Modern Greek vocabulary: everyday words and short phrases
96 cards for English-speaking learners of everyday Modern Greek: useful words, articles, stress, short phrases and six noun plurals, with original examples.
About this deck
Practise 96 selected Modern Greek words, short phrases and noun forms for everyday situations. The instructions and explanations are in English; Greek script is primary. Basic familiarity with the Greek alphabet is assumed.
What you recall
- 72 English meanings or situations → a Greek word, noun with its article, or short phrase.
- 18 Greek words or expressions in a short context → their English meaning in that context.
- 6 singular Greek nouns → a plural together with its article.
The six groups contain 16 cards each: contacts, home and family, food and shopping, daily routines, time and place, and getting around. They introduce practical words before related forms. Singular/plural variants are separated by at least three unrelated cards. Long-term spacing is handled by the app's review scheduler. The deck does not automatically reverse every card or try to exhaust all synonyms and senses.
Answers retain Greek stress marks and give one original short example with an English translation. Noun articles are learned with the noun; selected phrases label informal singular versus polite/plural use. The prompts ask for a common model answer, and natural alternatives can be valid when they fit the situation. A short explanation points out a few useful contrasts, including ναι versus English “no”, and the accented question words πού and πώς.
Boundaries
This is selected beginner practice, not a complete A1 syllabus or an examination product. It does not teach the full alphabet, all cases, verb conjugations, listening, handwriting or pronunciation mastery. There is no audio, IPA or romanization; use a suitable audio source alongside the written practice when learning pronunciation. Modern Greek is the scope, not Ancient Greek. Nouns are generally introduced in the nominative; examples can use the form a sentence needs.
Sources and original material
The independently selected situations fit the broad everyday needs described by the Centre for the Greek Language's adult A1 objectives. Selected words and expressions were checked with the Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek; an exhaustive entry-by-entry dictionary check was not completed. These references support language facts, not a claim to cover a certified level.
The prompts, examples, translations, notes, selection and order were written independently with AI assistance. No dictionary definitions, dictionary examples, examination tasks, textbook inventory or private collection was reproduced. The cover is an original AI-generated illustration. The CC0 label applies to original wording, organization, metadata and generated media to the extent applicable rights exist; it does not license the source sites or claim ownership of ordinary language facts. This is independent, unofficial educational material, with no affiliation to or endorsement from the cited organizations.
Cards in this deck
Card 1
Question
Say “hello” to one friend in Modern Greek.
Answer
γεια σου — hello (informal, one person).
Γεια σου, Μαρία! — Hello, Maria!
Use γεια σας for a polite greeting or more than one person.
Card 2
Question
Say “good morning” in Modern Greek.
Answer
καλημέρα — good morning.
Καλημέρα! Τι κάνεις; — Good morning! How are you?
Card 3
Question
Say “thank you” in Modern Greek.
Answer
ευχαριστώ — thank you.
Ευχαριστώ για το νερό. — Thank you for the water.
Card 4
Question
Say “excuse me” or “sorry” in Modern Greek.
Answer
συγγνώμη — excuse me; sorry.
Συγγνώμη, πού είναι η στάση; — Excuse me, where is the bus stop?
Card 5
Question
Modern Greek for “yes”?
Answer
ναι — yes.
Ναι, έχω εισιτήριο. — Yes, I have a ticket.
Ναι means yes; it is not the English word “no.”
Card 6
Question
Greet an unfamiliar adult politely in Modern Greek.
Answer
γεια σας — hello (polite, or more than one person).
Γεια σας, κύριε Νίκο! — Hello, Mr Nikos!
Σας can address one person politely or several people.
Card 7
Question
Modern Greek for “no”?
Answer
όχι — no.
Όχι, δεν θέλω καφέ. — No, I do not want coffee.
Card 8
Question
Ask one person informally, “What is your name?” in Modern Greek.
Answer
Πώς σε λένε; — What is your name? (informal singular).
Γεια σου! Πώς σε λένε; — Hello! What is your name?
The question word πώς carries an accent.
Card 9
Question
Start “My name is …” in Modern Greek.
