How to Use Parting Phrases and Expressions

Learn how to use parting phrases and expressions

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Vocabulary (Review)

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can-Do Greek by GreekPod101.com.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use parting expressions in Greek.

For example, "Goodnight" is

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

Martha Asimakis is talking with her former colleague, Penelope Tzanakaki .

As Martha says goodbye, her children join her in saying goodnight.

Before you hear their conversation, let’s preview some of its key components.

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

"See you soon."

Τα λέμε σύντομα.

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

"Goodnight."

Καληνύχτα.

Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.)

"Rest well."

Καλή ξεκούραση.

Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.)

"See you later."

Τα λέμε αργότερα.

Focus on the way each person says goodbye.

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.)

Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.)

Once more with the English translation.

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

"See you soon."

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

"Goodnight."

Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.)

"Rest well."

Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.)

"See you later."

Let's break down each of these expressions.

First, do you remember how Martha says,

"See you soon."

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

This starts with τα (ta), literally "them." Τα . Τα.

Next is λέμε (léme), "[we] tell." Λέμε . Λέμε.

Note: λέμε (léme) is a shortened form of εμείς λέμε (emís léme), "we tell." In Greek, εμείς, "we," is usually omitted, as it can be understood from context.

Λέμε is from the verb λέω (léo), "to tell" in this context. Λέω.

Last is σύντομα (síndoma), "soon." Σύντομα . Σύντομα.

Together, Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.) means something like "We tell them soon," but translates as "See you soon."

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

Τα λέμε σύντομα (ta léme síndoma) is fairly informal, which indicates a close relationship between Martha and Penelope Tzanakaki , her former homestay mother.

Do you remember how Jenny says,

"Goodnight."

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

Καληνύχτα (kaliníhta) literally means "goodnight." Καληνύχτα .

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

You can use καληνύχτα (kaliníhta), "goodnight," when you don’t plan on seeing someone again that night.

Do you remember how Alex says,

"Rest well."

Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.)

First is καλή (kalí), "good." Καλή . Καλή.

Next is ξεκούραση (xekúrasi), "rest." Ξεκούραση . Ξεκούραση.

All together, Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.) Literally, "[have a] good rest," but it translates as "Rest well."

Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.)

You can use καλή ξεκούραση (kalí xekúrasi), "rest well," when someone is about to go to bed.

Do you remember how Penelope says

"See you later."

Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.)

First is τα λέμε (ta léme), "see you." Τα λέμε.

Next is αργότερα (argótera), "later." Αργότερα . Αργότερα.

All together, Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.) "See you later."

Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.)

Let's look at some examples.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speaker.

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

“See you soon.”

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

“Goodnight.”

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.)

“See you later.”

Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.)

Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.)

“Rest well.”

Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.)

Τα λέμε. (Ta léme.)

“See you.”

Τα λέμε. (Ta léme.)

Γεια. (Ya.)

“Bye.”

Γεια. (Ya.)

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

Γεια (ya) translates as "bye" in this context. Γεια . Γεια.

You can use this greeting when you are sure you’ll meet the other person again.

Remember, γεια can be used as a parting greeting meaning "bye," as well as a greeting meaning, "Hi."

Γεια. (Ya.)

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

"See you."

Τα λέμε. (Ta léme.)

And how to say

"See you soon."

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

Do you remember how to say

"Goodnight."

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

Do you remember how to say

"Rest well."

Καλή ξεκούραση. (Kalí xekúrasi.)

Do you remember how to say

"See you later."

Τα λέμε αργότερα. (Ta léme argótera.)

Let's practice.

Imagine you're Pericles Asimakis , and you're talking with Penelope Tzanakaki .

Respond by saying "Goodnight."

Ready?

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

Listen again and repeat.

Καληνύχτα. (Kaliníhta.)

Let's try another.

Imagine you're Alex Asimakis , and you’re finishing class.

Respond by saying "See you soon."

Ready?

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

Listen again and repeat.

Τα λέμε σύντομα. (Ta léme síndoma.)

Let’s try one more.

Imagine you're Jenny Asimakis, and you’re finishing coffee with your college friend, Lia .

Respond by saying "Bye."

Ready?

Τα λέμε. (Ta léme.)

Γεια. (Ya.)

Listen again and repeat.

Γεια. (Ya.)

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

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

Γεια σας. (Ya sas.)

Do you remember how to say, "Good evening?"

Καλησπέρα. (Kalispéra.)

Imagine you're Jenny Asimakis, aand you're visiting your friend Lia Andreadaki in the morning, after a short small talk you part your ways.

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

Γεια σου. (Ya su.)

Respond to your friend Lia greeting you first.

Γεια σου. (Ya su.)

Listen again, and repeat.

Γεια σου. (Ya su.)

And do you remember how to say "Bye?"

Γεια. (Ya.)

Respond to Lia Andreadaki .

Τα λέμε. (Ta léme.)

Γεια. (Ya.)

Listen again, and repeat.

Γεια. (Ya.)

Well done! This is the end of the lesson and the Can Use Basic Greetings unit of this course.

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