Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Greek Lesson 1

So… in preparation for our trip I thought it might be helpful to learn a few great words and phrases. Here are a few helpful phrases to master. I’ve written the phrases/words phonetically with the accent the syllable in CAPITAL letters:
KaleeMEra - Good morning

KaleeSPERa - Good evening

YahSU - Hello

EfcareeSTO - Thank you

ParakaLOH - Please, also heard as "you're welcome"

KAthika - I am lost


Now, in Greece… “no” means yes and “yes” means no… well actually. The Greek word for "No" can sound like "Okay" - OH-kee, as in "Okey-dokey" and still others pronounce it "Oh-shee". So remember, if it sounds like "Okay" it means "No way!" The Greek word for "Yes" sounds like "No" - NEH! It may help to think it sounds like "Now", as in "Let's do it right now." So remember…

OHkee – No

And

NEH - Yes
You next lesson will be to count to 10!
Posted by at

5 comments:

  1. NicJune 4, 2010 at 8:36:00 AM EDT

    I think we might have a Greek Expert... or at least someone to make us not look so much like tourist.

    Here's some more information from Nikoletta.

    There is also a physical inflection in saying Ne or Oxi that means a lot.

    When saying "Oxi" (no), one tips your head in an upward motion and sometimes even make a tisk sound instead of verbalizing the "oxi". The Greeks do not use the motion of the head from side to side the way we do.

    when saying "ne" (yes), one tips their head in a downward motion. It can be confusing as it is a slight difference. It is more important to understand it when they do it than to have to do it yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ChristopherJune 4, 2010 at 1:06:00 PM EDT

    I am so gunna get slapped or something... yes means no and no means yes??? This is blowing my mind....

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 8, 2010 at 4:34:00 PM EDT

    I know all the swear words.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJune 8, 2010 at 10:58:00 PM EDT

    Why am I not surprised at that?

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJune 17, 2010 at 12:23:00 PM EDT

    AND I was once on Greek TV so everyone should be prepared for me to be treated as a pseudo celebrity there..just sayin.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)