Learning Greek can be a rewarding experience, opening doors to understanding Greece’s rich history, culture, and literature. As you progress to the A2 level, you will be expected to have a broader vocabulary and a better grasp of basic grammar and everyday expressions. This article aims to provide you with essential Greek words and phrases that will help you navigate common situations and improve your fluency.

Basic Greetings and Courtesies

At the A2 level, it’s crucial to feel comfortable with everyday greetings and polite expressions. Here are some foundational phrases:

– **Καλημέρα** (Kalimera) – Good morning
– **Καλησπέρα** (Kalispera) – Good evening
– **Καληνύχτα** (Kalinikhta) – Good night
– **Γειά σου** (Yia sou) – Hello (informal)
– **Γειά σας** (Yia sas) – Hello (formal or plural)
– **Ευχαριστώ** (Efharisto) – Thank you
– **Παρακαλώ** (Parakalo) – Please / You’re welcome
– **Συγγνώμη** (Signomi) – Sorry / Excuse me

Numbers and Counting

Knowing how to count and use numbers is essential in daily interactions such as shopping, making reservations, and understanding schedules. Here are the numbers from one to twenty:

– **Ένα** (Ena) – One
– **Δύο** (Dyo) – Two
– **Τρία** (Tria) – Three
– **Τέσσερα** (Tessera) – Four
– **Πέντε** (Pente) – Five
– **Έξι** (Exi) – Six
– **Επτά** (Epta) – Seven
– **Οκτώ** (Okto) – Eight
– **Εννέα** (Ennea) – Nine
– **Δέκα** (Deka) – Ten
– **Έντεκα** (Endeka) – Eleven
– **Δώδεκα** (Dodeka) – Twelve
– **Δεκατρία** (Dekatria) – Thirteen
– **Δεκατέσσερα** (Dekatessera) – Fourteen
– **Δεκαπέντε** (Dekapente) – Fifteen
– **Δεκαέξι** (Dekaexi) – Sixteen
– **Δεκαεπτά** (Dekaepta) – Seventeen
– **Δεκαοκτώ** (Dekaokto) – Eighteen
– **Δεκαεννέα** (Dekaennea) – Nineteen
– **Είκοσι** (Ikosi) – Twenty

Days of the Week and Months

Understanding the days of the week and months is crucial for making appointments, planning activities, and understanding schedules.

Days of the Week

– **Δευτέρα** (Deftera) – Monday
– **Τρίτη** (Triti) – Tuesday
– **Τετάρτη** (Tetarti) – Wednesday
– **Πέμπτη** (Pempti) – Thursday
– **Παρασκευή** (Paraskevi) – Friday
– **Σάββατο** (Savato) – Saturday
– **Κυριακή** (Kiriaki) – Sunday

Months of the Year

– **Ιανουάριος** (Ianouarios) – January
– **Φεβρουάριος** (Fevrouarios) – February
– **Μάρτιος** (Martios) – March
– **Απρίλιος** (Aprilios) – April
– **Μάιος** (Maios) – May
– **Ιούνιος** (Iounios) – June
– **Ιούλιος** (Ioulios) – July
– **Αύγουστος** (Avgoustos) – August
– **Σεπτέμβριος** (Septemvrios) – September
– **Οκτώβριος** (Oktovrios) – October
– **Νοέμβριος** (Noemvrios) – November
– **Δεκέμβριος** (Dekemvrios) – December

Common Verbs

Verbs form the backbone of any language. At the A2 level, you should be comfortable using these common verbs in the present tense:

– **Είμαι** (Eimai) – To be
– **Έχω** (Echo) – To have
– **Πηγαίνω** (Pigeno) – To go
– **Κάνω** (Kano) – To do/make
– **Μιλάω** (Mila’o) – To speak
– **Τρώω** (Tro’o) – To eat
– **Πίνω** (Pino) – To drink
– **Θέλω** (Thelo) – To want
– **Μπορώ** (Boro) – To be able to
– **Γράφω** (Grafo) – To write
– **Διαβάζω** (Diavazo) – To read
– **Βλέπω** (Vlepo) – To see
– **Ακούω** (Akouo) – To hear
– **Λέω** (Leo) – To say

Adjectives

Adjectives help you describe people, places, and things. Here are some important adjectives to know:

– **Μεγάλος / Μεγάλη / Μεγάλο** (Megalos / Megali / Megalo) – Big
– **Μικρός / Μικρή / Μικρό** (Mikros / Mikri / Mikro) – Small
– **Καλός / Καλή / Καλό** (Kalos / Kali / Kalo) – Good
– **Κακός / Κακή / Κακό** (Kakos / Kaki / Kako) – Bad
– **Όμορφος / Όμορφη / Όμορφο** (Omorfos / Omorfi / Omorfo) – Beautiful
– **Άσχημος / Άσχημη / Άσχημο** (Aschimos / Aschimi / Aschimo) – Ugly
– **Καινούριος / Καινούρια / Καινούριο** (Kainourios / Kainouria / Kainourio) – New
– **Παλιός / Παλιά / Παλιό** (Palios / Palia / Palio) – Old
– **Ζεστός / Ζεστή / Ζεστό** (Zestos / Zesti / Zesto) – Hot
– **Κρύος / Κρύα / Κρύο** (Kryos / Krya / Kryo) – Cold

