Survival Greek Phrases

Moving to Cyprus is exciting.

But your first weeks can also feel confusing, especially when everyone around you speaks Greek.

This page gives you the most important real-life Greek phrases you need to survive and feel confident in Cyprus — in shops, cafés, taxis, at work and in everyday conversations.

No grammar stress. Only useful Greek you can use immediately.

Basic polite phrases

Greek Pronunciation English

Γεια σας Ya sas Hello (polite)

Γεια σου Ya sou Hello (friendly)

Παρακαλώ Pa-ra-ka-LO Please / You’re welcome

Ευχαριστώ Ef-ha-ri-STO Thank you

Συγγνώμη See-GNO-mi Sorry / Excuse me

Χαίρω πολύ HE-ro po-LI Nice to meet you

In a café or restaurant

Greek Pronunciation English

Έναν καφέ παρακαλώ EN-an ka-FE pa-ra-ka-LO One coffee please

Με ζάχαρη / Χωρίς ζάχαρη Me ZA-ha-ri / Ho-RIS ZA-ha-ri With sugar / Without sugar

Τον λογαριασμό παρακαλώ Ton lo-ya-ri-AS-mo pa-ra-ka-LO The bill please

Είναι νόστιμο EE-ne NO-sti-mo It’s delicious

In a shop or supermarket

Greek Pronunciation English

Πόσο κάνει; PO-so KA-ni How much is it?

Θέλω αυτό THE-lo af-TO I want this

Έχετε…; E-he-te… Do you have…?

Ευχαριστώ πολύ Ef-ha-ri-STO po-LI Thank you very much

Directions & transport

Greek Pronunciation English

Πού είναι…; POU EE-ne Where is…?

Δεξιά / Αριστερά De-KSIA / A-ri-STE-ra Right / Left

Κοντά / Μακριά Ko-NDA / Ma-kri-A Near / Far

Σταματήστε εδώ Sta-ma-TEE-ste e-DO Stop here

At work & formal situations

Greek Pronunciation English

Μιλάτε αγγλικά; Mi-LA-te an-gli-KA Do you speak English?

Δεν καταλαβαίνω Den ka-ta-la-VE-no I don’t understand

Μπορείτε να επαναλάβετε; Bo-REE-te na e-pa-na-LA-ve-te Can you repeat?

Ευχαριστώ για τη βοήθεια Ef-ha-ri-STO ya ti vo-EE-thi-a Thank you for the help

Important emergency phrases

Greek Pronunciation English

Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια Hri-A-zo-me vo-EE-thi-a I need help

Καλέστε την αστυνομία Ka-LE-ste tin a-sti-no-MI-a Call the police

Χρειάζομαι γιατρό Hri-A-zo-me ya-TRO I need a doctor

Want to speak Greek with confidence?

Learning a few phrases helps.
But real confidence comes when you can build your own sentences and speak naturally.

I offer personalised private Greek lessons in Cyprus and online, designed especially for expats.

👉 Book your free introductory lesson and start speaking Greek faster than you think.