Basic Greek Phrases for Tourists in Kavala – A Short Phrasebook
Even a few words of Greek can make your trip to Kavala more enjoyable and bring a smile to the faces of the locals. Below we’ve prepared a short phrasebook with the most useful phrases, written in Greek, with an approximate English-style pronunciation guide.
| Greek | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Γεια σου / Γεια σας | Ya su / Ya sas | Hello (informal) / Hello (polite) |
| Καλημέρα | Kaliméra | Good morning |
| Καλησπέρα | Kalispéra | Good evening |
| Αντίο | Andío | Goodbye |
| Παρακαλώ | Parakaló | Please / You're welcome |
| Ευχαριστώ | Efharistó | Thank you |
| Ναι | Neh | Yes |
| Όχι | Óhi | No |
| Συγγνώμη | Signómi | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Πόσο κοστίζει; | Póso kostízi? | How much does it cost? |
| Πού είναι...; | Pu íne...? | Where is...? |
| Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | Ton logariasmó, parakaló | The bill, please |
| Καλή όρεξη | Kalí óreksi | Enjoy your meal |
| Μιλάτε αγγλικά; | Miláte angliká? | Do you speak English? |
| Δεν καταλαβαίνω | Den katalavéno | I don't understand |
| Βοήθεια! | Voíthia! | Help! |
| Νερό | Neró | Water |
| Νόστιμο | Nóstimo | Delicious |
More Greek phrases by topic
Important Note: “Ναι” Sounds Like “No”!
One of the most common misunderstandings for English-speaking tourists in Greece is the word for “yes” – Ναι (pronounced “neh”), which sounds very similar to the English word “nay” or “no”. Pay special attention to this to avoid funny but confusing situations when talking with locals.
Politeness: σου vs σας
Similar to the English distinction between an informal and a formal tone of address, Greek uses σου (informal, singular) and σας (polite, or when addressing a group). If you’re not sure which form to use – with strangers, shopkeepers, or older people – it’s always safer to choose the polite form σας.
The Head Nod – Not What You’d Expect
In Greece, a sharp upward tilt of the chin (sometimes accompanied by a slight raise of the eyebrows) traditionally means “no”, rather than agreement, as one might expect. This gesture is documented and occurs throughout Greece, not just in certain regions – it’s good to recognize it so you don’t misread your conversation partner’s body language.