Practical Easy Greek for Holidays: Simple Greek Phrases Every Traveller Should Know
You do not need to speak fluent Greek to enjoy a holiday in Greece, but learning a few simple phrases can make your trip feel so much warmer, friendlier and more personal.
In Corfu, especially in popular holiday resorts and tourist areas, many people speak excellent English. But even just saying “hello”, “thank you” or “good morning” in Greek is always appreciated. It shows respect, makes interactions feel more genuine, and can help you feel more confident when ordering food, asking for directions, shopping in Corfu Old Town or chatting to locals.
Whether you are visiting Corfu for a relaxing beach holiday, a romantic break, a family trip or your first Greek island escape, here are some practical, easy Greek phrases for holidays that you can actually use.
A Quick Note on Greek Pronunciation
The pronunciations below are simple English-friendly guides, designed to help you feel confident saying the words on holiday. You do not need to sound perfect. A friendly smile and a simple Greek word like efcharisto — pronounced ef-ha-ree-STOH — will always be appreciated.
Basic Greek Greetings
These are some of the most useful Greek greetings to learn before your holiday.
Hello — Yia sou
Pronounced: yah soo
Use this when speaking casually to one person.
Hello — Yia sas
Pronounced: yah sass
Use this when speaking politely, to someone older, or to more than one person.
Good morning — Kalimera
Pronounced: ka-lee-MEH-ra
This is one of the loveliest Greek words to use. Say it when entering a café, bakery, hotel reception, shop or taverna in the morning.
Good evening — Kalispera
Pronounced: ka-lee-SPEH-ra
Use this from late afternoon onwards.
Good night — Kalinihta
Pronounced: ka-lee-NEEKH-ta
Use this when you are saying goodbye at night.
Goodbye — Andio
Pronounced: an-DEE-oh
You may also hear people use “yia” casually for both hello and goodbye.
Polite Greek Phrases Everyone Should Know
A little politeness goes a long way when travelling in Greece.
Thank you — Efcharisto
Pronounced: ef-ha-ree-STOH
This is probably the most useful Greek word you can learn.
Please — Parakalo
Pronounced: pa-ra-ka-LOH
Use this when asking for something politely.
You’re welcome — Parakalo
Pronounced: pa-ra-ka-LOH
This word is very useful because it can mean both “please” and “you’re welcome”, depending on the situation.
Sorry — Signomi
Pronounced: see-GNOH-mee
Use this if you bump into someone or want to apologise.
Excuse me — Signomi
Pronounced: see-GNOH-mee
This is also useful if you need to get someone’s attention.
Yes — Ne
Pronounced: neh
This can be confusing because it sounds a little like “no” in English, but in Greek it means yes.
No — Ochi
Pronounced: OH-hee
This means no.
I don’t understand — Den katalaveno
Pronounced: then ka-ta-la-VEH-no
Useful if someone speaks quickly in Greek and you need a little help.
Do you speak English? — Milate Anglika?
Pronounced: mee-LAH-teh an-glee-KAH
A very helpful phrase when travelling around Greece.
Easy Greek Phrases for Restaurants and Cafés
Greek food is one of the best parts of any holiday, and these phrases are perfect for tavernas, cafés, beach bars and restaurants.
A table for two, please — Ena trapezi gia dio, parakalo
Pronounced: EH-na tra-PEH-zee yah THEE-oh, pa-ra-ka-LOH
The menu, please — To menu, parakalo
Pronounced: to meh-NOO, pa-ra-ka-LOH
Water, please — Nero, parakalo
Pronounced: neh-ROH, pa-ra-ka-LOH
Coffee, please — Kafe, parakalo
Pronounced: ka-FEH, pa-ra-ka-LOH
The bill, please — Ton logariasmo, parakalo
Pronounced: ton lo-ga-ree-as-MOH, pa-ra-ka-LOH
It was delicious — Itan nostimo
Pronounced: EE-tan NO-stee-moh
This is a lovely phrase to use after a meal.
Cheers — Yamas
Pronounced: YAH-mas
You will hear this a lot in Greece. Use it when raising a glass with friends.
Useful Greek Food and Drink Words
It is also worth learning a few simple menu words before your holiday.
