Getting around
Μετρό
Πού πάει;
Where to?
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
Athens
Greece
Athens is the capital of Greece. The Acropolis stands above the old lanes of Plaka.
How the language is used
Greek is the language of the metro, the shop, and the city office. The signs use the Greek alphabet.
In this city
- Language
- Greek
- Also heard
- Mostly Greek
- A local word
- Ευχαριστώ — Thank you.
- Writing
- the Greek alphabet
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
The counter
Καφέ
Έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ.
One coffee, please.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
Food
Μαγαζί
Πόσο κάνει;
How much is it?
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
Οδός
Ευχαριστώ.
Thank you.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The language through the day
Greek is the language of the ride, the shop, and the street.
A first day in Athens can run on four lines: “Πού πάει;”, “Έναν καφέ, παρακαλώ.”, “Πόσο κάνει;”, and “Ευχαριστώ.”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in the Greek alphabet.
- One everyday you-form covers most shops. Please and thanks do the polite work.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Athens, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: Ευχαριστώ. It means Thank you..
Places you can see
- Acropolis — The rock with the old temples above the city.
- Plaka — Narrow lanes of houses under the rock.
- Monastiraki — The square where the metro meets the flea market.
Food
A souvlaki is the ordinary order. You ask for it in Greek.
Getting around
The metro crosses the centre. Announcements are in Greek.
Daily life
A short question in Greek gets you through a shop. The reading beside the Greek letters on this site shows the sound.
A few everyday phrases
Greek
| Phrase | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Γεια σου | Geia sou | Hello |
| Ευχαριστώ | Efcharistó | Thank you |
| Καλημέρα | Kaliméra | Good morning |
| Με λένε… | Me léne… | My name is… |
