If you’re learning Greek for business purposes or if you’re thinking about relocating to Greece for work, then you’re definitely in the right place! In this article, we’ll outline the most common business phrases in Greek for a variety of situations.
Greece might have undergone a huge financial crisis, but now it’s time to thrive. Many people from all over the world have decided to relocate to Greece in order to enjoy a slower pace of life, along with kind-hearted people, plenty of sunshine, and magnificent islands.
Every language has its own code of ethics when it comes to business. Learning Greek is one thing, but learning all the appropriate ways to interact within a business environment is another. And we’re here to help you master business Greek, in word and action!
In this blog post, you’ll learn all the basics and much more, from nailing your job interview to interacting with your coworkers and handling everyday tasks in your new office.
Table of Contents
- Nailing a Job Interview
- Interacting with Coworkers
- Sounding Smart in a Meeting
- Handling Business Phone Calls & Emails
- Going on a Business Trip
- Conclusion
1. Nailing a Job Interview
A job interview is always a stressful procedure, especially when it’s conducted in a language other than your mother tongue.
Following is some useful Greek for business interviews. Of course, you can adjust these phrases according to your studies or experience.
What are you waiting for? Just put a bright smile on and shine!
- Greek: Γεια σας, ονομάζομαι [Όνομα] [Επίθετο].
- Romanization: Ya sas, onomázome [Ónoma] [Epítheto].
- Translation: “Hello, my name is [Name] [Last Name].”
- Greek: Έχω σπουδάσει Πληροφορική στο Πανεπιστήμιο Μακεδονίας στη Θεσσαλονίκη.
- Romanization: Ého spudási Pliroforikí sto Panepistímio Makedonías sti Thesaloníki.
- Translation: “I have studied informatics at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki.”
- Greek: Έχω προϋπηρεσία σε μια μικρή εταιρεία πληροφορικής.
- Romanization: Ého proipiresía se mia mikrí etería pliroforikís.
- Translation: “I have professional experience in a small informatics company.”
- Greek: Εκεί εργάστηκα για πέντε χρόνια ως αναλυτής.
- Romanization: Ekí ergástika ya pénde hrónia os analitís.
- Translation: “I worked there for five years as an analyst.”
- Greek: Είμαι πολύ εργατικός και οργανωτικός.
- Romanization: Íme polí ergatikós ke organotikós.
- Translation: “I am very hard-working and organized.”
- Greek: Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ για αυτήν την ευκαιρία!
- Romanization: Sas efharistó poli ya aftín tin efkería!
- Translation: “Thank you very much for this opportunity!”
- Greek: Με συγχωρείτε, μήπως μπορείτε να επαναλάβετε;
- Romanization: Me sighoríte, mípos boríte na epanalávete?
- Translation: “Excuse me, could you please repeat?”
If you feel like expanding your business vocabulary, check out our video Learn Greek Business Language in 15 Minutes below, or study with our article on How to Introduce Yourself in Greek!
2. Interacting with Coworkers
Interacting with colleagues is an integral part of your professional life. While doing business in Greece, it’s an opportunity to collaborate, get to know new people, and—why not?—make some new friends.
Here’s your cheat sheet for interacting with coworkers:
- Greek: Γεια σας, είμαι ο/η [Όνομα]. Είμαι ο/η καινούριος/-α σας συνάδελφος. Χαίρω πολύ!
- Romanization: Ya sas, íme o/i [Ónoma]. Íme o/i kenúrios/-a sas sinádelfos. Héro polí!
- Translation: “Hello, I am [Name]. I am your new coworker. Nice to meet you!”
- Greek: Μήπως μπορείς να με βοηθήσεις, σε παρακαλώ;
- Romanization: Mípos borís na me voithísis, se parakaló?
- Translation: “Could you please help me?”
- Greek: Συγγνώμη που άργησα.
- Romanization: Signómi pu áryisa.
- Translation: “Sorry for being late.”
- Greek: Είμαι πολύ αγχωμένος για αυτήν την παρουσίαση.
- Romanization: Íme polí anhoménos ya aftín tin parusíasi.
- Translation: “I am very stressed about this presentation.”
- Greek: Σήμερα είχα πολλή δουλειά και είμαι κουρασμένος.
- Romanization: Símera íha polí duliá ke íme kurazménos.
- Translation: “Today I’ve had a lot of work and I am tired.”
- Greek: Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ μετά τη δουλειά;
- Romanization: Thélis na páme ya kafé metá ti duliá?
- Translation: “Would you like to grab a cup of coffee after work?”
3. Sounding Smart in a Meeting
Business meetings are where all the magic happens; they’re a celebration of collaboration and new ideas! We’re sure you want to be an active member of the group, so we’ve compiled a list of phrases that feature Greek business terms you’ll likely hear and use in meetings:
- Greek: Οι πωλήσεις φαίνεται να αυξήθηκαν κατά το τελευταίο τρίμηνο.
- Romanization: I polísis fénete na afxíthikan katá to teleftéo trímino.
- Translation: “Sales seem to have increased during the last trimester.”
- Greek: Συμφωνώ απόλυτα με αυτό.
- Romanization: Simfonó apólita me aftó.