Chicken — Kotopoulo
Pronounced: ko-to-POO-loh
Fish — Psari
Pronounced: psa-REE
Meat — Kreas
Pronounced: KREH-as
Salad — Salata
Pronounced: sa-LAH-ta
Bread — Psomi
Pronounced: pso-MEE
Cheese — Tiri
Pronounced: tee-REE
Wine — Krasi
Pronounced: kra-SEE
Beer — Bira
Pronounced: BEE-ra
Ice cream — Pagoto
Pronounced: pa-go-TOH
Coffee — Kafes
Pronounced: ka-FESS
Water — Nero
Pronounced: neh-ROH
If you are planning lots of meals out in Corfu, it is always worth exploring different areas of the island. Corfu Town is perfect for stylish cafés, bakeries and restaurants, while beach resorts are ideal for relaxed tavernas, sunset drinks and long Greek lunches by the sea.
You may also want to read our guide to the best things to do in Corfu if you are planning days out between all the eating, drinking and exploring.
Greek Phrases for Shopping
Whether you are buying souvenirs, local honey, olive oil, handmade gifts, jewellery, beach essentials or something lovely from Corfu Old Town, these simple Greek phrases can help.
How much is it? — Poso kani?
Pronounced: PO-so KA-nee
I would like this — Tha ithela afto
Pronounced: tha EE-theh-la af-TOH
Do you take card? — Pernete karta?
Pronounced: PER-neh-teh KAR-ta
Too expensive — Poli akrivo
Pronounced: po-LEE a-kree-VOH
Beautiful — Omorfo
Pronounced: OH-mor-foh
Very nice — Poli oreo
Pronounced: po-LEE o-REH-oh
These are especially useful in Corfu Old Town, where you will find small boutiques, handmade gifts, leather sandals, ceramics, jewellery, artwork, local products and traditional Greek souvenirs.
Greek Phrases for Directions
Even if you use Google Maps, it is still handy to know a few simple direction words and phrases.
Where is…? — Pou ine…?
Pronounced: poo EE-neh
Where is the beach? — Pou ine i paralia?
Pronounced: poo EE-neh ee pa-ra-LEE-ah
Where is the bus stop? — Pou ine i stasi leoforiou?
Pronounced: poo EE-neh ee STAH-see leh-oh-fo-REE-oo
Where is the toilet? — Pou ine i toualeta?
Pronounced: poo EE-neh ee too-ah-LEH-ta
Left — Aristera
Pronounced: a-ree-steh-RAH
Right — Dexia
Pronounced: thek-see-AH
Straight ahead — Efthia
Pronounced: ef-thee-AH
Here — Edo
Pronounced: eh-THOH
There — Ekei
Pronounced: eh-KEE
If you are planning to explore beyond your resort, it is a good idea to plan your transport before you arrive. You can read our guide to Corfu airport transfers or our advice on car hire in Corfu to help decide what is best for your trip.
Greek Phrases for Hotels and Accommodation
These phrases are useful at hotels, apartments, villas, guesthouses and holiday rentals.
I have a reservation — Echo kratisi
Pronounced: EH-hoh kra-TEE-see
My name is… — Me lene…
Pronounced: meh LEH-neh
What time is check-in? — Ti ora ine to check-in?
Pronounced: tee OH-ra EE-neh to check-in
What time is check-out? — Ti ora ine to check-out?
Pronounced: tee OH-ra EE-neh to check-out
Can you help me? — Borite na me voithisete?
Pronounced: bo-REE-teh na meh vo-ee-thee-SEH-teh
I need a taxi — Hriazome taxi
Pronounced: hree-AH-zo-meh TAX-ee
If you have not booked your stay yet, start with our guide to where to stay in Corfu, especially if you are unsure whether to choose Corfu Town, Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Roda, Kassiopi, Dassia, Ipsos, Benitses, Acharavi or another area.
Greek Phrases for Emergencies
Hopefully you will not need these, but they are good to know before travelling.
Help — Voithia
Pronounced: vo-EE-thee-ah
I need a doctor — Hriazome giatro
Pronounced: hree-AH-zo-meh yah-TROH
I need a pharmacy — Hriazome farmakeio
Pronounced: hree-AH-zo-meh far-ma-KEE-oh
Call an ambulance — Kaleste asthenoforo
Pronounced: ka-LEH-steh as-theh-no-FOH-roh
I am lost — Hathika
Pronounced: HA-thee-ka
For peace of mind, it is always worth arranging travel insurance for Greece before your trip, especially if you are travelling with children, older relatives, medical conditions, a full itinerary or activities such as boat trips, quad biking or watersports.
