The predominant language in Greece is Modern Greek (Demotike), with its origins dating back 3,500 years. English and French are also used as well as, to a lesser degree, German. Tourism is one of the largest trades in Greece, so visitors should get by with a basic understanding of any of these languages.
The main problem with a holiday in Greece is that you can feel totally illiterate. The Greek alphabet differs from the Roman one used in most Western countries, and not all street signs are written in both. But here are some useful phrases for you:
(Accented syllables in Italics)
Hello: ya-sou
Yes: neh
No: oh-khe
Please and You are welcome: pah-rah-kah-low
Thank-you: ef-khar-ee-stow
How are You?: Tee-kah-nees
Fine: kah-la
What is your name?: pos-seh-leh-neh
My name is....: meh-leh-neh......
I'm from..(America): ee-meh ap-oh....(Am-eh-ree-kee)
I don't understand Greek: then cat-ah-la-ven-oh eh-len-ee-kah
Do you speak English?: Mee-las ang-lee-ka
Goodbye: ya-sou (or ah-dee-oh)
Where is: poo ee-neh
how much: pos-oh kah-nee
It's too much: ee-neh po-lee
food: fag-ee-toh
water: neh-row
bank: trap-ez-ah
post office: tach-ee-dro-mee-oh
restaurant: es-ti-ah-tor-ion
hotel: ksen-oh-tho-khee-on
breakfast: proy-ee-no
bus: lay-oh-for-ee-oh
toilet: toy-let-tah
beach: par-ee-lee-ah
harbor: lee-man-ee
I would like a ticket for...:thell-oh eh-na iss-ee-tee-ree-oh yah...
