GreekPod101.com Blog

Do you have Greek friends or family? Maybe you’re planning on visiting Greece or relocating here for work. Whatever the situation, you’ll certainly have to talk with a Greek on the phone at some point. Here, you’ll learn how to do it like a native speaker! Making a call or answering the phone in your own language can be scary, but it’s even more so in another language. Each culture has its own rules of etiquette when it comes to talking over the phone, and Greek culture is no exception. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to many ready-to-use Greek phone call phrases that you can start practicing right away. You’ll learn how to pick up the phone, state your name and business, keep the call going, and finally end the... Show more

It’s finally here: The ultimate list of basic Greek words for beginners!Whether you’ve been thinking about learning Greek or you need to freshen up your vocabulary, this list is the perfect guide to the most frequently used Greek words.  In fact, even if you haven’t studied the language before, you have the opportunity to learn and memorize your first 200 Greek words today! Pronouns, nouns, verbs, adjectives, and even conjunctions—all the essentials in one place.  Table of Contents Pronouns Numbers Nouns Verbs Adjectives Conjunctions How GreekPod101 Can Help You Master Greek 1. Pronouns The first set of words you should add to your beginner Greek vocabulary base are pronouns. These are the words... Show more

What to say when you don’t know what to say In everyday conversations, we often use short (and sometimes meaningless) words or sounds to fill small pauses in our speech. These are called filler words and they’re quite useful as they allow us to take a moment to think about what to say next. This can be especially helpful in the context of speaking a foreign language, because we’ve all been there: Entering a conversation with a native speaker only to feel overwhelmed midway through. Using the appropriate fillers can buy you time and even help you feel more confident in these situations.  As a Greek learner, it’s essential that you become familiar with the common Greek filler words so that you can better participate in... Show more

Love has always been an integral part of Greek culture. As such, the sheer number of Greek words for love and their accompanying romantic phrases should come as no surprise!  In ancient Greece, people worshipped Aphrodite—the goddess of beauty and love—as well as Eros, the god of love and lust. There were also the Erotes, a small group of winged gods that carried around their bows and shot at people to make them fall in love.  Many years later, Christianity was spread throughout Greece, leading to a whole new perception of love. The religion taught about having love for each other, not necessarily in a romantic context.  Nowadays, rumor has it that modern Greeks are among the most loving partners. They are often described as... Show more

Ever wondered how to use negation in Greek to create negative sentences?Then you’re in the right place! If you prefer expressing your opposition verbally (instead of nodding, for instance), then continue reading. In this blog post, we’ll focus on negation in Greek and show you how to turn an affirmative sentence into a negative one. In addition, we’ll present you with the most common negation words and phrases, as well as the most popular ways to give a negative response to a question. Are you ready? Let’s get started! Table of Contents Turning an Affirmative Sentence into a Negative Sentence Giving a Negative Response to a Question Negation Words and Phrases Double Negatives Conclusion 1. Turning an... Show more

"Why should I learn Greek?"  If you’re asking this question to yourself right now, let me make this easier for you. Why shouldn’t you learn Greek? I mean, you’ve got nothing to lose, right? In this blog post, we’ll demonstrate all the important reasons why you should start learning Greek today. Table of Contents The Benefits of Learning a New Language Greece, Greeks & Greek Reasons for Learning Greek Is Greek Easy to Learn? How to Learn Greek Conclusion 1. The Benefits of Learning a New Language There are many reasons to learn a new language, but one of the most important reasons is that this process changes your way of thinking. In addition, learning a new language and getting in touch with... Show more

Greek tenses are a cornerstone chapter for every student of the language. They allow you to refer with ease to actions of the present, past, and future—a basic skill required for everyday discussions.  The good news is that the Greek tenses are very similar to those in English, making it easier to adapt. On the other hand, the bad news is that the Greek language features many different verb groups, as well as many exceptions.  In this blog post, we’ll demonstrate the use of Greek tenses and provide you with useful examples throughout. Table of Contents Present Past Future The Auxiliary Verb "έχω" Verb Conjugations Conclusion 1. Present Talking about the present is one of the most common ways to... Show more

A Useful Guide for Beginners How long does it take to learn Greek? Is Greek a difficult language to master? How can I learn Greek fast? These questions (and many more) might pass through your mind as you set out to start learning Greek. Is there a definite answer to all of them? Well, actually no.  However, by the time you’re done reading this blog post, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what it takes to achieve the different levels of Greek fluency. You’ll also walk away with useful tips on how to learn the Greek language more effectively and speed up your progress. Table of Contents Is Greek a Difficult Language? How Long Does it Take to Achieve a Beginner Level? How Long Does it Take to Achieve an... Show more

Some people say that proverbs are the accumulated wisdom of a culture. Indeed, most Greek proverbs can be used in a wide variety of situations and can really make a difference when used at the right moment. Greek proverbs also incorporate many cultural elements, so studying them is a great way to dive deeper into the Greek culture and expand your vocabulary. In this blog post, we’ll present you with the most popular Greek proverbs, along with their translations and meanings. Feel free to use them while chatting with your Greek friends—it’s sure to impress them! Table of Contents Animal-Related Greek Proverbs Greek Proverbs About Time Greek Proverbs About Education & Language Greek Proverbs About Caution Miscellaneous... Show more

Locals often refer to Athens as the "cradle of Western civilization." And who could blame us? With a vast and rich history of more than 5,000 years, this is the place where democracy was born—an invaluable gift to modern society.  Whether or not you’re planning to visit Athens soon, this city definitely deserves a place on your bucket list. In this brief Athens travel guide, we’ll share with you valuable travel tips, a range of incredible places you must visit here, and the ten most useful survival phrases in Greek. Table of Contents Travel Tips Must-See Places for a 1-3 Day Trip Highly Recommended Places for a 4-7 Day Trip (or Longer) Greek Survival Phrases for Travelers Conclusion 1. Travel Tips Athens is... Show more