Greetings
Γεια σου
YAH soo
Hello / hi (informal). 'Γεια σας' (YAH sas) is the plural and polite form.
Αντίο
an-DEE-o
Goodbye. 'Γεια' works for both hello and goodbye in casual use.
Social
Ευχαριστώ
ef-ha-ri-STO
Thank you. Cypriots often shorten it to 'efharisto poli' — thank you very much.
Παρακαλώ
pa-ra-ka-LO
Please, and also you're welcome. The same word does both jobs.
Ίντα καμνεις;
IN-da KAM-nis
How are you? — in Cypriot Greek rather than standard Greek. Using it marks you out as someone who has actually been here.
Σιγά σιγά
si-GHA si-GHA
Slowly, slowly. The pace of Cypriot administration in two words, and said without irony.
Daily life
ARC
A-R-C
Alien Registration Certificate — your residence card number. Nothing bureaucratic proceeds without it.
ΓεΣΥ (GESY)
YEH-see
The General Healthcare System. Registering with a personal doctor within it is the step that switches on affordable health care.
Προσωπικός ιατρός
pro-so-pi-KOS ya-TROS
Personal doctor — the GESY GP whose list you join. Everything else is referred through them.
Food
Καφές φραπέ
ka-FES fra-PEH
Iced instant coffee, shaken. Ordering it 'metrios' gets you medium-sweet, which is the default.
Μεζέ
me-ZEH
The Cypriot meze — twenty-odd small dishes, ordered for the table, taking three hours. Do not eat beforehand.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.