10+ useful greek phrases and words you should know, whilst on holidays in Crete

Kalimera! Today’s blog post looks at the common Greek words and phrases you may hear on your Cretan holiday, as well as some of the easy vocabulary you can learn before your trip and impress the locals with!

Greetings

Start your day off right with the morning greeting kalimera, meaning good morning. The same word structure applies throughout the day, so just switch to kalispera (good afternoon) and kalinixta (good night) as time passes. For a more informal greeting, try yasas (hello) or yasou (hi).

Assistance

Whilst most Greeks speak English, particularly in the tourist industry, it’s always useful to have a few emergency phrases up your sleeve! When you get lost, don’t hesitate to ask pooh eemeh? (where am I?) or pooh einai toh Candia Park village? (where is Candia Park village?) and a friendly local is sure to help you out. Note down the common facilities you may need to find, such as the trapeza (bank), venzinadiko (gas station), farmakeio (pharmacy), ATM (same) or astinomiko tmima (police station), and you’ll always find your way!

Shopping & Restaurants

Browse like a local with the following key phrases, including posso kani? (how much is this?). Remember to ask for your apodixi (receipt) and, if you need one, mia tsanda (bag). By the end of your holiday you’re sure to recognise key food words, including nero (water), cafe (coffee), krasi (wine) and psomi (bread). Other important vocabulary include kreas (meat), hirino (pork), kotopoulo (chicken) and psari (fish). Vegetarians may also like to memorise the phrase prosferete fagito ya hortofagus (do you offer vegetarian food)!

Allergies

Greek restaurants, particularly family-run tavernas, may not be particularly sensitive to food allergies, so if you or a member of your family has any intolerances be sure to carry a translation of any foods to be avoided, and show it to your waitress. You can also say echo alergia sto ___ (I have an allergy to ___) fistikya (peanuts), avgo (eggs), thalassina (seafood), sitari (wheat), gala (milk) or gluteni (gluten). Be sure to ask the Candia Park village reception staff to help you out in translating your allergies correctly!

So before booking your summer holidays at Candia Park village, have learn those greek words and phrases to feel like a true local.