How to Use Basic Greetings

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can-Do Greek by GreekPod101.com.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use basic greetings in Greek.

For example, "hello" is

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

Anna-Maria is the Asimakis family's Greek teacher.

Her schedule for the day is:

Martha Asimakis at 9:00 a.m.

Jenny Asimakis at 12:00 p.m.

Alex Asimakis at 6:00 p.m.

Before you listen to the greeting exchange between the three pairs, let's preview some of its key components.

Καλημέρα. (Kaliméra.)

"Good morning."

Καλημέρα.

Καλησπέρα. (Kalispéra.)

"Good afternoon."

Καλησπέρα.

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

"Hello."

Γεια σας.

Listen to their conversations, and pay attention to the time of day.

Anna-Maria has a morning class with Martha at 9 a.m.

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασλανίδου. (Kaliméra, kiría Aslanídu.)

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασημάκη. (Kaliméra, kiría Asimáki.)

Later, Anna-Maria has an afternoon class with Jenny at 12 p.m.

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

At the end of the day, Anna-Maria has an evening class with Alex at 6 p.m.

Καλησπέρα, κυρία. (Kalispéra, kiría.)

Καλησπέρα, Άλεξ. (Kalispéra, Álex.)

Once more with the English translation.

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασλανίδου. (Kaliméra, kiría Aslanídu.)

"Good morning, Ms. Aslanidou."

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασημάκη. (Kaliméra, kiría Asimáki.)

"Good morning, Ms. Asimakis."

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

"Hello."

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

"Hello."

Καλησπέρα, κυρία. (Kalispéra, kiría.)

"Good evening, Ms."

Καλησπέρα, Άλεξ. (Kalispéra, Álex.)

"Good evening, Alex."

Let’s take a closer look at each of these expressions.

In the first conversation, do you remember how Martha says,

"Good morning, Ms. Aslanidou."

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασλανίδου. (Kaliméra, kiría Aslanídu.)

First is καλημέρα (kaliméra), which literally means "good day," but translates as "good morning" in this context. Καλημέρα . Καλημέρα.

Note: this greeting is usually used early in the morning up until 12 p.m. In our scenario, it’s 9 a.m.; therefore, this is the most suitable greeting for that time of the day.

Next is κυρία (kiría), "Ms." Κυρία . Κυρία. This is an honorific used to address a woman.

Finally, the teacher’s family name, Aslanidou. Ασλανίδου (Aslanídu). Ασλανίδου . Ασλανίδου.

Together, κυρία Ασλανίδου (kiría Aslanídu). "Ms. Aslanidou." Κυρία Ασλανίδου.

All together, Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασλανίδου. (Kaliméra, kiría Aslanídu.) "Good morning, Ms. Aslanidou."

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασλανίδου. (Kaliméra, kiría Aslanídu.)

This is a formal way to say good morning to someone that you don’t know well or to someone who is much older than you, or when you want to sound respectful regardless of the reason.

Note: You can tone this down a bit by replacing the last name with the first name of the person. In that case, you’ll manage to sound respectful, but more intimate.

Do you remember the teacher 's response,

"Good morning, Ms. Asimakis."

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασημάκη. (Kaliméra, kiría Asimáki.)

First is καλημέρα (kaliméra), "good morning." Καλημέρα.

Next is κυρία (kiría), "Ms." Κυρία . Κυρία. This is an honorific used to address a woman.

Note, when addressing a man, use κύριος (kýrios), "Mr." Κύριος . Κύριος.

Finally, Martha’s family name, Asimakis, pronounced in Greek. Ασημάκη . Ασημάκη.

All together, it’s Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασημάκη. (Kaliméra, kiría Asimáki.). "Good morning, Ms. Asimakis."

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασημάκη. (Kaliméra, kiría Asimáki.)

Please note that this is a formal exchange.

In the second conversation, which takes place at noon, do you remember how Jenny says,

"Hello."

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

Note that Jenny’s greeting is a bit less formal, since she doesn’t include the teacher’s name.

Γεια σας. (Ya sas). "Hello." Γεια σας.

First is γεια (ya), meaning something like “health,” but translating as "Hello.” Γεια . Γεια.

When the situation is informal, this γεια can be used as a greeting or parting expression on its own.

Next is σας (sas). This literally means “your.” Σας . Σας. Here it’s used to complete the formal greeting, Γεια σας.

All together, it’s Γεια σας (Ya sas), meaning something like "your health," but it translates as "Hello" in a formal situation.

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

The teacher 's response is the same,

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

In an informal situation, Γεια σας. (Ya sas.) becomes Γεια σου (Ya su). Γεια σου (Ya su).

