Greek Language - Learn Basic Greek Words And Phrases |
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Greek Language - Learn Basic Greek Words And PhrasesThe Greek language is considered as one of the most difficult languages to learn. This page is not going to teach you how to speak Greek but you can learn some basic Greek words and phrases in order to impress your friends in Crete. As it happens in every country, people in Crete will be glad to hear you trying to speak their language. Even if all you can say is "kalimera" or "Yassou", people will smile and open up.
Learn Greetings in Greek :In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script kalimera = good morning. Used both when coming to and going away from a place. kalispera = good afternoon. Used only when coming to a place or meeting someone in the evening or at night. kalinihta = good night. Used only as a goodbye greeting in the evening or at night. herete (e as in egg) = hello, used between 10:00 and 14:00 yassou = hello or goodbye (greeting to one person or a friend) yassas = hello or goodbye (greeting to more persons or a more formal and polite way to greet an unknown person) adio = goodbye Yassou file mou Niko = Hello my friend Niko, an easy way to please a Greek friend of yours.
Learn the names of Towns and Places in Crete and GreeceIn all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script Ellatha = Greece Ellinas = Greek (man) Ellinitha = Greek (woman) Kriti = Crete kritikos = Cretan man kritikia = Cretan woman Iraklio = Heraklion Hania = Chania Rethimno = Rethymnon Ayios Nikolaos = Agios Nikolaos Sitia = Sitia Knossos = Knossos Festos = Festos Samaria = Samaria (Gorge). Most tourist guides call it Samaria which is wrong. The emphasis is on the last syllable.
Learn the Greek Numbers:
- Count in Greek, flash movie with all numbers in Greek
In all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script
Learn the colours in Greek
Learn Common Greek PhrasesIn all the following, "e" is read as in "egg" and "th" is read as in "this". The emphasis in pronunciation falls on the syllable which is in underlined script Efharisto = Thank you Parakalo = Your Welcome Milate Anglika? = Do you speak English? Milate Yermanika? = Do you speak German? Then katalaveno = I don't understand Pos se lene? = What is your name? Me lene ... = My name is ... Apo pou eisai? = Where are you from? Eimai apo Anglia = I am from England Thelo ena kafe = I want a coffee Thelo ena tsai = I want a tea Thelo mia mpira = I want a beer Thelo ena poto = I want a drink Thelo ena thomatio = I want a room Ehete thomatio? = Do you have a room? ya mia mera = for one day ya thio meres = for two days ya mia vthomatha = for one week ya thio vthomathes = for two weeks Poso kanei? = How much is it? Poso hrostao = How much do I owe? Logariasmo parakalo = The bill, please. Mporo na bgalo mia fotografia? = May I take a photo? Ela = Come Fiye = Go away! (fi as in fish, ye as in yellow) Ise omorfi = you are beautiful M' areseis = I like you S' agapo = I love you M' agapas? = Do you love me? Agapi mou = My love, Darling Filise me = kiss me Fili = kiss Filos / F ili = friend (male) / (female). Pay attention to the small difference from "kiss". Eho filo = I have a boyfriend Eimai pantremeni = I am married (female) The Greek Alphabet and the sounds of the Greek letters
- The sound of the letters of the Greek Alphabet, flash movie with the Greek letters
Combinations of letters (Greek diphthongs) :
Greek words used in the English languageMany words used in English and other European languages come from Greek words. Here are some examples: apathy, basic, basis, cartographer, crisis, democratic, dialogue, enthusiasm, enthusiastic, geography, geometry, harmony, harmonic, history, magic, method, organ, organisation, organize, oxymoron, pachyderm, pathos, politics, problem, strategic, technology, telepathy, telephone, titanic. A great percentage of medical terminology is also Greek: In 1957 and 1959, the Greek economist Professor Xenophon Zolotas, Governor of the bank of Greece and Governor of the Funds for Greece, delivered two speeches in English using Greek words only. As Prof. Zolotas said: "`I always wished to address this Assembly in Greek, but I realized that it would have been indeed Greek to all present in this room. I found out, however, that I could make my address in Greek which would still be English to everybody. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I shall do it now, using with the exception of articles and prepositions only Greek words".
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