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.
Um þennan stokk
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.
Spjöld í þessum stokki
Spjald 1
Spurning
Say “hello” to one friend in Modern Greek.
Svar
γεια σου — hello (informal, one person).
Γεια σου, Μαρία! — Hello, Maria!
Use γεια σας for a polite greeting or more than one person.
Spjald 2
Spurning
Say “good morning” in Modern Greek.
Svar
καλημέρα — good morning.
Καλημέρα! Τι κάνεις; — Good morning! How are you?
Spjald 3
Spurning
Say “thank you” in Modern Greek.
Svar
ευχαριστώ — thank you.
Ευχαριστώ για το νερό. — Thank you for the water.
Spjald 4
Spurning
Say “excuse me” or “sorry” in Modern Greek.
Svar
συγγνώμη — excuse me; sorry.
Συγγνώμη, πού είναι η στάση; — Excuse me, where is the bus stop?
Spjald 5
Spurning
Modern Greek for “yes”?
Svar
ναι — yes.
Ναι, έχω εισιτήριο. — Yes, I have a ticket.
Ναι means yes; it is not the English word “no.”
Spjald 6
Spurning
Greet an unfamiliar adult politely in Modern Greek.
Svar
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.
Spjald 7
Spurning
Modern Greek for “no”?
Svar
όχι — no.
Όχι, δεν θέλω καφέ. — No, I do not want coffee.
Spjald 8
Spurning
Ask one person informally, “What is your name?” in Modern Greek.
Svar
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.
Spjald 9
Spurning
Start “My name is …” in Modern Greek.
Svar
Με λένε… — My name is…
Με λένε Άννα. — My name is Anna.
Put your name after the phrase.
Spjald 10
Spurning
Say “I don't understand” in Modern Greek.
Svar
Δεν καταλαβαίνω. — I do not understand.
Δεν καταλαβαίνω αυτή τη λέξη. — I do not understand this word.
Spjald 11
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: a male friend.
Svar
ο φίλος — male friend.
Ο φίλος μου μένει εδώ. — My friend lives here.
A female friend is η φίλη.
Spjald 12
Spurning
Add “please” to a request in Modern Greek.
Svar
παρακαλώ — please.
Ένα νερό, παρακαλώ. — One water, please.
Παρακαλώ also commonly answers a thank-you: “You're welcome.”
Spjald 13
Spurning
Modern Greek meaning: “Χαίρω πολύ.”
Svar
Nice to meet you.
Χαίρω πολύ, κύριε Νίκο. — Nice to meet you, Mr Nikos.
A conventional expression when meeting someone.
Spjald 14
Spurning
In “Τα λέμε αύριο”, what does “τα λέμε” mean?
Svar
See you; we'll talk again.
Τα λέμε αύριο! — See you tomorrow!
A casual farewell; it is not a literal instruction to say objects.
Spjald 15
Spurning
Modern Greek meaning: “Καληνύχτα!”
Svar
Good night!
Καληνύχτα! Πάω για ύπνο. — Good night! I am going to bed.
Used when parting at night or before sleep.
Spjald 16
Spurning
Modern Greek plural + article: ο φίλος (male friend).
Svar
οι φίλοι — male friends; friends in a mixed group.
Οι φίλοι μου είναι εδώ. — My friends are here.
All-female friends: οι φίλες.
Spjald 17
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: house or home.
Svar
το σπίτι — house; home.
Το σπίτι είναι μικρό. — The house is small.
Spjald 18
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: room.
Svar
το δωμάτιο — room.
Το δωμάτιο έχει δύο παράθυρα. — The room has two windows.
Spjald 19
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: door.
Svar
η πόρτα — door.
Η πόρτα είναι ανοιχτή. — The door is open.
Spjald 20
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: key.
Svar
το κλειδί — key.
Το κλειδί είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι. — The key is on the table.
Spjald 21
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: table (furniture).
Svar
το τραπέζι — table.
Το τραπέζι είναι στην κουζίνα. — The table is in the kitchen.
Spjald 22
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: chair.
Svar
η καρέκλα — chair.
Η καρέκλα είναι δίπλα στην πόρτα. — The chair is next to the door.
Spjald 23
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: mother.
Svar
η μητέρα — mother.
Η μητέρα μου δουλεύει σήμερα. — My mother works today.
