With these words and phrases, you'll get through any everyday situation — and you're guaranteed to earn a smile. Greeting Greek Pronunciation German When? Καλημέρα ka-li-ME-ra Good morning Until about 1:00 PM Καλησπέρα ka-li-SPE-ra Good evening From about 5:00 PM Καληνύχτα ka-li-NICH-ta Good night A

In the tavern, a few words of Greek go a long way. Most waiters speak English, but ordering in Greek is more fun. Ordering & Paying Greek Pronunciation German Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ ton ka-TA-lo-go pa-ra-ka-LO The menu, please Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ ton lo-ga-rias-MO pa-ra-ka-LO The bill, please Θ

Orientation, transport, and the most important questions on the go. Questions & Orientation Greek Pronunciation German Πού είναι...; pu I-ne...? Where is...? Πού είναι η παραλία; pu I-ne i pa-ra-LI-a? Where is the beach? Πόσο μακριά; PO-so ma-kri-A? How far is it? Αριστερά a-ri-ste-RA Left Δεξιά de-

You need numbers when shopping, in the tavern, and at the ferry ticket office. Here are the most important ones: Number Greek Pronunciation 0 Μηδέν mi-DEN 1 Ένα E-na 2 Δύο DI-o 3 Τρία TRI-a 4 Τέσσερα TE-se-ra 5 Πέντε PEN-de 6 Έξι E-ksi 7 Εφτά ef-TA 8 Οχτώ och-TO 9 Εννέα / Εννιά e-NE-a / e-NI-a 10 Δέ

Griechenland Sprachführer: Wichtige Wörter & Redewendungen

Q: Pronunciation & Alphabet

The Greek alphabet has 24 letters and has been used for over 2,700 years. You know many letters from mathematics (pi, sigma, delta) or everyday life (Alpha, Beta, Omega). The pronunciation of Modern Greek differs significantly from Ancient Greek, which you might know from school. The Alphabet Letter

Praktisch · Kapitel 16

Language Guide

The Greek alphabet looks foreign, but don't panic — you'll recognize many letters from mathematics and physics. And even if you only say "Kalimera" and "Efcharisto," you've already won.

Pronunciation & Alphabet

The Greek alphabet has 24 letters and has been used for over 2,700 years. You know many letters from mathematics (pi, sigma, delta) or everyday life (Alpha, Beta, Omega). The pronunciation of Modern Greek differs significantly from Ancient Greek, which you might know from school.

The Alphabet

Letter	Name	Pronunciation	As in...
Α α	Alpha	a	"Father"
Β β	Vita	w	"Water" (NOT b!)
Γ γ	Gamma	gh / j	soft sound between "g" and "j", before e/i like "j" in "year"
Δ δ	Delta	dh	like English "th" in "this" (voiced)
Ε ε	Epsilon	e	"Bed"
Ζ ζ	Zita	s (voiced)	"Rose"
Η η	Ita	i	"Cinema"
Θ θ	Thita	th	like English "th" in "think" (voiceless)
Ι ι	Iota	i	"Cinema"
Κ κ	Kappa	k	"Cinema"
Λ λ	Lambda	l	"Land"
Μ μ	Mi	m	"Mother"
Ν ν	Ni	n	"Night"
Ξ ξ	Xi	ks	"Taxi"
Ο ο	Omikron	o	"Oven"
Π π	Pi	p	"Papa"
Ρ ρ	Ro	r (rolled)	slightly rolled, like in Bavarian
Σ σ/ς	Sigma	s	"Sun" (ς at the end of a word)
Τ τ	Taf	t	"Day"
Υ υ	Ypsilon	i	"Cinema"
Φ φ	Fi	f	"Fish"
Χ χ	Chi	ch	"Roof" (before a/o/u) or "ich" (before e/i)
Ψ ψ	Psi	ps	"Capsule"
Ω ω	Omega	o	"Oven" (same as Omikron!)

Important Diphthongs (Letter Combinations)

Combination	Pronunciation	Example
αι	e	"Bed" — και (ke) = and
ει, οι, υι	i	"Cinema"
ου	u	"Cow" — Ουζο (USO) = Ouzo
αυ	af / av	"af" before voiceless, "av" before voiced consonants
ευ	ef / ev	"ef" before voiceless, "ev" before voiced: ευχαριστω (efcharisto)
μπ	b / mb	"b" at the beginning of a word: μπυρα (bira) = Beer
ντ	d / nd	"d" at the beginning of a word: ντοματα (domata) = Tomato
γκ	g / ng	"g" at the beginning of a word
τσ	ts	τσατζικι (tsatsiki) = Tzatziki
τζ	dz	τζατζικι (dz-variant)

Accentuation

In Greek, the stressed syllable is marked with an accent (e.g., καφές = kafES). The accentuation is important — a wrongly stressed word can have a different meaning. In general: read the accent and stress the marked syllable!

