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.

Sellest kaardipakist

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.

Selle kaardipaki kaardid

  1. Kaart 1

    Küsimus

    Say “hello” to one friend in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    γεια σου — hello (informal, one person).

    Γεια σου, Μαρία! — Hello, Maria!

    Use γεια σας for a polite greeting or more than one person.

  2. Kaart 2

    Küsimus

    Say “good morning” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    καλημέρα — good morning.

    Καλημέρα! Τι κάνεις; — Good morning! How are you?

  3. Kaart 3

    Küsimus

    Say “thank you” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    ευχαριστώ — thank you.

    Ευχαριστώ για το νερό. — Thank you for the water.

  4. Kaart 4

    Küsimus

    Say “excuse me” or “sorry” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    συγγνώμη — excuse me; sorry.

    Συγγνώμη, πού είναι η στάση; — Excuse me, where is the bus stop?

  5. Kaart 5

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek for “yes”?

    Vastus

    ναι — yes.

    Ναι, έχω εισιτήριο. — Yes, I have a ticket.

    Ναι means yes; it is not the English word “no.”

  6. Kaart 6

    Küsimus

    Greet an unfamiliar adult politely in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    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.

  7. Kaart 7

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek for “no”?

    Vastus

    όχι — no.

    Όχι, δεν θέλω καφέ. — No, I do not want coffee.

  8. Kaart 8

    Küsimus

    Ask one person informally, “What is your name?” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    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.

  9. Kaart 9

    Küsimus

    Start “My name is …” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    Με λένε… — My name is…

    Με λένε Άννα. — My name is Anna.

    Put your name after the phrase.

  10. Kaart 10

    Küsimus

    Say “I don't understand” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    Δεν καταλαβαίνω. — I do not understand.

    Δεν καταλαβαίνω αυτή τη λέξη. — I do not understand this word.

  11. Kaart 11

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: a male friend.

    Vastus

    ο φίλος — male friend.

    Ο φίλος μου μένει εδώ. — My friend lives here.

    A female friend is η φίλη.

  12. Kaart 12

    Küsimus

    Add “please” to a request in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    παρακαλώ — please.

    Ένα νερό, παρακαλώ. — One water, please.

    Παρακαλώ also commonly answers a thank-you: “You're welcome.”

  13. Kaart 13

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek meaning: “Χαίρω πολύ.”

    Vastus

    Nice to meet you.

    Χαίρω πολύ, κύριε Νίκο. — Nice to meet you, Mr Nikos.

    A conventional expression when meeting someone.

  14. Kaart 14

    Küsimus

    In “Τα λέμε αύριο”, what does “τα λέμε” mean?

    Vastus

    See you; we'll talk again.

    Τα λέμε αύριο! — See you tomorrow!

    A casual farewell; it is not a literal instruction to say objects.

  15. Kaart 15

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek meaning: “Καληνύχτα!”

    Vastus

    Good night!

    Καληνύχτα! Πάω για ύπνο. — Good night! I am going to bed.

    Used when parting at night or before sleep.

  16. Kaart 16

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek plural + article: ο φίλος (male friend).

    Vastus

    οι φίλοι — male friends; friends in a mixed group.

    Οι φίλοι μου είναι εδώ. — My friends are here.

    All-female friends: οι φίλες.

  17. Kaart 17

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: house or home.

    Vastus

    το σπίτι — house; home.

    Το σπίτι είναι μικρό. — The house is small.

  18. Kaart 18

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: room.

    Vastus

    το δωμάτιο — room.

    Το δωμάτιο έχει δύο παράθυρα. — The room has two windows.

  19. Kaart 19

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: door.

    Vastus

    η πόρτα — door.

    Η πόρτα είναι ανοιχτή. — The door is open.

  20. Kaart 20

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: key.

    Vastus

    το κλειδί — key.

    Το κλειδί είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι. — The key is on the table.

  21. Kaart 21

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: table (furniture).

    Vastus

    το τραπέζι — table.

    Το τραπέζι είναι στην κουζίνα. — The table is in the kitchen.

  22. Kaart 22

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: chair.

    Vastus

    η καρέκλα — chair.

    Η καρέκλα είναι δίπλα στην πόρτα. — The chair is next to the door.

  23. Kaart 23

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: mother.

    Vastus

    η μητέρα — mother.

    Η μητέρα μου δουλεύει σήμερα. — My mother works today.

    Μαμά is the everyday familiar word “mum/mom.”

  24. Kaart 24

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: father.

    Vastus

    ο πατέρας — father.

