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