Basics & Politeness

With these words and phrases, you'll get through any everyday situation — and you're guaranteed to earn a smile.

Greeting

Greek	Pronunciation	German	When?
Καλημέρα	ka-li-ME-ra	Good morning	Until about 1:00 PM
Καλησπέρα	ka-li-SPE-ra	Good evening	From about 5:00 PM
Καληνύχτα	ka-li-NICH-ta	Good night	As a farewell in the evening
Γειά σου	JA-su	Hello / Bye (you)	Informal, one person
Γειά σας	JA-sas	Hello / Bye (you)	Formal or multiple people

Politeness

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Ευχαριστώ	ef-cha-ri-STO	Thank you
Ευχαριστώ πολύ	ef-cha-ri-STO po-LI	Thank you very much
Παρακαλώ	pa-ra-ka-LO	Please / You're welcome
Συγνώμη	sig-NO-mi	Sorry
Ναι	neh	Yes
Όχι	O-chi	No
Πώς είστε;	pos I-ste?	How are you? (formal)
Πώς είσαι;	pos I-se?	How are you? (informal)
Καλά	ka-LA	Good
Καλά, ευχαριστώ	ka-LA ef-cha-ri-STO	Good, thank you
Δεν καταλαβαίνω	den ka-ta-la-VE-no	I don't understand
Μιλάτε γερμανικά;	mi-LA-te jer-ma-ni-KA?	Do you speak German?
Μιλάτε αγγλικά;	mi-LA-te ang-li-KA?	Do you speak English?

Tipp

WARNING: "Nai" (ναι) means YES and "Ochi" (όχι) means NO! This really confuses everyone at first. Additionally, Greeks sometimes nod upwards for "No" and downwards for "Yes" — exactly opposite to us.

In the Restaurant

In the tavern, a few words of Greek go a long way. Most waiters speak English, but ordering in Greek is more fun.

Ordering & Paying

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ	ton ka-TA-lo-go pa-ra-ka-LO	The menu, please
Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ	ton lo-ga-rias-MO pa-ra-ka-LO	The bill, please
Θα ήθελα...	tha I-the-la...	I would like...
Ένα ακόμα, παρακαλώ	E-na a-KO-ma pa-ra-ka-LO	Another one, please
Τι μας προτείνετε;	ti mas pro-TI-ne-te?	What do you recommend?
Το σπιτικό	to spi-ti-KO	The homemade

Drinks

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Νερό	ne-RO	Water
Κρασί	kra-SI	Wine
Κόκκινο κρασί	KO-ki-no kra-SI	Red wine
Λευκό κρασί	lef-KO kra-SI	White wine
Ροζέ	ro-SE	Rose
Μπύρα	BI-ra	Beer
Καφές	ka-FES	Coffee
Ελληνικός καφές	e-li-ni-KOS ka-FES	Greek coffee (Mokka)
Φρέντο εσπρέσο	FREN-do es-PRE-so	Cold espresso (THE summer drink!)
Φρέντο καπουτσίνο	FREN-do ka-pu-TSI-no	Cold cappuccino
Ούζο	U-so	Ouzo (anise schnapps)
Τσίπουρο	TSI-pu-ro	Tsipouro (grape schnapps)
Γειά μας!	JA-mas!	Cheers! (literally: To our health!)

Food

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Ψωμί	pso-MI	Bread
Ψάρι	PSA-ri	Fish
Κρέας	KRE-as	Meat
Κοτόπουλο	ko-TO-pu-lo	Chicken
Αρνί	ar-NI	Lamb
Χοιρινό	chi-ri-NO	Pork
Λαχανικά	la-cha-ni-KA	Vegetables
Σαλάτα	sa-LA-ta	Salad
Χορτοφάγος	chor-to-FA-gos	Vegetarian / Vegetarian
Νόστιμο!	NO-sti-mo!	Delicious!
Πολύ νόστιμο!	po-LI NO-sti-mo!	Very delicious!

