Why Focus on the Most Common Greek Words?
When starting to learn Greek, it might feel overwhelming to memorize thousands of words. However, linguistic studies show that a small number of words make up a significant portion of daily conversations. By learning the 100 most common Greek words, you’ll be able to comprehend a large percentage of spoken and written Greek, making your learning journey smoother and more motivating.
How to Use This List for Effective Learning
To make the most of this list, try the following strategies:
- Flashcards: Create flashcards to test your memory and reinforce retention.
- Contextual Practice: Use these words in sentences or short dialogues.
- Listening Exercises: Listen to Greek audio materials and identify these common words.
- Speaking Practice: Integrate these words into your conversations with language partners or tutors.
Talkpal offers AI-powered exercises and personalized lessons that can help you practice these high-frequency words efficiently.
The 100 Most Common Greek Words
Below is a curated list of the 100 most frequently used Greek words, covering articles, pronouns, verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and common nouns.
| Greek | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| ο, η, το | o, i, to | the (masculine, feminine, neuter) |
| και | kai | and |
| είμαι | eimai | I am |
| σε | se | in, at, to |
| αυτός, αυτή, αυτό | aftos, afti, afto | he, she, it |
| εσύ | esy | you (singular) |
| εγώ | ego | I |
| όχι | ochi | no |
| ναι | nai | yes |
| τι | ti | what |
| που | pou | where, that, who |
| πως | pos | how |
| για | gia | for, about |
| με | me | with, me |
| αλλά | alla | but |
| όλα | ola | all, everything |
| είσαι | eisai | you are |
| έχω | echo | I have |
| θέλω | thelo | I want |
| θα | tha | will (future marker) |
| όταν | otan | when |
| αν | an | if |
| ή | i | or |
| ποιος, ποια, ποιο | poios, poia, poio | who (m, f, n) |
| το | to | it, the (neuter) |
| μου | mou | my |
| σου | sou | your |
| του, της, του | tou, tis, tou | his, her, its |
| εδώ | edo | here |
| εκεί | ekei | there |
| πολύ | poly | very, much |
| λίγο | ligo | a little |
| πρέπει | prepei | must, should |
| ξέρω | xero | I know |
| κάνω | kano | I do, I make |
| μπορώ | boro | I can |
| από | apo | from |
| γιατί | giati | why, because |
| πάνω | pano | on, above |
| κάτω | kato | down, below |
| μέσα | mesa | inside |
| έξω | exo | outside |
| όπως | opos | like, as |
| μέχρι | mechri | until |
| πάντα | panta | always |
| ποτέ | pote | never |
| ήδη | idi | already |
| τώρα | tora | now |
| σήμερα | simera | today |
| αύριο | avrio | tomorrow |
| χθες | chthes | yesterday |
| κάθε | kathe | every |
| πολύς, πολλή, πολύ | polys, polli, poly | many, much |
| όμορφος, όμορφη, όμορφο | omorfos, omorfi, omorfo | beautiful (m, f, n) |
| καλός, καλή, καλό | kalos, kali, kalo | good (m, f, n) |
| κακός, κακή, κακό | kakos, kaki, kako | bad (m, f, n) |
| μεγάλος, μεγάλη, μεγάλο | megalos, megali, megalo | big (m, f, n) |
| μικρός, μικρή, μικρό | mikros, mikri, mikro | small (m, f, n) |
| άνθρωπος | anthropos | person, human |
| γυναίκα | gynaika | woman |
| άντρας | antras | man |
| παιδί | paidi | child |
| φίλος, φίλη | filos, fili | friend (m, f) |
| σπίτι | spiti | house, home |
| δουλειά | douleia | work, job |
| σχολείο | scholeio | school |
| λεφτά | lefta | money |
| αγάπη | agapi | love |
| ζωή | zoi | life |
| χρόνος | chronos | time, year |
| μέρα | mera | day |
| νύχτα | nychta | night |
| ώρα | ora | hour, time |
| λεπτό | lepto | minute |
| μήνας | minas | month |
| χέρι | cheri | hand |
| μάτι | mati | eye |
| κεφάλι | kefali | head |
| πόδι | podi | foot, leg |
| νερό | nero | water |
| φαγητό | fagito | food |
| ψωμί | psomi | bread |
| καφές | kafes | coffee |
| γάλα | gala | milk |
| κρασί | krasi | wine |
| αυτοκίνητο | aftokinito | car |
| λεωφορείο | leoforeio | bus |
| δρόμος | dromos | road, street |
| πόλη | poli | city |
| χωριό | chorio | village |
| θάλασσα | thalassa | sea |
| βουνό | vouno | mountain |
| ήλιος | ilios | sun |
| φεγγάρι | feggari | moon |
| ουρανός | ouranos | sky |
| αστέρι | asteri | star |
Tips for Memorizing Common Greek Words
To help these words stick, use them in real-life scenarios as much as possible. Label objects around your home, write simple stories using the words, or use language learning apps like Talkpal to practice in engaging, interactive ways. Consistent exposure and repetition are key to building a strong vocabulary foundation.
Conclusion
By focusing on the 100 most common Greek words, you lay the groundwork for understanding and communicating effectively in Greek. Incorporate these words into your daily study routine and practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing to reinforce your learning. For more tips, tools, and resources, check out the Talkpal AI language learning blog and take your Greek skills to the next level!