    Ο πατέρας μου πίνει καφέ. — My father is drinking coffee.

    Μπαμπάς is the familiar word “dad.”

  25. Kaart 25

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: child.

    Vastus

    το παιδί — child.

    Το παιδί διαβάζει ένα βιβλίο. — The child is reading a book.

  26. Kaart 26

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: family.

    Vastus

    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.

  27. Kaart 27

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: window.

    Vastus

    το παράθυρο — window.

    Το παράθυρο είναι κλειστό. — The window is closed.

  28. Kaart 28

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: bed.

    Vastus

    το κρεβάτι — bed.

    Το βιβλίο είναι πάνω στο κρεβάτι. — The book is on the bed.

  29. Kaart 29

    Küsimus

    In “Μένω στο κέντρο”, what does “μένω” mean?

    Vastus

    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.

  30. Kaart 30

    Küsimus

    In “Η κουζίνα είναι δίπλα στο σαλόνι”, what is “η κουζίνα”?

    Vastus

    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.

  31. Kaart 31

    Küsimus

    In “Το μπάνιο είναι καθαρό”, what is “το μπάνιο”?

    Vastus

    The bathroom.

    Το μπάνιο είναι καθαρό. — The bathroom is clean.

    Μπάνιο can also refer to bathing, depending on context.

  32. Kaart 32

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek plural + article: το παιδί (child).

    Vastus

    τα παιδιά — children.

    Τα παιδιά παίζουν στο σπίτι. — The children are playing at home.

  33. Kaart 33

    Küsimus

    Greek noun + article: water.

    Vastus

    το νερό — water.

    Το νερό είναι κρύο. — The water is cold.

  34. Kaart 34

    Küsimus

    Greek noun + article: bread.

    Vastus

    το ψωμί — bread.

    Το ψωμί είναι φρέσκο. — The bread is fresh.

  35. Kaart 35

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: coffee.

    Vastus

    ο καφές — coffee.

    Ο καφές είναι ζεστός. — The coffee is hot.

  36. Kaart 36

    Küsimus

    Greek noun + article: milk.

    Vastus

    το γάλα — milk.

    Το γάλα είναι στο ψυγείο. — The milk is in the fridge.

  37. Kaart 37

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: apple.

    Vastus

    το μήλο — apple.

    Το μήλο είναι κόκκινο. — The apple is red.

  38. Kaart 38

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: orange (the fruit).

    Vastus

    το πορτοκάλι — orange (fruit).

    Το πορτοκάλι είναι γλυκό. — The orange is sweet.

  39. Kaart 39

    Küsimus

    Greek noun + article: cheese.

    Vastus

    το τυρί — cheese.

    Το τυρί είναι στο πιάτο. — The cheese is on the plate.

  40. Kaart 40

    Küsimus

    Greek noun + article: rice.

    Vastus

    το ρύζι — rice.

    Το ρύζι είναι έτοιμο. — The rice is ready.

  41. Kaart 41

    Küsimus

    Ask the price of one item: “How much is it?” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    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.

  42. Kaart 42

    Küsimus

    Begin a polite request: “I would like …” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    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.

  43. Kaart 43

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: bill (at a café or restaurant).

    Vastus

    ο λογαριασμός — bill; account.

    Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ. — The bill, please.

    The request uses the accusative τον λογαριασμό.

  44. Kaart 44

    Küsimus

    Say “I pay by card” in Modern Greek.

    Vastus

    Πληρώνω με κάρτα. — I pay by card.

    Πληρώνω με κάρτα, όχι με μετρητά. — I pay by card, not with cash.

  45. Kaart 45

    Küsimus

    In “Θέλω ένα νερό”, what does “θέλω” mean?

    Vastus

    I want.

    Θέλω ένα νερό. — I want a water.

    Ένα νερό can mean one serving/bottle of water in an ordering context.

  46. Kaart 46

    Küsimus

    In “Λίγο γάλα, παρακαλώ”, what does “λίγο” mean?

    Vastus

    A little; a small amount of.

    Λίγο γάλα, παρακαλώ. — A little milk, please.

  47. Kaart 47

    Küsimus

    In “καφές χωρίς ζάχαρη”, what does “χωρίς” mean?

    Vastus

    Without.

    Ο καφές είναι χωρίς ζάχαρη. — The coffee is without sugar.

  48. Kaart 48

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek plural + article: το μήλο (apple).

    Vastus

    τα μήλα — apples.

    Τα μήλα είναι στο τραπέζι. — The apples are on the table.

  49. Kaart 49

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I eat” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    τρώω — I eat; I am eating.

