Learning Greek to a C1 level can be a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience. At this level, you are expected to have a good command of the language, not only in casual conversation but also in more formal and academic settings. To help you get there, this article will delve into essential Greek words and phrases that you should know for C1 proficiency. We will cover vocabulary across various topics, giving you a well-rounded lexicon to help you navigate complex conversations and texts.

Advanced Vocabulary

At a C1 level, you need to be familiar with a wide range of vocabulary, including words that are more academic and specific. Here are some crucial categories:

Academic and Professional Terms

1. **Ακαδημαϊκός** (Akademikós) – Academic
2. **Επαγγελματίας** (Epangelmatías) – Professional
3. **Διατριβή** (Diatriví) – Dissertation
4. **Ερευνητής** (Erevnitís) – Researcher
5. **Συμπεράσματα** (Symperásmata) – Conclusions
6. **Ανάλυση** (Análysis) – Analysis
7. **Θεωρία** (Theoría) – Theory
8. **Πείραμα** (Peírama) – Experiment
9. **Υπόθεση** (Ypóthesi) – Hypothesis
10. **Δημοσίευση** (Dimosíefsi) – Publication

Legal and Administrative Terms

1. **Νομοθεσία** (Nomothesía) – Legislation
2. **Δικαστήριο** (Dikastírio) – Court
3. **Σύμβαση** (Sýmvasi) – Contract
4. **Δικηγόρος** (Dikigóros) – Lawyer
5. **Ποινή** (Poiní) – Penalty
6. **Κατηγορούμενος** (Katigoróumenos) – Defendant
7. **Μαρτυρία** (Martyría) – Testimony
8. **Ασφαλιστικός** (Asfalistikós) – Insurance-related
9. **Άδεια** (Ádeia) – Permit
10. **Πρόστιμο** (Próstimo) – Fine

Technical and Scientific Terms

1. **Τεχνολογία** (Technología) – Technology
2. **Μηχανική** (Michanikí) – Engineering
3. **Βιολογία** (Viología) – Biology
4. **Χημεία** (Chimeía) – Chemistry
5. **Φυσική** (Fysikí) – Physics
6. **Πληροφορική** (Pliroforikí) – Informatics
7. **Υπολογιστής** (Ypologistís) – Computer
8. **Δεδομένα** (Dedomena) – Data
9. **Αλγόριθμος** (Algórithmos) – Algorithm
10. **Εργαστήριο** (Ergasatírio) – Laboratory

Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs

Understanding idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs is essential for mastering any language at an advanced level. Here are some Greek idioms and phrases that can add nuance to your language skills:

1. **Κάνω τα στραβά μάτια** (Káno ta stravá mátia) – To turn a blind eye
2. **Τα λέμε** (Ta léme) – See you (informal)
3. **Βάζω τα δυνατά μου** (Vázo ta dynatá mou) – To do my best
4. **Πιάσε το νόημα** (Piáse to nóima) – Get the point
5. **Έχω το πάνω χέρι** (Écho to páno chéri) – To have the upper hand
6. **Μη μου πεις!** (Mi mou peis!) – You don’t say!
7. **Όπως και να έχει** (Ópos ke na échei) – Be that as it may
8. **Δεν γίνεται** (Den gínetai) – It’s not possible
9. **Μου έφυγε η ψυχή** (Mou éfyge i psychí) – I was scared to death
10. **Βγάζω άκρη** (Vgázo ákri) – To figure out

Formal and Academic Writing

Writing at a C1 level involves a high degree of formality and complexity. Here are some essential words and phrases to help you improve your formal writing:

1. **Εν κατακλείδι** (En katakleídi) – In conclusion
2. **Συνεπώς** (Synepós) – Therefore
3. **Αναμφισβήτητα** (Anamfivítita) – Undoubtedly
4. **Περαιτέρω** (Peraitéro) – Furthermore
5. **Προκειμένου να** (Prokeiménou na) – In order to
6. **Ωστόσο** (Óstoso) – However
7. **Παρά το γεγονός ότι** (Pará to gegonós óti) – Despite the fact that
8. **Επιπλέον** (Epipléon) – Additionally
9. **Συγκεκριμένα** (Sygkekriména) – Specifically
10. **Συνοψίζοντας** (Synopsízontas) – Summarizing

