Greece

Hellenic Language

Basic Greek words and phrases

NO - ochee

YES - neh

HELLO - Yahsass (to a group or formal, respectful greeting to an individual ) or; Yassou (to children or close friends)

PLEASE - para-kaLO

THANK YOU - efkhateeSTO / efkhareesto (I've heard it said both ways)

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND - THEN kataloveeno

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND, I ONLY SPEAK ENGLISH - THEN kataloveeno me-loh Mo-nen Angleeka

I AM SORRY - leePOOmeh

MY NAME IS - OonoMAzomeh

I DID NOT ORDER THIS - then toh parEENgeela ahf-TOH

HOW MUCH IS THE ENTRANCE FEE - poso kanee ee EEsodhos

GOOD - KaLO

BAD - KaKO

HOW ARE YOU? - POHSS EESS-theh? (FORMAL GREETING)

HOW ARE YOU? - Ti Kha-nees? (INFORMAL GREETING "what's going?" or "what's happening?")

GOOD MORNING - Kalimera

GOOD AFTERNOON - Kalispera

GOOD EVENING - Kalinikta

Count to Ten in Greek

One – EH-na

Two – THEE-oh

Three – TREE-uh

Four – TEH-sa-ruh

Five – PEN-deh

Six – EK-see

Seven – EF-tah

Eight – OK-toe

Nine – eh-NAY-uh

Ten – THEK-uh

Eleven – EHN-thekka

Twelve – THO-thekka

Thirteen – thekka-tria

Fourteen – thekka-TES-a-ruh

Fifteen – thekka-penday

Sixteen – thekka-EKsee

Seventeen – thekka-eftah

Eighteen – thekka-OKtoe

Nineteen – thekka-enyah

Twenty – EE-ko-see

"Please"

The Greek word "παρακαλώ" (parakalo) is a versatile term with several uses in everyday language. It is derived from the verb "παρακαλώ" which literally means "to ask" or "to request".

Here are the primary meanings:

Please: When used to make a polite request, "parakalo" functions like the English "please." For example, "Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε, παρακαλώ;" means "Can you help me, please?"

You're welcome: When responding to thanks, "parakalo" is used like "you're welcome." For instance, if someone says "ευχαριστώ" (thank you), the reply might be "παρακαλώ" (you’re welcome).

Excuse me or Pardon: It can be used to get someone’s attention or to politely interrupt, similar to saying "excuse me."

I beg your pardon: In formal or polite contexts, "parakalo" can be used to express a request for clarification or to repeat something.

"Parakalo" is used as a word to express a polite verbal form for requests, gratitude, or attentiveness.

How the modern Greek language increases child's intelligence

July 2019: Story at Optimisticmommy

Vienna: where Greek first appeared in print - Neo Kosmos

November 15, 2017: Nice primer on Greek history vis-a-vis Vienna and the impact of relations via the Ottoman Empire, and afterward:

"After the Treaty of Passarowitz was signed in 1717, the borders stabilised and there was a push to reopen commerce and to begin the reconstruction of a vast area devastated by decades of war. Aside from fixing the boundaries between the two empires, a key provision was the right of Ottoman and Austrian subjects to engage in commerce in each other's realms. The Austrians lacked knowledge of the Ottoman Empire, and the Turks disdained commerce, so as a practical matter the opportunity fell on Ottoman minorities, Orthodox Greeks and Serbs, as well as Jews and Armenians."

What is Greeklish?

Greeklish, a blending of words from Greek and English. Also called Grenglish, Latinoellinika, ASCII Greek. Greeklish can be the Greek language written out using a Latin alphabet.

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