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March 03, 2025 00:35
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Greek Language Basics Cheatsheet

A concise reference for essential Greek vocabulary, grammar, and phrases to help you start learning Greek.

Alphabet and Pronunciation

The Greek Alphabet

Α α

Alpha - a (as in father)

Β β

Beta - v (as in vine)

Γ γ

Gamma - gh/y (before e, i)

Δ δ

Delta - th (as in this)

Ε ε

Epsilon - e (as in bed)

Ζ ζ

Zeta - z (as in zoo)

Η η

Eta - ee (as in feet)

Θ θ

Theta - th (as in thin)

Pronunciation Notes

Γγ:

  • Before ε, ι, η, υ, αι, ει, οι: pronounced like ‘y’ in ‘yes’.
  • Otherwise: pronounced like ‘gh’ (similar to the French ‘r’).

Δδ:

  • Always pronounced like ‘th’ in ‘this’.

Θθ:

  • Always pronounced like ‘th’ in ‘thin’.

Combinations:

  • μπ (mp) is pronounced ‘b’
  • ντ (nt) is pronounced ‘d’
  • γγ/γκ (gg/gk) is pronounced ‘ng’
  • τσ (ts) is pronounced ‘ts’
  • τζ (tz) is pronounced ‘dz’

Basic Vocabulary

Greetings

Γεια σας (Yia sas)

Hello (formal/plural)

Γεια σου (Yia sou)

Hello (informal/singular)

Καλημέρα (Kalimera)

Good morning/Good day

Καλό μεσημέρι (Kalo mesimeri)

Good afternoon

Καλισπέρα (Kalispera)

Good evening

Καληνύχτα (Kalinihta)

Good night

Αντίο (Adio)

Goodbye

Common Phrases

Τι κάνεις; (Ti kanis?)

How are you? (informal)

Τι κάνετε; (Ti kanete?)

How are you? (formal/plural)

Είμαι καλά (Ime kala)

I'm fine

Ευχαριστώ (Efharisto)

Thank you

Παρακαλώ (Parakalo)

You're welcome/Please

Συγγνώμη (Signomi)

Excuse me/Sorry

Δεν καταλαβαίνω (Den katalavaino)

I don't understand

Basic Grammar

Nouns and Genders

Greek nouns have three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. The gender of a noun affects its article and adjective agreement.

  • Masculine: usually ends in -ος, -ης, -ας
  • Feminine: usually ends in -α, -η
  • Neuter: usually ends in -ο, -ι, -ον

Articles:

  • Masculine: ο (o)
  • Feminine: η (i)
  • Neuter: το (to)

Examples:

  • ο άνδρας (o andras) - the man (masculine)
  • η γυναίκα (i gineka) - the woman (feminine)
  • το παιδί (to pedi) - the child (neuter)

Basic Verb: Είμαι (I am)

The verb είμαι (ime) means ‘to be’. Here’s its conjugation in the present tense:

  • Εγώ είμαι (Ego imai) - I am
  • Εσύ είσαι (Esi ise) - You are (informal)
  • Αυτός/Αυτή/Αυτό είναι (Aftos/Afti/Afto ine) - He/She/It is
  • Εμείς είμαστε (Emeis imaste) - We are
  • Εσείς είστε (Eseis iste) - You are (formal/plural)
  • Αυτοί/Αυτές/Αυτά είναι (Afti/Aftes/Afta ine) - They are

Essential Phrases and Questions

Asking Questions

Πώς; (Pos?)

How?

Τι; (Ti?)

What?

Πού; (Pou?)

Where?

Πότε; (Pote?)

When?

Γιατί; (Giati?)

Why?

Πόσο; (Poso?)

How much/many?

Ποιος/Ποια/Ποιο; (Poios/Poia/Poio?)

Who/Which?

Useful Phrases

Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (Milate anglika?)

Do you speak English?

Μιλάω λίγα ελληνικά (Milao liga ellinika)

I speak a little Greek

Πόσο κάνει; (Poso kani?)

How much does it cost?

Πού είναι η τουαλέτα; (Pou ine i toualeta?)

Where is the toilet?

Βοήθεια! (Boithia!)

Help!

Δεν ξέρω (Den ksero)

I don't know

Καταλαβαίνω (Katalavaino)

I understand