Greek Words
There are many reasons why one chooses a language to learn. For some, it is for professional reasons as they need to know a language for their job. Some are for personal reasons as they want to travel there, or know someone who speaks the language. However, don’t overlook that sometimes we just want to learn a language for the joy of discovering something new or unique. If you are interested in learning Greek, the language of the earliest European civilization, that may be you.
Greek is the official language of Greece, and also one of the official languages of the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union. As an English speaker, you’ll have a huge advantage when learning Greek as 25% of the English vocabulary is of Greek origin. With large Greek communities in the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, Chile, South Africa, and Russia, you’ll have plenty of company.
Rosetta Stone designs language learning programs that build confidence in both speaking and understanding Greek. Whether you’re just starting out in your journey, or already an intermediate speaker looking to advance your fluency, we can help. At Rosetta Stone, we will teach you the language, not just the words, using our proven Dynamic Immersion® methodology. In addition, Rosetta Stone uses an award-winning mobile app to deliver bite-sized lessons that help you learn Greek anytime, anywhere, on your schedule!
Learning Greek Words And Phrases
It is tempting when you start out, to try to memorize long lists of vocabulary words and phrases. However, memorizing vocabulary isn’t usually an effective way to learn Greek. A much more proven way to start is by first learning how to pronounce commonly used words and short phrases. This assumes your purpose for learning Greek is not just vocabulary acquisition, but rather wanting to develop the ability to comfortably and confidently understand and speak Greek in real-world conversations.
The basic conversational building blocks are a great place to start. Simple phrases are the bread and butter of daily conversation in most languages, including Greek. Focusing on learning how to correctly pronounce these commonly used words and short phrases will help build your foundation. Here are some useful phrases and greetings to build confidence while communicating in Greek, (also written phonetically):
- Good day = Καλημέρα [Kalimera] (Ka-lee-ME-ra)
- Good evening = Καλησπέρα [Kalispera] (Ka-lee-SPER-a)
- Hello = Γεια σου [Ya sou] (Yah-SU)
- Thank you = Ευχαριστώ [Efcharisto] (Ef-caree-STO)
- Please (also “You’re Welcome”) = Παρακαλώ [Parakalo] (Par-aka-LOH)
- Excuse me, where could I find the best baklava?” = “Συγγνώμη, πού θα μπορούσα να βρω τον καλύτερο μπακλαβά;”
Speaking with correct pronunciation is key when learning a new language. One of the advantages of using Rosetta Stone is its TruAccent® technology. This technology compares your voice to native speakers and makes corrections, based on the quality of your attempts. Practice makes perfect. If you wish to improve, practice every day, whether you’re at home, waiting on your kids, or at the doctor’s office waiting room. This will help you build conversational confidence, even if Greece is miles away.
Try Our Award-Winning App
Surround yourself with Greek whenever, wherever with the Rosetta Stone app.
Download a unit and knock it out on the train or a flight. Select a 5-10 minute lesson and sneak it in while you wait in line or for your ride to show up. And explore dynamic features, like Seek and Speak, where you can point at an object in the real world and get a translation.
The best part? You don’t have to choose between app or desktop. Both come with your subscription and sync, so you can switch between devices seamlessly.