On the Go

Orientation, transport, and the most important questions on the go.

Questions & Orientation

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Πού είναι...;	pu I-ne...?	Where is...?
Πού είναι η παραλία;	pu I-ne i pa-ra-LI-a?	Where is the beach?
Πόσο μακριά;	PO-so ma-kri-A?	How far is it?
Αριστερά	a-ri-ste-RA	Left
Δεξιά	de-ksi-A	Right
Ευθεία	ef-THI-a	Straight ahead
Κοντά	kon-DA	Nearby
Μακριά	ma-kri-A	Far away

Places & Facilities

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Παραλία	pa-ra-LI-a	Beach
Ξενοδοχείο	kse-no-do-CHI-o	Hotel
Νοσοκομείο	no-so-ko-MI-o	Hospital
Φαρμακείο	far-ma-KI-o	Pharmacy
Αεροδρόμιο	a-e-ro-DRO-mi-o	Airport
Λιμάνι	li-MA-ni	Port
Στάση λεωφορείου	STA-si le-o-fo-RI-u	Bus stop
Λεωφορείο	le-o-fo-RI-o	Bus
Φέρι / Πλοίο	FE-ri / PLI-o	Ferry / Ship
Ταξί	ta-KSI	Taxi
Εισιτήριο	i-si-TI-ri-o	Ticket / Admission ticket
Εκκλησία	e-kli-SI-a	Church
Μουσείο	mu-SI-o	Museum
Τράπεζα	TRA-pe-za	Bank
Σούπερ μάρκετ	SU-per MAR-ket	Supermarket
Τουαλέτα	tu-a-LE-ta	Toilet

Useful Phrases

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Πόσο κάνει;	PO-so KA-ni?	How much does it cost?
Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα;	bo-RO na pli-RO-so me KAR-ta?	Can I pay by card?
Βοήθεια!	vo-I-thi-a!	Help!
Χάθηκα	CHA-thi-ka	I'm lost

Numbers

You need numbers when shopping, in the tavern, and at the ferry ticket office. Here are the most important ones:

Number	Greek	Pronunciation
0	Μηδέν	mi-DEN
1	Ένα	E-na
2	Δύο	DI-o
3	Τρία	TRI-a
4	Τέσσερα	TE-se-ra
5	Πέντε	PEN-de
6	Έξι	E-ksi
7	Εφτά	ef-TA
8	Οχτώ	och-TO
9	Εννέα / Εννιά	e-NE-a / e-NI-a
10	Δέκα	DE-ka
11	Έντεκα	EN-de-ka
12	Δώδεκα	DO-de-ka
13	Δεκατρία	de-ka-TRI-a
14	Δεκατέσσερα	de-ka-TE-se-ra
15	Δεκαπέντε	de-ka-PEN-de
16	Δεκαέξι	de-ka-E-ksi
17	Δεκαεφτά	de-ka-ef-TA
18	Δεκαοχτώ	de-ka-och-TO
19	Δεκαεννέα	de-ka-e-NE-a
20	Είκοσι	I-ko-si
30	Τριάντα	tri-AN-da
40	Σαράντα	sa-RAN-da
50	Πενήντα	pe-NIN-da
60	Εξήντα	e-KSIN-da
70	Εβδομήντα	ev-do-MIN-da
80	Ογδόντα	og-DON-da
90	Ενενήντα	e-ne-NIN-da
100	Εκατό	e-ka-TO
1.000	Χίλια	CHI-li-a

Good to know

Numbers over 20 are combined like in German: 21 = Είκοσι ένα (ikosi ena), 35 = Τριάντα πέντε (trianda pende)
Bargaining in markets and souvenir shops (not in taverns!) is okay — but always friendly and with humor

Deciphering the Greek Menu

In tourist taverns, there are English and sometimes German menus. In traditional places in the countryside or on small islands, it's often only in Greek. This translation table helps you recognize the most important dishes and ingredients.

