Learn how to get something you want or to get it the way you want it, with a simple "please"
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| Today's phrase will help you to take matters into your own hands. In today's lesson, we'll look at the word "Please," which will be very important when you need to ask for something. |
| In Greek, "Please" is Παρακαλώ (Parakaló). |
| Παρακαλώ (Parakaló) |
| Let's break it down by syllable: Pa-ra-ka-lo. |
| Now let's hear it once again, Παρακαλώ (Parakaló). |
| The easiest way of using "please" is to point at something while saying Παρακαλώ (Parakaló), but let's try and build this up a bit, shall we? |
| Let's start with the expression "This, please." which in Greek is Αυτό παρακαλώ (Aftó parakaló). |
| In English, "this" comes before "please." In Greek, the order is the same. So we have Αυτό παρακαλώ (Aftó parakaló). |
| Let's take a look at the word for "this." In Greek, "this" is αυτό (aftó). |
| αυτό (aftó) |
| Let's break it down by syllable: af-to. |
| αυτό (aftó) |
| Looking at the word for "this," warrants a look at the word for "that," which is εκείνο (ekíno). The phrase "That please." is Εκείνο παρακαλώ (Ekíno parakaló). |
| Εκείνο παρακαλώ (Ekíno parakaló). |
| Let's break it down by syllable: E-ki-no pa-ra-ka-lo. |
| Now let's hear it once again, Εκείνο παρακαλώ (Ekíno parakaló). |
| Please remember that it's also a little rude to point at things and especially at people in Greece. If it is necessary to point to something in order to explain better what one wants, then it is accepted; however, pointing in the direction of someone and especially to a person's face is a very aggressive stance. Furthermore, when pointing it is better to have one's arm, hand, and finger pointing in a relaxed way. Pointing with a stiff finger may seem intimidating. |
| Just as when thanking someone more formally, in Greek, the object Σας (Sas) is used. Σας παρακαλώ (Sas parakaló), which literally means "I beg you." Let's break it down by syllable: Sas pa-ra-ka-lo. |
| Σας παρακαλώ (Sas parakaló) |
| Σας παρακαλώ (Sas parakaló) |
| Okay, to close out today's lesson, we'd like for you to practice what you've just learned. I'll provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you're responsible for shouting it out loud. You'll have a few seconds before I give you the answer, so Καλή τύχη (kalí týchi), which means "good luck!" in Greek. |
| "Please" - Παρακαλώ (Parakaló) |
| "Please" formal or plural - Σας παρακαλώ (Sas parakaló) |
| "This, please" - Αυτό παρακαλώ (Aftó parakaló) |
| "That, please" - Εκείνο παρακαλώ (Ekíno parakaló) |
| All right, that's going to do it for today! |
| Remember to stop by GreekPod101.com and pick up the accompanying PDF. If you stop by, be sure to leave us a comment. Αντίο! (Antío!) |
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