Answer
Με λένε… — My name is…
Με λένε Άννα. — My name is Anna.
Put your name after the phrase.
Card 10
Question
Say “I don't understand” in Modern Greek.
Answer
Δεν καταλαβαίνω. — I do not understand.
Δεν καταλαβαίνω αυτή τη λέξη. — I do not understand this word.
Card 11
Question
Greek singular noun + article: a male friend.
Answer
ο φίλος — male friend.
Ο φίλος μου μένει εδώ. — My friend lives here.
A female friend is η φίλη.
Card 12
Question
Add “please” to a request in Modern Greek.
Answer
παρακαλώ — please.
Ένα νερό, παρακαλώ. — One water, please.
Παρακαλώ also commonly answers a thank-you: “You're welcome.”
Card 13
Question
Modern Greek meaning: “Χαίρω πολύ.”
Answer
Nice to meet you.
Χαίρω πολύ, κύριε Νίκο. — Nice to meet you, Mr Nikos.
A conventional expression when meeting someone.
Card 14
Question
In “Τα λέμε αύριο”, what does “τα λέμε” mean?
Answer
See you; we'll talk again.
Τα λέμε αύριο! — See you tomorrow!
A casual farewell; it is not a literal instruction to say objects.
Card 15
Question
Modern Greek meaning: “Καληνύχτα!”
Answer
Good night!
Καληνύχτα! Πάω για ύπνο. — Good night! I am going to bed.
Used when parting at night or before sleep.
Card 16
Question
Modern Greek plural + article: ο φίλος (male friend).
Answer
οι φίλοι — male friends; friends in a mixed group.
Οι φίλοι μου είναι εδώ. — My friends are here.
All-female friends: οι φίλες.
Card 17
Question
Greek singular noun + article: house or home.
Answer
το σπίτι — house; home.
Το σπίτι είναι μικρό. — The house is small.
Card 18
Question
Greek singular noun + article: room.
Answer
το δωμάτιο — room.
Το δωμάτιο έχει δύο παράθυρα. — The room has two windows.
Card 19
Question
Greek singular noun + article: door.
Answer
η πόρτα — door.
Η πόρτα είναι ανοιχτή. — The door is open.
Card 20
Question
Greek singular noun + article: key.
Answer
το κλειδί — key.
Το κλειδί είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι. — The key is on the table.
Card 21
Question
Greek singular noun + article: table (furniture).
Answer
το τραπέζι — table.
Το τραπέζι είναι στην κουζίνα. — The table is in the kitchen.
Card 22
Question
Greek singular noun + article: chair.
Answer
η καρέκλα — chair.
Η καρέκλα είναι δίπλα στην πόρτα. — The chair is next to the door.
Card 23
Question
Greek singular noun + article: mother.
Answer
η μητέρα — mother.
Η μητέρα μου δουλεύει σήμερα. — My mother works today.
Μαμά is the everyday familiar word “mum/mom.”
Card 24
Question
Greek singular noun + article: father.
Answer
ο πατέρας — father.
Ο πατέρας μου πίνει καφέ. — My father is drinking coffee.
Μπαμπάς is the familiar word “dad.”
Card 25
Question
Greek singular noun + article: child.
Answer
το παιδί — child.
Το παιδί διαβάζει ένα βιβλίο. — The child is reading a book.
Card 26
Question
Greek singular noun + article: family.
Answer
η οικογένεια — family.
Η οικογένειά μου μένει στην Αθήνα. — My family lives in Athens.
The extra accent in οικογένειά μου belongs to the written phrase with μου.
Card 27
Question
Greek singular noun + article: window.
Answer
το παράθυρο — window.
Το παράθυρο είναι κλειστό. — The window is closed.
Card 28
Question
Greek singular noun + article: bed.
Answer
το κρεβάτι — bed.
Το βιβλίο είναι πάνω στο κρεβάτι. — The book is on the bed.
Card 29
Question
In “Μένω στο κέντρο”, what does “μένω” mean?
Answer
I live; I reside.
Μένω στο κέντρο. — I live in the centre.
Here μένω describes where someone lives; in other contexts it can mean stay/remain.