    Τρώω ένα μήλο. — I am eating an apple.

  50. Kaart 50

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I drink” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    πίνω — I drink; I am drinking.

    Πίνω νερό. — I am drinking water.

  51. Kaart 51

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I work” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    δουλεύω — I work; I am working.

    Δουλεύω στο κέντρο. — I work in the centre.

  52. Kaart 52

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb for “I study/read for class” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    διαβάζω — I study; I read.

    Διαβάζω το μάθημα. — I am studying the lesson.

    Διαβάζω also means read. The context specifies studying.

  53. Kaart 53

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I go” (present, first person; use the longer common form).

    Vastus

    πηγαίνω — I go; I am going.

    Πηγαίνω στο σπίτι. — I am going home.

    Πάω is also a common everyday form.

  54. Kaart 54

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I come” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    έρχομαι — I come; I am coming.

    Έρχομαι αύριο. — I am coming tomorrow.

  55. Kaart 55

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I see” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    βλέπω — I see; I am seeing.

    Βλέπω το λεωφορείο. — I see the bus.

  56. Kaart 56

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I hear/listen” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    ακούω — I hear; I listen.

    Ακούω μουσική. — I am listening to music.

  57. Kaart 57

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I buy” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    αγοράζω — I buy; I am buying.

    Αγοράζω ψωμί. — I am buying bread.

  58. Kaart 58

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek verb: “I need” (present, first person).

    Vastus

    χρειάζομαι — I need.

    Χρειάζομαι ένα εισιτήριο. — I need a ticket.

  59. Kaart 59

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: telephone.

    Vastus

    το τηλέφωνο — telephone; phone.

    Το τηλέφωνο είναι εδώ. — The phone is here.

  60. Kaart 60

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: book.

    Vastus

    το βιβλίο — book.

    Το βιβλίο είναι καινούριο. — The book is new.

  61. Kaart 61

    Küsimus

    In “Ανοίγω την πόρτα”, what does “ανοίγω” mean?

    Vastus

    I open; I am opening.

    Ανοίγω την πόρτα. — I am opening the door.

  62. Kaart 62

    Küsimus

    In “Κλείνω το παράθυρο”, what does “κλείνω” mean?

    Vastus

    I close; I am closing.

    Κλείνω το παράθυρο. — I am closing the window.

  63. Kaart 63

    Küsimus

    In “Περιμένω εδώ”, what does “περιμένω” mean?

    Vastus

    I wait; I am waiting.

    Περιμένω εδώ. — I am waiting here.

  64. Kaart 64

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek plural + article: το βιβλίο (book).

    Vastus

    τα βιβλία — books.

    Τα βιβλία είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι. — The books are on the table.

  65. Kaart 65

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek for “today”?

    Vastus

    σήμερα — today.

    Σήμερα δουλεύω. — I am working today.

  66. Kaart 66

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek for “tomorrow”?

    Vastus

    αύριο — tomorrow.

    Αύριο πηγαίνω στο κέντρο. — Tomorrow I am going to the centre.

  67. Kaart 67

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek for “yesterday” (common everyday form)?

    Vastus

    χτες — yesterday.

    Χτες ήμουν στο σπίτι. — Yesterday I was at home.

    Χθες is also correct.

  68. Kaart 68

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek for “now”?

    Vastus

    τώρα — now.

    Τώρα διαβάζω. — I am reading now.

  69. Kaart 69

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek for “here”?

    Vastus

    εδώ — here.

    Το κλειδί είναι εδώ. — The key is here.

  70. Kaart 70

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek for “there”?

    Vastus

    εκεί — there.

    Το λεωφορείο είναι εκεί. — The bus is there.

  71. Kaart 71

    Küsimus

    Greek noun + article: morning.

    Vastus

    το πρωί — morning.

    Το πρωί πίνω καφέ. — I drink coffee in the morning.

  72. Kaart 72

    Küsimus

    Greek noun + article: evening or night-time.

    Vastus

    το βράδυ — evening; night-time.

    Το βράδυ διαβάζω. — I read in the evening.

  73. Kaart 73

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: day (common everyday form).

    Vastus

    η μέρα — day.

    Η μέρα είναι όμορφη. — The day is beautiful.

    Η ημέρα is also correct.

  74. Kaart 74

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: hour.

    Vastus

    η ώρα — hour; time.

    Περιμένω μία ώρα. — I wait for one hour.

  75. Kaart 75

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek question word: “where?”

    Vastus

    πού — where?

    Πού είναι η πόρτα; — Where is the door?

