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