransportationIs breakfast included?
Περιλαμβάνεται το πρωινό;
Pronunciation: pe-ri-lam-VA-ne-te to pro-ee-NO
AccommodationWhat time is check-out?
Τι ώρα είναι το check-out;
Pronunciation: tee O-ra EE-ne to check-out
AccommodationIs there Wi-Fi?
Υπάρχει Wi-Fi;
Pronunciation: ee-PAR-hee Wi-Fi
AccommodationCan I pay by credit card?
Μπορώ να πληρώσω με πιστωτική κάρτα;
Pronunciation: bo-RO na plee-RO-so me pis-to-ti-KEE KAR-ta
ShoppingI'm just looking
Απλά κοιτάζω
Pronunciation: a-PLA kee-TA-zo
ShoppingWhat time does it open?
Τι ώρα ανοίγει;
Pronunciation: tee O-ra a-NEE-yee
SightseeingHow much is the entrance fee?
Πόσο είναι το εισιτήριο εισόδου;
Pronunciation: PO-so EE-ne to ee-see-TEE-ree-o ee-SO-doo
SightseeingCan I take a photo here?
Μπορώ να βγάλω φωτογραφία εδώ;
Pronunciation: bo-RO na VGA-lo fo-to-gra-FEE-a e-THO
SightseeingCheers!
Γειά μας!
Pronunciation: YAH mas
DiningTranslate words and short phrases to Greek. This is a simple tool to help you communicate during your trip.
Note: This is a simple translation tool with a limited dictionary and may not be 100% accurate for complex phrases or grammar.
Stress marks: In our pronunciation guide, the stressed syllable is indicated with capital letters (e.g., ka-lee-MER-ah).
The Greek 'r': This is rolled slightly, similar to the Spanish 'r'.
The 'g' sound: In Greek, this is more like the 'y' in "yes" when it appears before certain vowels.
Listen to the audio: The best way to learn is to listen to the native pronunciation and practice.
Explore the Cyclades islands and put your new language skills to use!
Planning a trip to theCyclades islands? Learning a few essential Greek phrases will transform your experience. While English is widely spoken in tourist hubs likeSantorini and Mykonos, stepping off the beaten path to islands likeSifnos, Folegandros, or Amorgos is much richer when you can greet locals in their own language.
Our guide covers 50+ phrases organized by category — from basic greetings and restaurant vocabulary to directions and emergency phrases. Each entry includes the Greek script, phonetic pronunciation, and context for when to use it. Pair this guide with our packing list, weather forecast, and budget calculator to be fully prepared for your Greek island adventure.
Common questions about speaking Greek in Greece
Yes, most Greeks in tourist areas speak English, especially younger generations. However, learning basic Greek phrases shows respect and often leads to warmer interactions with locals.
