Aspects of Greek culture
Whether you're a seasoned visitor to Greece or a first-timer, we thought that you might like some background information on the main things you will enjoy on holiday – food, drink and speaking Greek!.
Language
To learn some basic Greek language, Travelling Words offers basic language lessons as MP3s (for about $11 with the first one free) so you can learn on your PC or iPod. If you want to know more about the language and its development, the entry on Wikipedia is fantastic. We've listed below some of the more useful words and phrases that will bring a smile to your listener's face (either due to the pleasure of being spoken to in their native language or due to your pronunciation!). We've tried to make the pronunciation easier by emphasising the stress in each word using an accent – best of luck!
Useful words and phrases
good morning: kaliméra
good evening: kalispéra
good night: kaliníhta
hello or goodbye: yá sou (singular); yá sas (plural)
how are you?: ti kánis?
very well: polí kalá
yes/no: ne/ohi
please: parakaló
thank you: efharistó
excuse me/sorry: sighnómi
you're welcome: parakaló (yes, again!)
where is…?: pou íne…?
how much?: póso káni?
Eating out
a table for 2, please: éna trapézi ya dhio, parakaló
the menu, please: ton katálogho, parakaló
what do you recommend?: ti sistínete?
have you got…?: ehete…?
I'll have…: mou férnete…
that's all, thanks: aftá, efharistó
the bill, please: ton loghariasmó, parakaló
Reading menus
baked: sto foúrno
grilled: sharistós
fried: tighanitós
roast: psitós
stuffed: yemistós/yemistá
boiled: vrastós
on the spit: sti soúvla
is highly recommended.