Card 30
Question
In “Η κουζίνα είναι δίπλα στο σαλόνι”, what is “η κουζίνα”?
Answer
The kitchen.
Η κουζίνα είναι δίπλα στο σαλόνι. — The kitchen is next to the living room.
Κουζίνα can also mean a cooker or cuisine in other contexts.
Card 31
Question
In “Το μπάνιο είναι καθαρό”, what is “το μπάνιο”?
Answer
The bathroom.
Το μπάνιο είναι καθαρό. — The bathroom is clean.
Μπάνιο can also refer to bathing, depending on context.
Card 32
Question
Modern Greek plural + article: το παιδί (child).
Answer
τα παιδιά — children.
Τα παιδιά παίζουν στο σπίτι. — The children are playing at home.
Card 33
Question
Greek noun + article: water.
Answer
το νερό — water.
Το νερό είναι κρύο. — The water is cold.
Card 34
Question
Greek noun + article: bread.
Answer
το ψωμί — bread.
Το ψωμί είναι φρέσκο. — The bread is fresh.
Card 35
Question
Greek singular noun + article: coffee.
Answer
ο καφές — coffee.
Ο καφές είναι ζεστός. — The coffee is hot.
Card 36
Question
Greek noun + article: milk.
Answer
το γάλα — milk.
Το γάλα είναι στο ψυγείο. — The milk is in the fridge.
Card 37
Question
Greek singular noun + article: apple.
Answer
το μήλο — apple.
Το μήλο είναι κόκκινο. — The apple is red.
Card 38
Question
Greek singular noun + article: orange (the fruit).
Answer
το πορτοκάλι — orange (fruit).
Το πορτοκάλι είναι γλυκό. — The orange is sweet.
Card 39
Question
Greek noun + article: cheese.
Answer
το τυρί — cheese.
Το τυρί είναι στο πιάτο. — The cheese is on the plate.
Card 40
Question
Greek noun + article: rice.
Answer
το ρύζι — rice.
Το ρύζι είναι έτοιμο. — The rice is ready.
Card 41
Question
Ask the price of one item: “How much is it?” in Modern Greek.
Answer
Πόσο κάνει; — How much is it?
Αυτό το μήλο, πόσο κάνει; — How much is this apple?
For several items, πόσο κάνουν; is a common plural form.
Card 42
Question
Begin a polite request: “I would like …” in Modern Greek.
Answer
Θα ήθελα… — I would like…
Θα ήθελα έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ. — I would like a coffee, please.
A useful request chunk; this deck does not teach the full conditional system.
Card 43
Question
Greek singular noun + article: bill (at a café or restaurant).
Answer
ο λογαριασμός — bill; account.
Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ. — The bill, please.
The request uses the accusative τον λογαριασμό.
Card 44
Question
Say “I pay by card” in Modern Greek.
Answer
Πληρώνω με κάρτα. — I pay by card.
Πληρώνω με κάρτα, όχι με μετρητά. — I pay by card, not with cash.
Card 45
Question
In “Θέλω ένα νερό”, what does “θέλω” mean?
Answer
I want.
Θέλω ένα νερό. — I want a water.
Ένα νερό can mean one serving/bottle of water in an ordering context.
Card 46
Question
In “Λίγο γάλα, παρακαλώ”, what does “λίγο” mean?
Answer
A little; a small amount of.
Λίγο γάλα, παρακαλώ. — A little milk, please.
Card 47
Question
In “καφές χωρίς ζάχαρη”, what does “χωρίς” mean?
Answer
Without.
Ο καφές είναι χωρίς ζάχαρη. — The coffee is without sugar.
Card 48
Question
Modern Greek plural + article: το μήλο (apple).
Answer
τα μήλα — apples.
Τα μήλα είναι στο τραπέζι. — The apples are on the table.
Card 49
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I eat” (present, first person).
Answer
τρώω — I eat; I am eating.
Τρώω ένα μήλο. — I am eating an apple.
Card 50
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I drink” (present, first person).
Answer
πίνω — I drink; I am drinking.
Πίνω νερό. — I am drinking water.
Card 51
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I work” (present, first person).