Useful Phrases for Everyday Situations

Being able to navigate everyday situations is essential. Here are some useful phrases to help you:

– **Πόσο κοστίζει;** (Poso kostizei?) – How much does it cost?
– **Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;** (Pou einai i toualeta?) – Where is the bathroom?
– **Θα ήθελα…** (Tha ithela…) – I would like…
– **Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;** (Boreite na me voithisete?) – Can you help me?
– **Τι ώρα είναι;** (Ti ora einai?) – What time is it?
– **Καταλαβαίνω** (Katalaveno) – I understand
– **Δεν καταλαβαίνω** (Den katalaveno) – I don’t understand
– **Μιλάτε αγγλικά;** (Milate anglika?) – Do you speak English?
– **Είμαι από…** (Eimai apo…) – I am from…
– **Πώς σε λένε;** (Pos se lene?) – What is your name? (informal)
– **Πώς σας λένε;** (Pos sas lene?) – What is your name? (formal)

Food and Drink Vocabulary

When dining out or shopping for food, these words will come in handy:

– **Ψωμί** (Psomi) – Bread
– **Νερό** (Nero) – Water
– **Κρασί** (Krasi) – Wine
– **Καφές** (Kafes) – Coffee
– **Τσάι** (Tsai) – Tea
– **Κρέας** (Kreas) – Meat
– **Ψάρι** (Psari) – Fish
– **Λαχανικά** (Lachanika) – Vegetables
– **Φρούτα** (Frouta) – Fruits
– **Σαλάτα** (Salata) – Salad
– **Πρωινό** (Proino) – Breakfast
– **Μεσημεριανό** (Mesimeriano) – Lunch
– **Δείπνο** (Deipno) – Dinner

Travel and Transportation

If you are traveling in Greece, these words and phrases will help you get around:

– **Αεροδρόμιο** (Aerodromio) – Airport
– **Σταθμός** (Stathmos) – Station
– **Λεωφορείο** (Leoforeio) – Bus
– **Τρένο** (Treno) – Train
– **Ταξί** (Taksi) – Taxi
– **Αυτοκίνητο** (Aftokinito) – Car
– **Εισιτήριο** (Eisitirio) – Ticket
– **Άφιξη** (Afiksi) – Arrival
– **Αναχώρηση** (Anachorisi) – Departure
– **Πού είναι…;** (Pou einai…?) – Where is…?
– **Θα ήθελα ένα εισιτήριο για…** (Tha ithela ena eisitirio gia…) – I would like a ticket to…

Shopping Vocabulary

When shopping, these words will be useful:

– **Κατάστημα** (Katastima) – Store
– **Αγορά** (Agora) – Market
– **Προϊόντα** (Proionta) – Products
– **Τιμή** (Timi) – Price
– **Πληρωμή** (Pliromi) – Payment
– **Μετρητά** (Metrita) – Cash
– **Πιστωτική κάρτα** (Pistotiki karta) – Credit card
– **Παζάρι** (Pazari) – Bargain
– **Απόδειξη** (Apodeixi) – Receipt

Health and Emergencies

Knowing how to communicate during a health emergency is essential:

– **Γιατρός** (Giatros) – Doctor
– **Νοσοκομείο** (Nosokomeio) – Hospital
– **Φαρμακείο** (Farmakeio) – Pharmacy
– **Αστυνομία** (Astynomia) – Police
– **Πυροσβεστική** (Pyrosvestiki) – Fire Department
– **Είμαι άρρωστος / άρρωστη** (Eimai arrostos / arrosti) – I am sick (male/female)
– **Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια** (Chriazomai voithia) – I need help
– **Έχω έναν πόνο εδώ** (Echo enan pono edo) – I have a pain here
– **Επείγον** (Epigon) – Emergency

Weather Vocabulary

Discussing the weather is a common topic of conversation:

– **Καιρός** (Kairos) – Weather
– **Ηλιοφάνεια** (Iliofania) – Sunshine
– **Βροχή** (Vrochi) – Rain
– **Χιόνι** (Chioni) – Snow
– **Άνεμος** (Anemos) – Wind
– **Ζέστη** (Zesti) – Heat
– **Κρύο** (Kryo) – Cold
– **Σύννεφα** (Synnefa) – Clouds
– **Καταιγίδα** (Kataigida) – Storm
– **Θερμοκρασία** (Thermokrasia) – Temperature

Common Expressions

Finally, here are some common expressions that will help you sound more natural in Greek:

– **Τι κάνεις;** (Ti kanis?) – How are you? (informal)
– **Τι κάνετε;** (Ti kanete?) – How are you? (formal)
– **Όλα καλά;** (Ola kala?) – Is everything okay?
– **Καλά είμαι** (Kala eimai) – I am fine
– **Καλή τύχη!** (Kali tychi!) – Good luck!
– **Συγχαρητήρια!** (Syncharitiria!) – Congratulations!
– **Περαστικά!** (Perastika!) – Get well soon!

By incorporating these words and phrases into your daily practice, you’ll find yourself becoming more comfortable and fluent in Greek. Remember, consistency is key in language learning, so make sure to review and use these words regularly. Happy learning!