    The question word πού carries an accent; the relative που does not.

  76. Kaart 76

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek question word: “when?”

    Vastus

    πότε — when?

    Πότε έρχεσαι; — When are you coming?

  77. Kaart 77

    Küsimus

    In “Σήμερα το κατάστημα ανοίγει αργά”, what does “αργά” mean?

    Vastus

    Late.

    Σήμερα το κατάστημα ανοίγει αργά. — The shop opens late today.

    Αργά can also mean slowly; the context here is opening time.

  78. Kaart 78

    Küsimus

    In “Το σχολείο είναι μακριά”, what does “μακριά” mean?

    Vastus

    Far away.

    Το σχολείο είναι μακριά. — The school is far away.

  79. Kaart 79

    Küsimus

    In “Η στάση είναι κοντά”, what does “κοντά” mean?

    Vastus

    Near; nearby.

    Η στάση είναι κοντά. — The bus stop is nearby.

  80. Kaart 80

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek plural + article: η μέρα (day).

    Vastus

    οι μέρες — days.

    Οι μέρες είναι μεγάλες το καλοκαίρι. — The days are long in summer.

    Οι ημέρες is also correct.

  81. Kaart 81

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: road or street.

    Vastus

    ο δρόμος — road; street.

    Ο δρόμος είναι ήσυχος. — The street is quiet.

  82. Kaart 82

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: bus.

    Vastus

    το λεωφορείο — bus.

    Το λεωφορείο είναι γεμάτο. — The bus is full.

  83. Kaart 83

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: ticket.

    Vastus

    το εισιτήριο — ticket.

    Έχω ένα εισιτήριο. — I have a ticket.

  84. Kaart 84

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: station.

    Vastus

    ο σταθμός — station.

    Ο σταθμός είναι κοντά. — The station is nearby.

  85. Kaart 85

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: bus stop.

    Vastus

    η στάση — stop (for a bus, etc.).

    Περιμένω στη στάση. — I am waiting at the bus stop.

  86. Kaart 86

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: train.

    Vastus

    το τρένο — train.

    Το τρένο φεύγει τώρα. — The train is leaving now.

  87. Kaart 87

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: airport.

    Vastus

    το αεροδρόμιο — airport.

    Το αεροδρόμιο είναι μακριά. — The airport is far away.

  88. Kaart 88

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: pharmacy.

    Vastus

    το φαρμακείο — pharmacy.

    Το φαρμακείο είναι ανοιχτό. — The pharmacy is open.

  89. Kaart 89

    Küsimus

    Greek singular noun + article: hospital.

    Vastus

    το νοσοκομείο — hospital.

    Το νοσοκομείο είναι στο κέντρο. — The hospital is in the centre.

  90. Kaart 90

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek direction: “to the left”.

    Vastus

    αριστερά — to the left; on the left.

    Η στάση είναι αριστερά. — The bus stop is on the left.

  91. Kaart 91

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek direction: “to the right”.

    Vastus

    δεξιά — to the right; on the right.

    Το φαρμακείο είναι δεξιά. — The pharmacy is on the right.

  92. Kaart 92

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek direction: “straight ahead”.

    Vastus

    ευθεία — straight ahead.

    Πηγαίνετε ευθεία. — Go straight ahead.

    Πηγαίνετε addresses someone politely or more than one person.

  93. Kaart 93

    Küsimus

    In “Το φαρμακείο είναι απέναντι”, what does “απέναντι” mean?

    Vastus

    Opposite; across the way.

    Το φαρμακείο είναι απέναντι. — The pharmacy is opposite.

    The exact opposite location depends on where the speakers are.

  94. Kaart 94

    Küsimus

    In “Η είσοδος είναι εδώ”, what is “η είσοδος”?

    Vastus

    The entrance.

    Η είσοδος είναι εδώ. — The entrance is here.

  95. Kaart 95

    Küsimus

    In “Η έξοδος είναι εκεί”, what is “η έξοδος”?

    Vastus

    The exit.

    Η έξοδος είναι εκεί. — The exit is there.

  96. Kaart 96

    Küsimus

    Modern Greek plural + article: το εισιτήριο (ticket).

    Vastus

    τα εισιτήρια — tickets.

    Τα εισιτήρια είναι στην τσάντα. — The tickets are in the bag.

Bread, oranges, a water bottle and a house key at a neighborhood bakery, with a bus outside.

96 kaarti

Modern Greek vocabulary: everyday words and short phrases

Õpi seda kaardipakki tasuta

Nibomo avaneb, et saaksid õppimist alustada.