Greek Everyday Particles and Small-Talk Words: Παρακαλώ, Ορίστε, Εντάξει and More
The small, very frequent Greek words that make conversation sound natural: politeness words, fillers, agreement and reactions, with usage notes.
Some of the most important Greek words are the small ones. They fill conversations, signal politeness and show what you think. Learning them early makes your Greek sound much more natural.
Politeness
- Παρακαλώ — please; you're welcome; also "yes?" ("may I help you?")
- Ευχαριστώ — thank you (ευχαριστώ πολύ, thank you very much)
- Συγγνώμη — sorry, excuse me
- Με συγχωρείτε — excuse me (formal)
- Σας παρακαλώ — please (more emphatic and polite)
- Ορίστε — here you are; pardon?; yes, can I help?
- Τίποτα — it's nothing (in reply to thanks)
- Καλή όρεξη! — Enjoy your meal!
- Στην υγειά μας! / Γεια μας! — Cheers!
- Καλή τύχη! — Good luck!
- Καλό ταξίδι! — Have a good trip!
Agreeing and confirming
- Ναι — yes
- Εντάξει — OK, all right
- Βεβαίως / Βέβαια — of course
- Ακριβώς — exactly
- Σωστά — right
- Μάλιστα — certainly (polite, slightly formal)
- Ωραία — nice, good, fine
- Τέλεια — perfect
- Καλά — fine, OK
- Σύμφωνοι — agreed
Disagreeing and hesitating
- Όχι — no
- Δεν νομίζω — I don't think so
- Ίσως — perhaps
- Μάλλον — probably
- Δεν ξέρω — I don't know
- Βέβαια, αλλά ... — Of course, but...
- Λοιπόν — well, so, anyway (a discourse filler)
- Δηλαδή — that is, I mean
- Έτσι — like this, so
- Ξέρεις — you know
Reactions
- Α, ναι! — Oh, yes!
- Αλήθεια; — Really?
- Πράγματι; — Indeed?
- Τι λες! — You don't say!
- Ωχ! — Oops!
- Μπράβο! — Well done!
- Τι κρίμα! — What a pity!
- Δεν πειράζει. — Never mind, it doesn't matter.
- Έλα! — Come on! / Hey! / Really?
- Άντε! — Come on! / Go on!
- Σιγά σιγά. — Slowly, slowly, take it easy.
Greetings and partings
- Γεια σου / Γεια σας — hello, goodbye
- Καλημέρα, καλησπέρα, καληνύχτα
- Τα λέμε — See you (literally "we'll talk")
- Τα λέμε σύντομα. — See you soon.
- Αντίο — goodbye
- Χαίρετε — greetings (formal)
- Καλώς ήρθατε — welcome
- Χρόνια πολλά! — Many happy returns! (birthdays, name days and holidays)
The word "ε"
A short drawn-out ε is a common filler like "er" or "well". Ε, τι να κάνουμε; — Well, what can we do?
Body language
Greeks use gestures widely. Remember that an upward tilt of the head often means "no", and a downward nod means "yes".
Note on register
Some words heard in casual conversation, such as ρε and μωρέ, are informal and carry different tones depending on context and tone of voice. Listen first, and don't use them with strangers or elders until you're sure.
Learning tips
- Learn these words as a set, and use them often.
- Listen to how Greeks react in films and conversation.
- Use παρακαλώ, ευχαριστώ, ορίστε correctly.
- Add fillers gradually: λοιπόν, δηλαδή.
Common mistakes
- Using παρακαλώ only for "please" (it also means "you're welcome").
- Saying ευχαριστώ too flatly; add πολύ.
- Overusing informal fillers.
Look up small Greek words and phrases with English Greek Dictionary →
English Greek Dictionary
Offline English–Greek dictionary with meanings in proper Greek script
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