Language Guide
Greek — The Most Important Phrases
In the south, Cypriot Greek is spoken — a dialect that differs from standard Greek. Almost all Cypriots under 50 speak good English. Nevertheless, locals appreciate a few words of Greek:
| German | Greek | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Γεια σου (Geia sou) | JA su |
| Good morning | Καλημέρα (Kalimera) | kali-ME-ra |
| Good evening | Καλησπέρα (Kalispera) | kali-SPE-ra |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ (Efcharisto) | ef-cha-ri-STO |
| Please | Παρακαλώ (Parakalo) | para-ka-LO |
| Yes | Ναι (Nai) | NE |
| No | Όχι (Ochi) | O-chi |
| Sorry | Συγγνώμη (Signomi) | sig-NO-mi |
| How much is this? | Πόσο κάνει; (Poso kani?) | PO-so KA-ni? |
| The bill, please | Τον λογαριασμό (Ton logariasmo) | ton lo-ga-rias-MO |
| Water | Νερό (Nero) | ne-RO |
| Beer | Μπύρα (Bira) | BI-ra |
| Wine | Κρασί (Krasi) | kra-SI |
| Delicious! | Νόστιμο! (Nostimo!) | NO-sti-mo! |
| Cheers! | Γεια μας! (Geia mas!) | JA mas! |
| Where is...? | Πού είναι...; | PU I-ne...? |
| Help! | Βοήθεια! (Voitheia!) | vo-I-thia! |
| I don't understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω (Den katalaveno) | den ka-ta-la-VE-no |
Tipp
Caution: "Nai" (Yes) sounds like "Nein" (No) to German ears! However, Greeks nod at the same time. And "Ochi" (No) is often accompanied by a nod UPWARDS — also confusing.
Turkish — The Most Important Phrases
In the north, Cypriot Turkish is spoken. English is less common than in the south, especially among older people. A few words of Turkish are received with genuine enthusiasm:
| German | Turkish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Merhaba | mer-HA-ba |
| Good day | İyi günler | I-ji GÜN-ler |
| Thank you | Teşekkür ederim | te-schek-KÜR e-de-RIM |
| Please | Lütfen | LÜT-fen |
| Yes | Evet | e-WET |
| No | Hayır | HA-jir |
| Sorry | Özür dilerim | ö-SÜR di-le-RIM |
| How much is this? | Ne kadar? | ne ka-DAR? |
| The bill, please | Hesap lütfen | he-SAP LÜT-fen |
| Water | Su | su |
| Tea | Çay | tschai |
| Coffee | Kahve | kah-WE |
| Delicious! | Çok güzel! | tschok gü-SEL! |
| Cheers! | Şerefe! | sche-re-FE! |
| Where is...? | ...nerede? | ...ne-re-DE? |
| Help! | İmdat! | im-DAT! |
| I don't understand | Anlamıyorum | an-la-MI-jo-rum |
Culinary Dictionary
The most important terms for the menu — so you know what you're ordering:
| German | Greek (South) | Turkish (North) |
|---|---|---|
| Bread | Psomi | Ekmek |
| Salad | Salata | Salata |
| Cheese | Tyri | Peynir |
| Halloumi | Halloumi | Hellim |
| Meat | Kreas | Et |
| Lamb | Arni | Kuzu |
| Pork | Chirino | (not common) |
| Chicken | Kotopoulo | Tavuk |
| Fish | Psari | Balık |
| Shrimps | Garides | Karides |
| Squid | Kalamari | Kalamar |
| Mixed grill | Misto Psito | Karışık Izgara |
| Meze | Meze | Meze |
| Olive oil | Elaiolado | Zeytinyağı |
| Cyprus coffee | Kypriakos kafes | Türk kahvesi |
| Without sugar | Sketo | Sade |
| Medium sweet | Metrio | Orta |
| Sweet | Glyko | Şekerli |
Tipp
Never order "Turkish coffee" in the south — it's called "Cypriot coffee" (Kypriakos kafes). In the north, it's "Türk kahvesi". Same coffee, different name — but the naming is a political statement!
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