Appetizers (Ορεκτικά / Orektika)

Greek	Pronunciation	German	What is it?
Τζατζίκι	tsa-TSI-ki	Tzatziki	Yogurt with cucumber, garlic, olive oil
Χωριάτικη σαλάτα	cho-RI-a-ti-ki sa-LA-ta	Greek salad	Tomato, cucumber, onion, pepper, olives, feta. THE Greek salad
Μελιτζανοσαλάτα	me-li-dza-no-sa-LA-ta	Eggplant salad	Roasted eggplant, garlic, olive oil
Τυροκαυτερή	ti-ro-kaf-te-RI	Spicy cheese dip	Feta pureed with peppers
Ταραμοσαλάτα	ta-ra-mo-sa-LA-ta	Fish roe cream	Pink cream made from fish roe — better than it sounds!
Φάβα	FA-va	Fava bean puree	Yellow lentil puree from Santorini (not broad beans!)
Σαγανάκι	sa-ga-NA-ki	Fried cheese	Breaded and fried Graviera or Kefalotiri. Sometimes flambéed ("Opa!")
Ελιές	e-LI-es	Olives	Kalamata olives (dark) or green olives
Ντολμαδάκια	dol-ma-DA-ki-a	Stuffed vine leaves	With rice, herbs, sometimes minced meat
Κεφτεδάκια / Κεφτέδες	kef-te-DA-ki-a / kef-TE-des	Meatballs	Spiced minced meatballs, often with mint
Κολοκυθοκεφτέδες	ko-lo-ki-tho-kef-TE-des	Zucchini balls	Zucchini baked with feta and herbs (vegetarian!)
Γαρίδες σαγανάκι	ga-RI-des sa-ga-NA-ki	Shrimps in tomato sauce	Baked with feta — a classic
Χταπόδι	chta-PO-di	Octopus	Grilled or marinated — a must!

Main Courses (Κυρίως πιάτα / Kirios piata)

Greek	Pronunciation	German	What is it?
Μουσακάς	mu-sa-KAS	Moussaka	Casserole with eggplant, minced meat, béchamel sauce
Παστίτσιο	pa-STI-tsio	Pastitsio	"Greek lasagna" — tube pasta, mince, béchamel
Σουβλάκι	su-VLA-ki	Souvlaki	Meat skewer (pork or chicken)
Γύρος	JI-ros	Gyros	Spit-roasted meat (pork), in pita or on the plate
Μπριζόλα	bri-SO-la	Chop / Steak	Pork or lamb from the grill
Παϊδάκια	pa-i-DA-ki-a	Lamb chops	From the grill — the Greeks' favorite dish
Κλέφτικο	KLEF-ti-ko	Kleftiko	Lamb braised in the oven (buttery tender)
Στιφάδο	sti-FA-do	Stifado	Stew with shallots (beef or rabbit)
Γεμιστά	je-mi-STA	Stuffed peppers/tomatoes	With rice, herbs, sometimes mince
Ψητά λαχανικά	psi-TA la-cha-ni-KA	Grilled vegetables	Zucchini, eggplant, pepper
Γαρίδες	ga-RI-des	Shrimps	Grilled, fried, or in sauce
Καλαμαράκια	ka-la-ma-RA-ki-a	Small squids	Fried — crispy and perfect with lemon
Ψάρι σχάρας	PSA-ri SCHA-ras	Grilled fish	Calculated by weight (ASK price BEFORE!)
Μπακαλιάρος	ba-ka-LI-a-ros	Cod / Salted fish	Fried with Skordalia (garlic puree)

Sides & Extras

Greek	Pronunciation	German
Πατάτες τηγανητές	pa-TA-tes ti-ga-ni-TES	French fries
Ρύζι	RI-si	Rice
Ψωμί	pso-MI	Bread
Πίτα	PI-ta	Flatbread
Χόρτα	CHOR-ta	Wild herbs
Τυρί	ti-RI	Cheese
Φέτα	FE-ta	Feta
Λάδι	LA-di	Olive oil
Λεμόνι	le-MO-ni	Lemon

Desserts (Επιδόρπια / Epidorpia)

Greek	Pronunciation	German	What is it?
Μπακλαβάς	ba-kla-VAS	Baklava	Phyllo pastry, nuts, honey syrup
Γιαούρτι με μέλι	ja-UR-ti me ME-li	Yogurt with honey	Greek yogurt + thyme honey + walnuts
Λουκουμάδες	lu-ku-MA-des	Honey balls	Fried dough balls with honey and cinnamon
Γαλακτομπούρεκο	ga-lak-to-BU-re-ko	Semolina pudding in phyllo	Soaked in syrup — addictive!
Καρπούζι	kar-PU-si	Watermelon	The standard dessert in summer (often free!)

Tipp

Grilled fish in Greece is calculated by weight (per kilo). ALWAYS ask for the price beforehand or have the fish shown in the display and confirm the weight! Otherwise, the bill might surprise you.

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