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Topics · BEGINNER COURSE · LESSON 4

Greetings

Χαιρετισμοί

Say hello, ask how someone is, and say goodbye.

Explanation + practice

1. Saying hello

Greek English When to use it
Γεια σου! Hello! / Hi! To one person informally
Γεια σας! Hello! To several people, or one person politely
Καλημέρα! Good morning! In the morning
Καλησπέρα! Good afternoon! / Good evening! In the afternoon or evening

Learn Γεια σου and Γεια σας as whole expressions. They can also mean “bye.”

2. Asking how someone is

  • πώς — how
  • ευχαριστώ — thank you
  • πολύ — very
Greek English
Πώς είσαι; How are you? (One person, informal.)
Πώς είστε; How are you? (Several people, or one person politely.)
Είμαι καλά. I’m fine.
Καλά, ευχαριστώ. Fine, thank you.
Πολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ. Very well, thank you.
Εσύ; And you? (One person, informal.)
Εσείς; And you? (Several people, or one person politely.)

3. Saying goodbye

Greek English
Αντίο! Goodbye!
Καλό βράδυ! Have a good evening!
Καληνύχτα! Good night!

Use Καλησπέρα when greeting someone. Use Καλό βράδυ when leaving, and Καληνύχτα when saying goodbye late at night or before bed.

4. Practice exercises

Translate into Greek. Address one person informally unless otherwise indicated.

  1. Good morning! How are you?

  2. Good afternoon! How are you? (To one person politely.)

  3. Fine, thank you. And you?

  4. Very well, thank you. And you? (To several people.)

  5. Hello! Are you ready? (To one woman.)

  6. Good evening! I’m fine, thank you.

  7. Goodbye! Have a good evening!

  8. Goodbye! Good night!

  9. Good morning! We are here.

  10. Hello! How are you? (To several people.)

Show answers

Suggested answers; other natural combinations may also be possible.

  1. Καλημέρα! Πώς είσαι;
  2. Καλησπέρα! Πώς είστε;
  3. Καλά, ευχαριστώ. Εσύ;
  4. Πολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ. Εσείς;
  5. Γεια σου! Είσαι έτοιμη;
  6. Καλησπέρα! Είμαι καλά, ευχαριστώ.
  7. Αντίο! Καλό βράδυ!
  8. Αντίο! Καληνύχτα!
  9. Καλημέρα! Είμαστε εδώ.
  10. Γεια σας! Πώς είστε;