Μαμά is the everyday familiar word “mum/mom.”
Spjald 24
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: father.
Svar
ο πατέρας — father.
Ο πατέρας μου πίνει καφέ. — My father is drinking coffee.
Μπαμπάς is the familiar word “dad.”
Spjald 25
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: child.
Svar
το παιδί — child.
Το παιδί διαβάζει ένα βιβλίο. — The child is reading a book.
Spjald 26
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: family.
Svar
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.
Spjald 27
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: window.
Svar
το παράθυρο — window.
Το παράθυρο είναι κλειστό. — The window is closed.
Spjald 28
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: bed.
Svar
το κρεβάτι — bed.
Το βιβλίο είναι πάνω στο κρεβάτι. — The book is on the bed.
Spjald 29
Spurning
In “Μένω στο κέντρο”, what does “μένω” mean?
Svar
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.
Spjald 30
Spurning
In “Η κουζίνα είναι δίπλα στο σαλόνι”, what is “η κουζίνα”?
Svar
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.
Spjald 31
Spurning
In “Το μπάνιο είναι καθαρό”, what is “το μπάνιο”?
Svar
The bathroom.
Το μπάνιο είναι καθαρό. — The bathroom is clean.
Μπάνιο can also refer to bathing, depending on context.
Spjald 32
Spurning
Modern Greek plural + article: το παιδί (child).
Svar
τα παιδιά — children.
Τα παιδιά παίζουν στο σπίτι. — The children are playing at home.
Spjald 33
Spurning
Greek noun + article: water.
Svar
το νερό — water.
Το νερό είναι κρύο. — The water is cold.
Spjald 34
Spurning
Greek noun + article: bread.
Svar
το ψωμί — bread.
Το ψωμί είναι φρέσκο. — The bread is fresh.
Spjald 35
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: coffee.
Svar
ο καφές — coffee.
Ο καφές είναι ζεστός. — The coffee is hot.
Spjald 36
Spurning
Greek noun + article: milk.
Svar
το γάλα — milk.
Το γάλα είναι στο ψυγείο. — The milk is in the fridge.
Spjald 37
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: apple.
Svar
το μήλο — apple.
Το μήλο είναι κόκκινο. — The apple is red.
Spjald 38
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: orange (the fruit).
Svar
το πορτοκάλι — orange (fruit).
Το πορτοκάλι είναι γλυκό. — The orange is sweet.
Spjald 39
Spurning
Greek noun + article: cheese.
Svar
το τυρί — cheese.
Το τυρί είναι στο πιάτο. — The cheese is on the plate.
Spjald 40
Spurning
Greek noun + article: rice.
Svar
το ρύζι — rice.
Το ρύζι είναι έτοιμο. — The rice is ready.
Spjald 41
Spurning
Ask the price of one item: “How much is it?” in Modern Greek.
Svar
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.
Spjald 42
Spurning
Begin a polite request: “I would like …” in Modern Greek.
Svar
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.
Spjald 43
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: bill (at a café or restaurant).
Svar
ο λογαριασμός — bill; account.
Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ. — The bill, please.
The request uses the accusative τον λογαριασμό.
Spjald 44
Spurning
Say “I pay by card” in Modern Greek.
Svar
Πληρώνω με κάρτα. — I pay by card.
Πληρώνω με κάρτα, όχι με μετρητά. — I pay by card, not with cash.
Spjald 45
Spurning
In “Θέλω ένα νερό”, what does “θέλω” mean?
Svar
I want.
Θέλω ένα νερό. — I want a water.
Ένα νερό can mean one serving/bottle of water in an ordering context.
Spjald 46
Spurning
In “Λίγο γάλα, παρακαλώ”, what does “λίγο” mean?
Svar
A little; a small amount of.
Λίγο γάλα, παρακαλώ. — A little milk, please.
Spjald 47
Spurning
In “καφές χωρίς ζάχαρη”, what does “χωρίς” mean?
Svar
Without.
Ο καφές είναι χωρίς ζάχαρη. — The coffee is without sugar.
Spjald 48
Spurning
Modern Greek plural + article: το μήλο (apple).
Svar
τα μήλα — apples.
Τα μήλα είναι στο τραπέζι. — The apples are on the table.
Spjald 49
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I eat” (present, first person).
Svar
τρώω — I eat; I am eating.
