Greek Phrases for the Pharmacy and Emergencies
We hope you never need them, but they are good to have at hand. With these phrases you can explain what hurts, ask for medicine at the pharmacy and call for help if needed. In the pronunciation column the stressed syllable is shown in capital letters.
| Greek | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Βοήθεια! | VoIthia! | Help! |
| Χρειάζομαι γιατρό | HriAzome yatrO | I need a doctor |
| Καλέστε ασθενοφόρο | KalEste asthenofOro | Call an ambulance |
| Πού είναι το νοσοκομείο; | Pu Ine to nosokomIo? | Where is the hospital? |
| Πού είναι το φαρμακείο; | Pu Ine to farmakIo? | Where is the pharmacy? |
| Δεν νιώθω καλά | Den nyOtho kalA | I do not feel well |
| Πονάει εδώ | PonAi edO | It hurts here |
| Έχω πυρετό | Eho piretO | I have a fever |
| Έχω πονοκέφαλο | Eho ponokEfalo | I have a headache |
| Πονάει το στομάχι μου | PonAi to stomAhi mu | My stomach hurts |
| Είμαι αλλεργικός / αλλεργική σε… | Ime aleryikOs / aleryikI se… | I am allergic to… (m / f) |
| Είμαι διαβητικός / διαβητική | Ime diavitikOs / diavitikI | I am diabetic (m / f) |
| Χρειάζομαι παυσίπονο | HriAzome pafsIpono | I need a painkiller |
| Κάτι για το έγκαυμα από τον ήλιο | KAti ya to Engavma apO ton Ilio | Something for sunburn |
| Με τσίμπησε μέλισσα | Me tsImbise mElisa | A bee stung me |
| Έχασα το διαβατήριό μου | Ehasa to diavatIrio mu | I have lost my passport |
| Με έκλεψαν | Me Eklepsan | I have been robbed |
| Καλέστε την αστυνομία | KalEste tin astinomIa | Call the police |
Emergency numbers
The single European emergency number is 112; it is free and calls are answered in English as well. The individual services also have their own numbers: 166 for an ambulance, 100 for the police and 199 for the fire brigade. Keep the address of the place you are staying written down so you can give it quickly.
Pharmacies and duty pharmacies
Pharmacies in Greece are marked with a green cross. Pharmacists are well trained and often speak English, so for minor complaints ask there first. Outside opening hours there are duty pharmacies – εφημερεύοντα φαρμακεία (efimerEvonda farmakIa). The list of pharmacies on duty that day is posted on the door of every pharmacy.
Health card and insurance
EU citizens can use state healthcare in Greece with a European Health Insurance Card, issued in your home country before you travel. It does not cover private clinics or transport home, so travel insurance is a sensible addition.
How to explain the problem
If you cannot think of the word, simply point and say Πονάει εδώ (PonAi edO). Brand names of medicines in Greece often differ from those at home, so write down the active ingredient of anything you take regularly, or bring the packaging with you.