Answer
δουλεύω — I work; I am working.
Δουλεύω στο κέντρο. — I work in the centre.
Card 52
Question
Modern Greek verb for “I study/read for class” (present, first person).
Answer
διαβάζω — I study; I read.
Διαβάζω το μάθημα. — I am studying the lesson.
Διαβάζω also means read. The context specifies studying.
Card 53
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I go” (present, first person; use the longer common form).
Answer
πηγαίνω — I go; I am going.
Πηγαίνω στο σπίτι. — I am going home.
Πάω is also a common everyday form.
Card 54
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I come” (present, first person).
Answer
έρχομαι — I come; I am coming.
Έρχομαι αύριο. — I am coming tomorrow.
Card 55
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I see” (present, first person).
Answer
βλέπω — I see; I am seeing.
Βλέπω το λεωφορείο. — I see the bus.
Card 56
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I hear/listen” (present, first person).
Answer
ακούω — I hear; I listen.
Ακούω μουσική. — I am listening to music.
Card 57
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I buy” (present, first person).
Answer
αγοράζω — I buy; I am buying.
Αγοράζω ψωμί. — I am buying bread.
Card 58
Question
Modern Greek verb: “I need” (present, first person).
Answer
χρειάζομαι — I need.
Χρειάζομαι ένα εισιτήριο. — I need a ticket.
Card 59
Question
Greek singular noun + article: telephone.
Answer
το τηλέφωνο — telephone; phone.
Το τηλέφωνο είναι εδώ. — The phone is here.
Card 60
Question
Greek singular noun + article: book.
Answer
το βιβλίο — book.
Το βιβλίο είναι καινούριο. — The book is new.
Card 61
Question
In “Ανοίγω την πόρτα”, what does “ανοίγω” mean?
Answer
I open; I am opening.
Ανοίγω την πόρτα. — I am opening the door.
Card 62
Question
In “Κλείνω το παράθυρο”, what does “κλείνω” mean?
Answer
I close; I am closing.
Κλείνω το παράθυρο. — I am closing the window.
Card 63
Question
In “Περιμένω εδώ”, what does “περιμένω” mean?
Answer
I wait; I am waiting.
Περιμένω εδώ. — I am waiting here.
Card 64
Question
Modern Greek plural + article: το βιβλίο (book).
Answer
τα βιβλία — books.
Τα βιβλία είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι. — The books are on the table.
Card 65
Question
Modern Greek for “today”?
Answer
σήμερα — today.
Σήμερα δουλεύω. — I am working today.
Card 66
Question
Modern Greek for “tomorrow”?
Answer
αύριο — tomorrow.
Αύριο πηγαίνω στο κέντρο. — Tomorrow I am going to the centre.
Card 67
Question
Modern Greek for “yesterday” (common everyday form)?
Answer
χτες — yesterday.
Χτες ήμουν στο σπίτι. — Yesterday I was at home.
Χθες is also correct.
Card 68
Question
Modern Greek for “now”?
Answer
τώρα — now.
Τώρα διαβάζω. — I am reading now.
Card 69
Question
Modern Greek for “here”?
Answer
εδώ — here.
Το κλειδί είναι εδώ. — The key is here.
Card 70
Question
Modern Greek for “there”?
Answer
εκεί — there.
Το λεωφορείο είναι εκεί. — The bus is there.
Card 71
Question
Greek noun + article: morning.
Answer
το πρωί — morning.
Το πρωί πίνω καφέ. — I drink coffee in the morning.
Card 72
Question
Greek noun + article: evening or night-time.
Answer
το βράδυ — evening; night-time.
Το βράδυ διαβάζω. — I read in the evening.
Card 73
Question
Greek singular noun + article: day (common everyday form).
Answer
η μέρα — day.
Η μέρα είναι όμορφη. — The day is beautiful.
Η ημέρα is also correct.
Card 74
Question
Greek singular noun + article: hour.
Answer
η ώρα — hour; time.
Περιμένω μία ώρα. — I wait for one hour.
Card 75
Question
Modern Greek question word: “where?”
Answer
πού — where?