- Translation: “I totally agree with this.”
- Greek: Συγγνώμη, αλλά δεν συμφωνώ με αυτό.
- Romanization: Signómi, alá den simfonó me aftó.
- Translation: “Sorry, but I don’t agree with this.”
- Greek: Θα μπορούσαμε να το συζητήσουμε αυτό αργότερα;
- Romanization: Tha borúsame na to sizitísume aftó argótera?
- Translation: “Could we discuss this later?”
- Greek: Σας ευχαριστώ για την προσοχή σας!
- Romanization: Sas efharisó ya tin prosohí sas!
- Translation: “Thank you for your attention!”
Are you wondering how a Greek business meeting might sound? Here is our related Listening Lesson on Preparing for a Business Meeting.
4. Handling Business Phone Calls & Emails
When making a business call in Greek, it’s very important to address your interlocutor politely. In Greek, it’s common practice to address everyone using the honorific plural (i.e. second person plural, instead of second person singular).
That being said, here are some of the most popular Greek business phrases when making a phone call:
- Greek: [Επωνυμία Εταιρείας], λέγετε παρακαλώ. (Answering a work phone)
- Romanization: [Eponimía Eterías], léyete parakaló.
- Translation: “This is [Name of the Business].” (lit. “[Name of the Business], please speak.”)
- Greek: Καλημέρα σας, ονομάζομαι [Όνομα] [Επίθετο]. (Answering a work phone)
- Romanization: Kaliméra sas, onomázome [Ónoma] [Epítheto].
- Translation: “Good morning, my name is [Name] [Last Name].”
- Greek: Πώς μπορώ να σας βοηθήσω;
- Romanization: Pós boró na sas voithíso?
- Translation: “How may I help you?”
- Greek: Σας ευχαριστούμε που καλέσατε!
- Romanization: Sas efharistúme pu kalésate!
- Translation: “Thank you for calling!”
- Greek: O κ. Παπαδόπουλος απουσιάζει αυτήν την στιγμή.
- Romanization: O kírios Papadópulos apusiázi aftín tin stigmí.
- Translation: “Mr. Papadopoulos is not here at the moment.”
- Greek: Θα θέλατε να αφήσετε κάποιο μήνυμα;
- Romanization: Tha thélate na afísete kápio mínima?
- Translation: “Would you like to leave a message?”
Sending emails is also a big part of everyday business life. Therefore, we’ve decided to include how you would begin and end a business email:
- Greek: Αξιότιμε/Αγαπητέ κ. Παπαδόπουλε, ……
- Romanization: Axiótime/Agapité k. Papadópule, ………..
- Translation: “Dear Mr. Papadopoulos, ………”
- Greek: Αξιότιμη/Αγαπητή κ. Παπαδοπούλου, ……
- Romanization: Axiótimi/Agapití k. Papadopúlu, ………..
- Translation: “Dear Mrs. Papadopoulos, ………”
- Greek: Με εκτίμηση, ……
- Romanization: Me ektímisi, ………..
- Translation: “Sincerely, ………”
Keep in mind that in written Greek, after a greeting line such as the ones above, we use a comma after it and continue with a word in lowercase on the line below.
5. Going on a Business Trip
Last but not least, here are some useful phrases which can be lifesavers during a business trip:
- Greek: Θα ήθελα ένα κάνω μια κράτηση για ένα δίκλινο δωμάτιο από τις 25 έως τις 27 Απριλίου.
- Romanization: Tha íthela na káno mia krátisi ya éna díklino domátio apó tis íkosi pénde éos tis íkosi eftá Aprilíu.
- Translation: “I would like to make a reservation for a double room from the 25th until the 27th of April.”
- Greek: Στις 8 Ιουνίου θα λείπω σε επαγγελματικό ταξίδι.
- Romanization: Stis ohtó Iuníu tha lípo se epangelmatikó taxídi.
- Translation: “On the 8th of June, I will be on a business trip.”
- Greek: Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ για τη φιλοξενία!
- Romanization: Sas efharistó polí ya ti filoxenía!
- Translation: “Thank you very much for the hospitality!”
- Greek: Θα ήθελα ένα εισιτήριο για την πρώτη πρωινή πτήση της Παρασκευής.
- Romanization: Tha íthela éna isitírio ya tin próti proiní ptísi tis Paraskevís.
- Translation: “I would like a ticket for the first morning flight on Friday.”
For more useful phrases related to travel, check out the following vocabulary lists on GreekPod101.com:
6. Conclusion
Learning Greek is often a prerequisite to job hunting in Greece, especially when it comes to professions that require everyday interaction with clients. In addition, remember to always be polite and address others in the honorific plural.
If you’re contemplating finding a job in Greece, check out our guide on How to Find a Job in Greece. There, you’ll find everything you need to know about job hunting in Greece, including where to search for job ads on popular local websites.
On the other hand, if you feel like digging into business Greek a bit more, here are some relevant lessons on GreekPod101.com:
- Phrases for doing business successfully
- Vocabulary List about Workplace
- Vocabulary List about Occupations
- Lower-Intermediate series
- Upper-Intermediate series
In the meantime, is there a Greek business phrase that troubles you?
Feel free to let us know in the comments!
