Greek For Beginners in 5 Minutes (ALL THE BASICS YOU NEED!)
Today I’ll show you a beginner’s guide on introducing yourself in Greek.
Whether you’re traveling to Greece or just starting out with the language, today you’ll learn everything you need to make a great first impression in Greek.
Let’s dive in!
Whether you’re traveling to Greece or just starting out with the language, today you’ll learn everything you need to make a great first impression in Greek.
Let’s dive in!
Section 1: Basic Greetings
To start off, let’s learn some basic greetings. Here are the essentials!
1. Hello (informal) – Γειά σου or Hello (formal or plural) Γειά σας
2. Good morning – Καλημέρα
3. Good evening – Καλησπέρα
4. Good night – Καληνύχτα
5. Nice to meet you – Χαίρω πολύ
These greetings will get you off to a great start.
For example, if it’s morning, you can greet someone with ‘Καλημέρα!’
And to say ‘Nice to meet you,’ you can say, ‘Χαίρω πολύ.’
1. Hello (informal) – Γειά σου or Hello (formal or plural) Γειά σας
2. Good morning – Καλημέρα
3. Good evening – Καλησπέρα
4. Good night – Καληνύχτα
5. Nice to meet you – Χαίρω πολύ
These greetings will get you off to a great start.
For example, if it’s morning, you can greet someone with ‘Καλημέρα!’
And to say ‘Nice to meet you,’ you can say, ‘Χαίρω πολύ.’
Section 2: Introducing Your Name
Next, let’s go over how to introduce your name in Greek.
It’s easy, and there are a few ways to do it!
1. “My name is…” – Με λένε… (Me LE-ne…)
2. “I am…” – Είμαι… (EE-me…)
3. “My name is (full form)” – Το όνομά μου είναι… (To O-no-MA moo EE-neh…)
Let’s say your name is Maria.
You can introduce yourself by saying, ‘Με λένε Μαρία’ or ‘Είμαι η Μαρία.’
Both are perfectly natural and commonly used.
It’s easy, and there are a few ways to do it!
1. “My name is…” – Με λένε… (Me LE-ne…)
2. “I am…” – Είμαι… (EE-me…)
3. “My name is (full form)” – Το όνομά μου είναι… (To O-no-MA moo EE-neh…)
Let’s say your name is Maria.
You can introduce yourself by saying, ‘Με λένε Μαρία’ or ‘Είμαι η Μαρία.’
Both are perfectly natural and commonly used.
Section 3: Saying Where You’re From
Now that we’ve covered your name, let’s talk about where you’re from. Here’s how to say it in Greek.
1. “I am from…” – Είμαι από… (EE-me a-PO…)
2. “I come from…” – Κατάγομαι από… (Ka-TA-go-me a-PO…)
For example, if you’re from New York, you’d say ‘Είμαι από την Νέα Υόρκη.’
It’s a nice way to share a bit about yourself.
1. “I am from…” – Είμαι από… (EE-me a-PO…)
2. “I come from…” – Κατάγομαι από… (Ka-TA-go-me a-PO…)
For example, if you’re from New York, you’d say ‘Είμαι από την Νέα Υόρκη.’
It’s a nice way to share a bit about yourself.
Section 4: Talking About Your Age
If you’re comfortable, you can share your age. Here’s how to do it.
1. “I am [age] years old.” – Είμαι [number] χρονών. (EE-me [number] hro-NON)
So, if you’re 25, you’d say ‘Είμαι 25 χρονών.’
Just replace the number with your age, and you’re set!
1. “I am [age] years old.” – Είμαι [number] χρονών. (EE-me [number] hro-NON)
So, if you’re 25, you’d say ‘Είμαι 25 χρονών.’
Just replace the number with your age, and you’re set!
Section 5: Sharing What You Do
Let’s add a bit more detail! Here’s how to talk about what you do, whether it’s your job or a hobby.”
1. “I am a [job].” – Είμαι [job title]. (EE-me [job title])
o Teacher – Δάσκαλος / Δασκάλα (THAS-ka-los / THAS-ka-la)
o Engineer – Μηχανικός (Mee-ha-nee-KOS)
o Student – Φοιτητής / Φοιτήτρια (Fee-tee-TEES / Fee-TEE-tree-a)
2. “I like to…” – Μου αρέσει να… (Moo a-RE-see na…)
For example, if you’re a teacher, you’d say ‘Είμαι δάσκαλος’ (male) or ‘Είμαι δασκάλα’ (female).
Or if you want to mention a hobby, like saying ‘I like to paint,’ you can say
‘Μου αρέσει να ζωγραφίζω.”
1. “I am a [job].” – Είμαι [job title]. (EE-me [job title])
o Teacher – Δάσκαλος / Δασκάλα (THAS-ka-los / THAS-ka-la)
o Engineer – Μηχανικός (Mee-ha-nee-KOS)
o Student – Φοιτητής / Φοιτήτρια (Fee-tee-TEES / Fee-TEE-tree-a)
2. “I like to…” – Μου αρέσει να… (Moo a-RE-see na…)
For example, if you’re a teacher, you’d say ‘Είμαι δάσκαλος’ (male) or ‘Είμαι δασκάλα’ (female).
Or if you want to mention a hobby, like saying ‘I like to paint,’ you can say
‘Μου αρέσει να ζωγραφίζω.”
Section 6: Ending Your Introduction with Politeness
Finally, you can wrap up your introduction with a polite phrase to leave a good impression.”
1. “It was nice meeting you.” – Χάρηκα για τη γνωριμία. (HA-ree-ka ya tee gno-ree-MEE-a)
2. “See you!” – Τα λέμε! (Ta LE-me!)
To finish, you can say ‘Χάρηκα για τη γνωριμία,’ which means ‘It was nice meeting you.’ And ‘Τα λέμε!’ means ‘See you!
1. “It was nice meeting you.” – Χάρηκα για τη γνωριμία. (HA-ree-ka ya tee gno-ree-MEE-a)
2. “See you!” – Τα λέμε! (Ta LE-me!)
To finish, you can say ‘Χάρηκα για τη γνωριμία,’ which means ‘It was nice meeting you.’ And ‘Τα λέμε!’ means ‘See you!
Conclusion
And there you have it – the basics for introducing yourself in Greek!
You’re now ready to make your first Greek conversation.
Kali epitihia – good luck!
You’re now ready to make your first Greek conversation.
Kali epitihia – good luck!
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