Greetings
Γεια σου (Yia sou)
YA soo
Hi / bye (informal). 'Yia sas' (YA sass) is the formal/plural version. Literally 'health to you' — the all-purpose Greek greeting.
Καλημέρα (Kaliméra)
ka-lee-MEH-ra
Good morning — used warmly until about noon. 'Kalispéra' (good evening) takes over in the afternoon.
Ευχαριστώ (Efharistó)
ef-ha-ri-STO
Thank you. 'Parakaló' (pa-ra-ka-LO) means both 'please' and 'you're welcome'. A little Greek earns big smiles here.
Daily life
Ναι / Όχι (Ne / Óhi)
neh / OH-hee
Yes / No — and the classic trap: 'ne' sounds like the English 'nay' but means YES. 'Óhi' is no. Mixing them up is the rite-of-passage mistake.
Πόσο κάνει; (Póso káni?)
PO-so KA-nee
How much is it? Essential at the laïki (street market) and kiosks. Most shops have fixed prices; haggling is mainly for markets and flea stalls.
Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά (Den miláo elliniká)
then mee-LA-o e-lee-nee-KA
I don't speak Greek. Most younger Athenians speak good English, so this plus 'miláte angliká?' (do you speak English?) unlocks help fast.
Πού είναι...; (Pou íne...?)
poo EE-neh
Where is...? e.g. 'Pou íne to metró?'. Athens' streets twist, so pair it with a map and you'll be pointed the right way.
Food
Έναν φρέντο, παρακαλώ (Énan fréddo)
EH-nan FREH-do pa-ra-ka-LO
A freddo, please — the iced espresso/cappuccino that rules Athenian café life. Ordering one and lingering for two hours is the local sport.
Social
Σιγά σιγά (Sigá sigá)
see-GA see-GA
Slowly, slowly / take it easy — half a phrase, half a philosophy. It's how Athens moves, and the right mindset for Greek bureaucracy.
Στην υγειά μας (Stin yiá mas)
stin yah MASS
Cheers! (to our health) — raised over ouzo, tsipouro or wine. 'Yamas!' is the short, everyday toast you'll hear most.
Φιλοξενία (Filoxenía)
fee-lo-xe-NEE-a
Hospitality — literally 'love of strangers', a core Greek value. Expect to be fed generously and refused when you try to pay; lean into it.
Emergency
Βοήθεια! (Voíthia!)
vo-EE-thya
Help! The pan-European emergency number is 112 (English-speaking); 166 is the EKAB ambulance, 100 police, 199 fire.
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