Τρώω ένα μήλο. — I am eating an apple.
Spjald 50
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I drink” (present, first person).
Svar
πίνω — I drink; I am drinking.
Πίνω νερό. — I am drinking water.
Spjald 51
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I work” (present, first person).
Svar
δουλεύω — I work; I am working.
Δουλεύω στο κέντρο. — I work in the centre.
Spjald 52
Spurning
Modern Greek verb for “I study/read for class” (present, first person).
Svar
διαβάζω — I study; I read.
Διαβάζω το μάθημα. — I am studying the lesson.
Διαβάζω also means read. The context specifies studying.
Spjald 53
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I go” (present, first person; use the longer common form).
Svar
πηγαίνω — I go; I am going.
Πηγαίνω στο σπίτι. — I am going home.
Πάω is also a common everyday form.
Spjald 54
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I come” (present, first person).
Svar
έρχομαι — I come; I am coming.
Έρχομαι αύριο. — I am coming tomorrow.
Spjald 55
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I see” (present, first person).
Svar
βλέπω — I see; I am seeing.
Βλέπω το λεωφορείο. — I see the bus.
Spjald 56
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I hear/listen” (present, first person).
Svar
ακούω — I hear; I listen.
Ακούω μουσική. — I am listening to music.
Spjald 57
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I buy” (present, first person).
Svar
αγοράζω — I buy; I am buying.
Αγοράζω ψωμί. — I am buying bread.
Spjald 58
Spurning
Modern Greek verb: “I need” (present, first person).
Svar
χρειάζομαι — I need.
Χρειάζομαι ένα εισιτήριο. — I need a ticket.
Spjald 59
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: telephone.
Svar
το τηλέφωνο — telephone; phone.
Το τηλέφωνο είναι εδώ. — The phone is here.
Spjald 60
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: book.
Svar
το βιβλίο — book.
Το βιβλίο είναι καινούριο. — The book is new.
Spjald 61
Spurning
In “Ανοίγω την πόρτα”, what does “ανοίγω” mean?
Svar
I open; I am opening.
Ανοίγω την πόρτα. — I am opening the door.
Spjald 62
Spurning
In “Κλείνω το παράθυρο”, what does “κλείνω” mean?
Svar
I close; I am closing.
Κλείνω το παράθυρο. — I am closing the window.
Spjald 63
Spurning
In “Περιμένω εδώ”, what does “περιμένω” mean?
Svar
I wait; I am waiting.
Περιμένω εδώ. — I am waiting here.
Spjald 64
Spurning
Modern Greek plural + article: το βιβλίο (book).
Svar
τα βιβλία — books.
Τα βιβλία είναι πάνω στο τραπέζι. — The books are on the table.
Spjald 65
Spurning
Modern Greek for “today”?
Svar
σήμερα — today.
Σήμερα δουλεύω. — I am working today.
Spjald 66
Spurning
Modern Greek for “tomorrow”?
Svar
αύριο — tomorrow.
Αύριο πηγαίνω στο κέντρο. — Tomorrow I am going to the centre.
Spjald 67
Spurning
Modern Greek for “yesterday” (common everyday form)?
Svar
χτες — yesterday.
Χτες ήμουν στο σπίτι. — Yesterday I was at home.
Χθες is also correct.
Spjald 68
Spurning
Modern Greek for “now”?
Svar
τώρα — now.
Τώρα διαβάζω. — I am reading now.
Spjald 69
Spurning
Modern Greek for “here”?
Svar
εδώ — here.
Το κλειδί είναι εδώ. — The key is here.
Spjald 70
Spurning
Modern Greek for “there”?
Svar
εκεί — there.
Το λεωφορείο είναι εκεί. — The bus is there.
Spjald 71
Spurning
Greek noun + article: morning.
Svar
το πρωί — morning.
Το πρωί πίνω καφέ. — I drink coffee in the morning.
Spjald 72
Spurning
Greek noun + article: evening or night-time.
Svar
το βράδυ — evening; night-time.
Το βράδυ διαβάζω. — I read in the evening.
Spjald 73
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: day (common everyday form).
Svar
η μέρα — day.
Η μέρα είναι όμορφη. — The day is beautiful.
Η ημέρα is also correct.
Spjald 74
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: hour.
Svar
η ώρα — hour; time.