Easy Greek Numbers for Travellers
Numbers are useful for ordering drinks, booking tables, asking prices, buying tickets and chatting in simple everyday situations.
One — Ena
Pronounced: EH-na
Two — Dio
Pronounced: THEE-oh
Three — Tria
Pronounced: TREE-ah
Four — Tessera
Pronounced: TEH-seh-ra
Five — Pente
Pronounced: PEN-deh
Six — Exi
Pronounced: EX-ee
Seven — Efta
Pronounced: ef-TAH
Eight — Okto
Pronounced: ok-TOH
Nine — Ennea
Pronounced: en-NEH-ah
Ten — Deka
Pronounced: THEH-ka
A good phrase to know is:
Two coffees, please — Dio kafedes, parakalo
Pronounced: THEE-oh ka-FEH-thes, pa-ra-ka-LOH
Useful Greek Words You May See on Holiday
You may spot these Greek words on signs, menus, maps or around town.
Beach — Paralia
Pronounced: pa-ra-LEE-ah
Port — Limani
Pronounced: lee-MAH-nee
Centre — Kentro
Pronounced: KEN-troh
Market — Agora
Pronounced: a-go-RAH
Pharmacy — Farmakeio
Pronounced: far-ma-KEE-oh
Taverna / traditional restaurant — Taverna
Pronounced: ta-VER-na
Café — Kafeteria
Pronounced: ka-feh-TEH-ree-ah
Grill restaurant — Psistaria
Pronounced: psee-sta-REE-ah
Bakery — Fournos
Pronounced: FOOR-nos
Open — Anoikto
Pronounced: a-neek-TOH
Closed — Kleisto
Pronounced: klees-TOH
These words are especially useful if you are exploring independently, taking buses, wandering around Corfu Town or visiting smaller villages.
Simple Greek Pronunciation Tips
Greek pronunciation can look intimidating at first, but for holiday phrases, you do not need to be perfect. Most people will understand and appreciate the effort.
The “ch” sound in words like efcharisto — pronounced ef-ha-ree-STOH — is softer than the English “ch”. It is more like the sound in the Scottish word “loch”.
The “d” sound in words like dexia — pronounced thek-see-AH — can sound softer, a little closer to “th” in English.
The Greek word ne — pronounced neh — means yes, even though it can sound like “no” to English speakers.
Do not worry about getting everything perfect. A smile, a polite tone and a simple efcharisto — pronounced ef-ha-ree-STOH — can go a long way.
The Best Greek Phrases to Learn Before Your Holiday
If you only remember ten Greek phrases before your holiday, make them these:
Kalimera — pronounced ka-lee-MEH-ra — Good morning
Yia sas — pronounced yah sass — Hello
Efcharisto — pronounced ef-ha-ree-STOH — Thank you
Parakalo — pronounced pa-ra-ka-LOH — Please / you’re welcome
Signomi — pronounced see-GNOH-mee — Sorry / excuse me
Ne — pronounced neh — Yes
Ochi — pronounced OH-hee — No
Pou ine i toualeta? — pronounced poo EE-neh ee too-ah-LEH-ta — Where is the toilet?
Ton logariasmo, parakalo — pronounced ton lo-ga-ree-as-MOH, pa-ra-ka-LOH — The bill, please
Yamas — pronounced YAH-mas — Cheers
Easy Greek for Corfu Holidays
Although Corfu is one of the most visitor-friendly Greek islands, learning a little Greek can make your holiday feel more connected. It can help when you are ordering breakfast in a local bakery, asking for the bill in a taverna, speaking to your hotel owner, shopping for souvenirs or saying good morning to someone in a village.
Corfu has a warm, welcoming feel, and a little effort really does go a long way. You do not need to speak perfect Greek. You just need a few friendly words, a smile and the confidence to try.
Final Thoughts: A Little Greek Goes a Long Way
You do not need to learn lots of Greek before your holiday. Even a few simple words can make your trip feel more respectful, connected and enjoyable.
Whether you are ordering coffee in Corfu Old Town, saying good morning to your hotel owner, asking for the bill in a beach taverna or saying cheers over a sunset drink, these practical easy Greek phrases are perfect for travellers.
And honestly, one of the best phrases you can learn is the simplest:
Efcharisto — pronounced ef-ha-ree-STOH — thank you.
It is easy, kind and always appreciated.
