Useful Greek phrases for your Santorini holiday
A few words can make an everyday exchange warmer, even when the rest of the conversation is in English. Start with a greeting and thank you. The pronunciation notes below are approximations to help you begin, rather than a formal transcription system.
On this page
Greetings and polite words
Use a greeting when entering a small shop, a café or a reception area. Yia sas is a useful polite hello to someone you do not know or to a group. You do not need a long speech: a short greeting followed by a clear question is enough.
| English | Greek | Approximate pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / goodbye (polite) | Γεια σας | YAH sas |
| Good morning | Καλημέρα | ka-lee-MEH-ra |
| Good evening | Καλησπέρα | ka-lee-SPEH-ra |
| Good night | Καληνύχτα | ka-lee-NEEKH-ta |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ | ef-kha-rees-TOH |
| Please / you’re welcome | Παρακαλώ | pa-ra-ka-LOH |
| Excuse me / sorry | Συγγνώμη | see-GHNO-mee |
| Yes | Ναι | neh |
| No | Όχι | OH-khee |
| Cheers | Στην υγειά μας | steen yee-AH mas |
At a café or taverna
A gesture towards a menu item can help when you are trying a new word. If an ingredient or allergy matters, do not rely on a phrase remembered imperfectly. Ask the staff to confirm the detail clearly, and use a written explanation or translation you trust when needed.
| English | Greek | Approximate pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Νερό | neh-ROH |
| Coffee | Καφές | ka-FEHS |
| Bread | Ψωμί | psoh-MEE |
| The menu, please | Τον κατάλογο, παρακαλώ | ton ka-TA-lo-gho pa-ra-ka-LOH |
| The bill, please | Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | ton lo-gha-ree-az-MOH pa-ra-ka-LOH |
| How much is it? | Πόσο κάνει; | POH-so KA-nee |
| Delicious | Νόστιμο | NO-stee-mo |
Getting around and asking for help
Place names are sometimes written differently in English. Thira, Thera and Santorini can refer to the island in different contexts; Fira is the capital. Show your accommodation’s exact map location and written address when arranging a ride, rather than relying only on your pronunciation of a village name.
For a ferry or cruise transfer, specify the actual arrival point. The words for port do not tell a driver whether you mean Athinios, the Old Port below Fira or another harbour.
| English | Greek | Approximate pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | Πού είναι…; | poo EE-neh |
| Bus | Λεωφορείο | leh-oh-foh-REE-oh |
| Taxi | Ταξί | tak-SEE |
| Airport | Αεροδρόμιο | ah-eh-roh-DROH-mee-oh |
| Port | Λιμάνι | lee-MAH-nee |
| Ticket | Εισιτήριο | ee-see-TEE-ree-oh |
| I don’t understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω | then ka-ta-la-VEH-no |
| Do you speak English? | Μιλάτε αγγλικά; | mee-LAH-teh an-glee-KAH |
Keep important arrangements clear
Language practice should make a conversation easier, not leave a booking uncertain. Write dates, passenger numbers, the service requested and the agreed meeting point. Read a confirmation carefully and ask for clarification if you and the provider appear to be discussing different things.
A polite attempt is welcome, but it is also fine to ask to continue in English. For formal, medical, legal or contractual information, use a qualified interpreter or the responsible organisation where appropriate rather than treating this short holiday list as a complete translation resource.
Common questions
- Does nai mean no?
- No. Greek nai means yes. The Greek word for no is óchi.
- What is a useful first phrase?
- Kaliméra for good morning and efcharistó for thank you are useful everyday starting points.