Περιμένω μία ώρα. — I wait for one hour.
Spjald 75
Spurning
Modern Greek question word: “where?”
Svar
πού — where?
Πού είναι η πόρτα; — Where is the door?
The question word πού carries an accent; the relative που does not.
Spjald 76
Spurning
Modern Greek question word: “when?”
Svar
πότε — when?
Πότε έρχεσαι; — When are you coming?
Spjald 77
Spurning
In “Σήμερα το κατάστημα ανοίγει αργά”, what does “αργά” mean?
Svar
Late.
Σήμερα το κατάστημα ανοίγει αργά. — The shop opens late today.
Αργά can also mean slowly; the context here is opening time.
Spjald 78
Spurning
In “Το σχολείο είναι μακριά”, what does “μακριά” mean?
Svar
Far away.
Το σχολείο είναι μακριά. — The school is far away.
Spjald 79
Spurning
In “Η στάση είναι κοντά”, what does “κοντά” mean?
Svar
Near; nearby.
Η στάση είναι κοντά. — The bus stop is nearby.
Spjald 80
Spurning
Modern Greek plural + article: η μέρα (day).
Svar
οι μέρες — days.
Οι μέρες είναι μεγάλες το καλοκαίρι. — The days are long in summer.
Οι ημέρες is also correct.
Spjald 81
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: road or street.
Svar
ο δρόμος — road; street.
Ο δρόμος είναι ήσυχος. — The street is quiet.
Spjald 82
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: bus.
Svar
το λεωφορείο — bus.
Το λεωφορείο είναι γεμάτο. — The bus is full.
Spjald 83
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: ticket.
Svar
το εισιτήριο — ticket.
Έχω ένα εισιτήριο. — I have a ticket.
Spjald 84
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: station.
Svar
ο σταθμός — station.
Ο σταθμός είναι κοντά. — The station is nearby.
Spjald 85
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: bus stop.
Svar
η στάση — stop (for a bus, etc.).
Περιμένω στη στάση. — I am waiting at the bus stop.
Spjald 86
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: train.
Svar
το τρένο — train.
Το τρένο φεύγει τώρα. — The train is leaving now.
Spjald 87
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: airport.
Svar
το αεροδρόμιο — airport.
Το αεροδρόμιο είναι μακριά. — The airport is far away.
Spjald 88
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: pharmacy.
Svar
το φαρμακείο — pharmacy.
Το φαρμακείο είναι ανοιχτό. — The pharmacy is open.
Spjald 89
Spurning
Greek singular noun + article: hospital.
Svar
το νοσοκομείο — hospital.
Το νοσοκομείο είναι στο κέντρο. — The hospital is in the centre.
Spjald 90
Spurning
Modern Greek direction: “to the left”.
Svar
αριστερά — to the left; on the left.
Η στάση είναι αριστερά. — The bus stop is on the left.
Spjald 91
Spurning
Modern Greek direction: “to the right”.
Svar
δεξιά — to the right; on the right.
Το φαρμακείο είναι δεξιά. — The pharmacy is on the right.
Spjald 92
Spurning
Modern Greek direction: “straight ahead”.
Svar
ευθεία — straight ahead.
Πηγαίνετε ευθεία. — Go straight ahead.
Πηγαίνετε addresses someone politely or more than one person.
Spjald 93
Spurning
In “Το φαρμακείο είναι απέναντι”, what does “απέναντι” mean?
Svar
Opposite; across the way.
Το φαρμακείο είναι απέναντι. — The pharmacy is opposite.
The exact opposite location depends on where the speakers are.
Spjald 94
Spurning
In “Η είσοδος είναι εδώ”, what is “η είσοδος”?
Svar
The entrance.
Η είσοδος είναι εδώ. — The entrance is here.
Spjald 95
Spurning
In “Η έξοδος είναι εκεί”, what is “η έξοδος”?
Svar
The exit.
Η έξοδος είναι εκεί. — The exit is there.
Spjald 96
Spurning
Modern Greek plural + article: το εισιτήριο (ticket).
Svar
τα εισιτήρια — tickets.
Τα εισιτήρια είναι στην τσάντα. — The tickets are in the bag.
96 spjöld
Modern Greek vocabulary: everyday words and short phrases
Nibomo opnast svo þú getir byrjað að læra.