In the third conversation, which takes place in the evening at 6 p.m., do you remember how Alex says,

"Good evening, Ms."

Καλησπέρα, κυρία. (Kalispéra, kiría.)

First is καλησπέρα (kalispéra), "good evening," in this case. Καλησπέρα . Καλησπέρα.

Note: this greeting is usually used from noon throughout the rest of the day (including the night). In our scenario, it’s 6 p.m.; therefore, this is the most suitable greeting for that time of the day.

Next is κυρία (kiría), "Ms." Κυρία.

All together Καλησπέρα, κυρία. (Kalispéra, kiría.) "Good evening, Ms."

Καλησπέρα, κυρία. (Kalispéra, kiría.)

Do you remember the teacher’s 's response,

"Good evening, Alex."

Καλησπέρα, Άλεξ. (Kalispéra, Álex.)

First is Καλησπέρα (kalispéra). "Good evening." Καλησπέρα.

Next is Alex’s name pronounced in Greek. Άλεξ . Άλεξ.

Together, it’s Καλησπέρα, Άλεξ. (Kalispéra, Álex). "Good evening, Alex."

Καλησπέρα, Άλεξ. (Kalispéra, Álex.)

Note: In Greek schools it is common for the students to address their teacher using formal language; whereas, the teacher may address the students using informal language, especially if the students are children.

Here, the teacher uses the first name of the student without an honorific, instead of his last name. This is quite informal.

As we mentioned above, the most common Greek greeting is Γεια (Ya), which derives from the Greek word υγεία (iyía), meaning "health" in English.

Therefore, in Greek, when someone says "hello," it's like they’re wishing you good health.

Let’s look at the greetings once more.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speaker.

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

“Hello.”

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

Καλησπέρα, κυρία. (Kalispéra, kiría.)

“Good evening, Ms.”

Καλησπέρα, κυρία. (Kalispéra, kiría.)

Γεια σου. (Ya su.)

“Hi.”

Γεια σου. (Ya su.)

Καλημέρα, κύριε. (Kaliméra, kírie.)

“Good morning, Mr.”

Καλημέρα, κύριε. (Kaliméra, kírie.)

Γεια! (Ya!)

“Hi!”

Γεια! (Ya!)

Let’s have a closer look at the last greeting.

Γεια! (Ya!)

"Hi!"

Γεια. Γεια . Γεια.

When the situation is informal, you can just use the greeting, γεια! (ya!),"hi!," at any time of the day.

Γεια (Ya) is a shorter alternative to Γεια σου (Ya su).

Let's review.

Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after the native speaker, focusing on pronunciation.

Ready?

Do you remember how to say "Good morning"?

καλημέρα (kaliméra)

And how Martha addresses Ms. Aslanidou?"

κυρία Ασλανίδου (kiría Aslanídu)

Do you remember how Martha says,

"Good morning, Ms. Aslanidou."

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασλανίδου. (Kaliméra, kiría Aslanídu.)

Do you remember how Anna-Maria addresses "Martha Asimakis?"

κυρία Ασημάκη (kiría Asimáki)

Do you remember Anna-Maria says,

"Good morning, Ms. Asimakis."

Καλημέρα, κυρία Ασημάκη. (Kaliméra, kiría Asimáki.)

Do you remember the informal way to say "Hi"?

Γεια. (Ya.)

Do you remember how Jenny says,

"Hello."

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

Do you remember how to say "Good evening"?

καλησπέρα (kalispéra).

And how Alex says,

"Good evening, Ms."

Καλησπέρα, κυρία. (Kalispéra, kiría.)

Do you remember the informal way to say "Hello?"

Γεια σου. (Ya su.)

Let's practice.

Imagine you're Alex Asimakis , and you're attending your morning class.

Respond by saying "Hello."

Ready?

Γεια σου. (Ya su.)

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

Listen again and repeat.

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

Let's try another.

Imagine you're Martha Asimakis , and you’re attending your afternoon class.

Respond by saying "Hello, Ms. Aslanidou."

Ready?

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

Γεια σας, κυρία Ασλανίδου. (Ya sas, kiría Aslanídu.)

Listen again and repeat.

Γεια σας, κυρία Ασλανίδου. (Ya sas, kiría Aslanídu.)

Let’s try one more.

Imagine you're Jenny Asimakis , and you meet your neighbor in the evening.

Respond by saying "Good evening."

Ready?

Καλησπέρα. (Kalispéra.)

Listen again and repeat.

Καλησπέρα. (Kalispéra.)

This is the end of this lesson.

In this lesson, you learned how to use basic greetings in Greek. This plays an essential role in the larger skill of using basic greetings.

Remember, these Can Do lessons are about learning practical language skills.

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