Language

While Greek is the main language used in Athens, most Athenians speak English and those in the hospitality industry are likely to speak French and German too. Signage, menus and transportation signs are written in English and in Greek. It is always fun, of course, to try and communicate in Greek. Why not give it a try?

Here are some tips to get you started:

GOOD MORNING - KALIMERA
GOOD EVENING- KALISPERA
WHERE IS THE - POU EINAI TO ...
HELLO - YASOU
GOODBYE - ADIO
HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST?-POSO KOSTIZI?
WATER-NERO
YES-NAI
NO-OHI
TAXI-TAXI
BUS- LEOFORIO
METRO-METRO
(BUS, METRO, TRAIN) STOP - STASI
ELECTRIC RAILWAY - ELECTRIKOS

TRAIN-TRAINO
I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER - THA ITHELA NA PARAGEILO
BEACH-PARALIA
UMBRELLA-OMBRELLA
LOUNGE CHAIR- XAPLOSTRA
HOTEL-XENODOXEIO
WINE-KRASI
PLEASE - PARAKALO
SORRY - SIGNOMI
THANK YOU - EFXARISTO
I DON'T UNDERSTAND - DEN KATALAVENO
I DON'T KNOW - DEN KSERO
WHERE'S THE BATHROOM - POU INAI I TUALETA
BEER - BIRA
MILK - GALA
HELP- VOITHIA

Greek language in history:

The Greek language has influenced hundreds of languages in the world including 12% of the English vocabulary. The Greek language is also the basis for thousands of terms used in science, mathematics and technology.

The conquests of Alexander the Great (approximately 336-323 B.C.) spread the Greek language and culture to the native peoples of the East who adopted it as a second language. Known as the Hellenistic Koine or (common) language, it later became the official language of the entire eastern part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

When Greece was liberated in 1830, two different versions existed: the demotic or colloquial language and katharevousa, or the purist language. In 1976, the Greek government adopted the demotic language (with several katharevousa elements) as the official language.