GreekPod101.com Blog

You're learning to speak Greek, and it's going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Greek. At Learn Greek, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Greek in the process. 1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Greek Eating out is fun, and often an experience you'd like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Greek. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills...and perhaps your taste in restaurants! Sotíris eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of of the food, and leaves this comment: POST Let's break down Sotíris's... Show more

What is Ohi Day, and what role does it play in Greek culture? Simply put, on Ohi Day, Greece commemorates the day on which the Greek prime minister refused an ultimatum provided by the Italians in 1940. This significant action led to (and took place at the same time as) a chain of events that unraveled throughout WWII and the Greco-Italian War. In this article, you’ll learn the most essential Ohi Day facts: its history, current celebrations, and related vocabulary. At GreekPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative! 1. Ohi Day Foundations: What is Ohi Day in Greece? On Ohi Day, we celebrate the anniversary of OHI (NO). It's a day of national celebration and a... Show more

You may be wondering how to say sorry in learning Greek, and this is a good thing! It’s so important, actually, that we’ve dedicated this article to explaining how to say sorry in Greek phrases. When it comes to expressing regret, the phrase “I’m sorry” is the most common. However, another way to express it is through a more formal apology. Did you know that the word “apology” has ancient Greek roots? Indeed it emerges from the Greek word απολογία (apoloyía) which means “apology.” More specifically, it consists of two parts: + . Greeks are kind-hearted and polite people, so no need to worry if you do make a mistake. Simply apologize in a proper way, and everything will be fine. Regardless of the occasion, GreekPod101.com is here to... Show more

Greeks are very passionate and expressive in verbal, as well as non-verbal, communication. Therefore, body language in Greek culture is taken quite seriously. You should expect a wide range of gestures to be used during communication. Some of them are widely used throughout the world, but others may have a different meaning, or are even unique to Greek culture. In this blogpost, GreekPod101.com has gathered for you all the popular Greek gestures and nods, helping you understand non-verbal communication in Greece in-depth, from body language to express yourself during casual encounters with friends to common gestures in Greek business. Start with a bonus, and download your FREE cheat sheet - How to Improve Your Greek Skills! (Logged-In... Show more

Each year, when many countries are celebrating Assumption Day, Greece holds Dormition Day celebrations. This holiday, also called the day of the Dormition of the Theotokos, is when most of Greece remembers the death of the Virgin Mary and her subsequent resurrection three days later. If you’re asking yourself "What is Assumption Day, and how does it actually differ from Dormition?" consider this. While similar to the Assumption of Mary Day, Dormition has a greater focus on her death and resurrection, as opposed to only her assumption into Heaven. Learn all about the Dormition of the Mother of God with GreekPod101.com, and increase your understanding of Greece’s fascinating culture and tradition. After all, this is the first step in... Show more

In the new era of technology and constant texting through the internet, a wide variety of Greek slang words and phrases has emerged, aiming to simplify everyday communications. Some of them are abbreviations of Greek words, whereas others are English words adjusted to the Greek language. Communicating in Greek through various messaging applications, such as Messenger, Viber, Instagram, and so on, has become more and more popular amongst youngsters. In this regard, most Greeks tend to write Greek with English characters, based on the pronunciation of each word. That’s how Greeklish was born: A new form of communication. So, wondering what internet slang in Greek means? Or the Greek definition for slang? In this article, we’ve... Show more

Greek is undoubtedly a language with a long history. As the centuries pass by, the Greek language has been influenced by wars and changes in lifestyle and culture. The result is the creation of a rich language, with many idioms and colloquialisms: modern Greek. There are a few untranslatable words in modern Greek, which are unique and can’t be translated effectively in other languages with one word. This group of words is widely used in everyday life and can be difficult to understand without a proper explanation. So, have you ever wondered what μάγκας (mángas), μεράκι (meráki), or καημός (kaimós) mean? We’ve got your back! In this article, we’ve gathered ten Greek words with unique meanings, which can’t be translated effectively... Show more

First impressions always matter and introducing yourself is probably the first thing you do when meeting new people. Whether you’re visiting Greece for vacation or for business, learning how to introduce yourself in Greek is something you’ll definitely need to do. Don’t worry though, GreekPod101.com is here to help! In this article, we’ll present to you all the basic phrases for introducing yourself and much more. You’ll learn how to state your name, your age, your nationality, as well as your hobbies and interests. You’ll also learn how to share basic information about your family, your studies, and your profession. Now, let’s dig into some of the most common Greek introductory phrases! Table of Contents Identifying... Show more

The Pentecostal holiday of Whit Monday (also called "Monday of the Holy Spirit" or "Pentecost Monday") is a vital celebration in Greek culture. The Greek Church actually separated the celebrations of this holiday from those of Pentecost, to ensure that its meaning and significance are always recognized despite commemorating the same events. By learning about the Whit Monday holiday, you’re also going to learn lots about Greek culture and values. Any successful language-learner can tell you that this is a fundamental step in actually mastering a language: Comprehending its culture. And at GreekPod101.com, we hope to make this learning experience enjoyable and informative! 1. What is Whit Monday in Greece? So, what is... Show more

Learning a new language can always be a challenge. However, watching movies can certainly help you learn Greek in an easy and fun way. Develop your listening skills and get to know Greek customs and culture through Greek cinematography. From comedies to dramas, and modern situations to historical ones, Greek movies demonstrate a wide variety of genres and we’re sure you’ll find a movie of your taste. In this blog, we’re presenting some of the most popular Greek movies and quotes, aiming to encourage you to combine learning with entertainment. Our recommended Greek movies should help you do that without a hitch! Here are some tips to improve your pronunciation while watching movies in Greek. Table of Contents A... Show more