Πού είναι η πόρτα; — Where is the door?
The question word πού carries an accent; the relative που does not.
Card 76
Question
Modern Greek question word: “when?”
Answer
πότε — when?
Πότε έρχεσαι; — When are you coming?
Card 77
Question
In “Σήμερα το κατάστημα ανοίγει αργά”, what does “αργά” mean?
Answer
Late.
Σήμερα το κατάστημα ανοίγει αργά. — The shop opens late today.
Αργά can also mean slowly; the context here is opening time.
Card 78
Question
In “Το σχολείο είναι μακριά”, what does “μακριά” mean?
Answer
Far away.
Το σχολείο είναι μακριά. — The school is far away.
Card 79
Question
In “Η στάση είναι κοντά”, what does “κοντά” mean?
Answer
Near; nearby.
Η στάση είναι κοντά. — The bus stop is nearby.
Card 80
Question
Modern Greek plural + article: η μέρα (day).
Answer
οι μέρες — days.
Οι μέρες είναι μεγάλες το καλοκαίρι. — The days are long in summer.
Οι ημέρες is also correct.
Card 81
Question
Greek singular noun + article: road or street.
Answer
ο δρόμος — road; street.
Ο δρόμος είναι ήσυχος. — The street is quiet.
Card 82
Question
Greek singular noun + article: bus.
Answer
το λεωφορείο — bus.
Το λεωφορείο είναι γεμάτο. — The bus is full.
Card 83
Question
Greek singular noun + article: ticket.
Answer
το εισιτήριο — ticket.
Έχω ένα εισιτήριο. — I have a ticket.
Card 84
Question
Greek singular noun + article: station.
Answer
ο σταθμός — station.
Ο σταθμός είναι κοντά. — The station is nearby.
Card 85
Question
Greek singular noun + article: bus stop.
Answer
η στάση — stop (for a bus, etc.).
Περιμένω στη στάση. — I am waiting at the bus stop.
Card 86
Question
Greek singular noun + article: train.
Answer
το τρένο — train.
Το τρένο φεύγει τώρα. — The train is leaving now.
Card 87
Question
Greek singular noun + article: airport.
Answer
το αεροδρόμιο — airport.
Το αεροδρόμιο είναι μακριά. — The airport is far away.
Card 88
Question
Greek singular noun + article: pharmacy.
Answer
το φαρμακείο — pharmacy.
Το φαρμακείο είναι ανοιχτό. — The pharmacy is open.
Card 89
Question
Greek singular noun + article: hospital.
Answer
το νοσοκομείο — hospital.
Το νοσοκομείο είναι στο κέντρο. — The hospital is in the centre.
Card 90
Question
Modern Greek direction: “to the left”.
Answer
αριστερά — to the left; on the left.
Η στάση είναι αριστερά. — The bus stop is on the left.
Card 91
Question
Modern Greek direction: “to the right”.
Answer
δεξιά — to the right; on the right.
Το φαρμακείο είναι δεξιά. — The pharmacy is on the right.
Card 92
Question
Modern Greek direction: “straight ahead”.
Answer
ευθεία — straight ahead.
Πηγαίνετε ευθεία. — Go straight ahead.
Πηγαίνετε addresses someone politely or more than one person.
Card 93
Question
In “Το φαρμακείο είναι απέναντι”, what does “απέναντι” mean?
Answer
Opposite; across the way.
Το φαρμακείο είναι απέναντι. — The pharmacy is opposite.
The exact opposite location depends on where the speakers are.
Card 94
Question
In “Η είσοδος είναι εδώ”, what is “η είσοδος”?
Answer
The entrance.
Η είσοδος είναι εδώ. — The entrance is here.
Card 95
Question
In “Η έξοδος είναι εκεί”, what is “η έξοδος”?
Answer
The exit.
Η έξοδος είναι εκεί. — The exit is there.
Card 96
Question
Modern Greek plural + article: το εισιτήριο (ticket).
Answer
τα εισιτήρια — tickets.
Τα εισιτήρια είναι στην τσάντα. — The tickets are in the bag.
96 cards
Modern Greek vocabulary: everyday words and short phrases
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