Advanced Grammar and Conjugation

At a C1 level, you should be comfortable with advanced grammar and conjugation rules. Here are some important grammatical structures:

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express doubt, necessity, or emotion. For example:
– **Να φύγω** (Na fýgo) – That I leave
– **Να φάω** (Na fáo) – That I eat
– **Να δω** (Na do) – That I see

Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences often start with “Αν” (An) meaning “if.” For example:
– **Αν είχα χρόνο, θα πήγαινα** (An ícha chrónο, tha pı́gaina) – If I had time, I would go
– **Αν το ήξερα, θα το έλεγα** (An to íxera, tha to élega) – If I knew it, I would say it

Passive Voice

The passive voice is used to show that the action is performed on the subject. For example:
– **Το βιβλίο γράφτηκε από τον συγγραφέα** (To vivlío gráftike apó ton syngraféa) – The book was written by the author
– **Η εργασία παραδόθηκε χθες** (I ergasía paradóthike chtes) – The assignment was submitted yesterday

Regional Variations and Dialects

Greece has various dialects and regional variations that can affect vocabulary and pronunciation. While standard Greek is understood nationwide, being aware of these differences can be helpful:

Cretan Dialect

1. **Να** (Na) – Yes (instead of “Ναι”)
2. **Κάμνω** (Kámno) – I do (instead of “κάνω”)
3. **Εδά** (Edá) – Now (instead of “τώρα”)

Cypriot Dialect

1. **Εν** (En) – Is (instead of “είναι”)
2. **Τζαι** (Tzai) – And (instead of “και”)
3. **Πίννω** (Pínno) – I drink (instead of “πίνω”)

Commonly Used Phrasal Verbs and Expressions

At the C1 level, it is crucial to be fluent in using phrasal verbs and expressions that are commonly used in everyday conversation and formal contexts:

1. **Βγαίνω έξω** (Vgáino éxo) – Go out
2. **Κάνω πίσω** (Káno píso) – Back down
3. **Βάζω μπρος** (Vázo bros) – Start (a machine)
4. **Μένω μέσα** (Méno mésa) – Stay in
5. **Περνάω καλά** (Pernáo kalá) – Have a good time
6. **Παίρνω μέρος** (Pérno méros) – Take part
7. **Βάζω τα δυνατά μου** (Vázo ta dynatá mou) – Do my best
8. **Δίνω σημασία** (Díno simasía) – Pay attention
9. **Παίρνω τηλέφωνο** (Pérno tiléfono) – Make a call
10. **Κάνω λάθος** (Káno láthos) – Make a mistake

Expressions for Social Situations

Navigating social situations requires a specific set of vocabulary and expressions. Here are some useful phrases:

1. **Χαίρω πολύ** (Chaíro polý) – Pleased to meet you
2. **Καλώς ήρθες** (Kalós írthes) – Welcome (informal)
3. **Καλώς ήρθατε** (Kalós írthate) – Welcome (formal)
4. **Συγγνώμη** (Sygnómi) – Excuse me / I’m sorry
5. **Ευχαριστώ πολύ** (Efcharistó polý) – Thank you very much
6. **Παρακαλώ** (Parakaló) – Please / You’re welcome
7. **Καλή όρεξη** (Kalí órexi) – Enjoy your meal
8. **Στην υγειά μας** (Stin ygeiá mas) – Cheers
9. **Καλή τύχη** (Kalí týchi) – Good luck
10. **Περαστικά** (Perastiká) – Get well soon

Advanced Conversational Phrases

Here are some advanced conversational phrases that can make your speech more fluent and natural:

1. **Τι γνώμη έχεις για αυτό;** (Ti gnómi écheis gia aftó?) – What do you think about this?
2. **Πώς σου φαίνεται;** (Pós sou faínetai?) – How does it seem to you?
3. **Είναι πιθανό να…** (Eínai pithanó na…) – It is likely that…
4. **Δεν είμαι σίγουρος/η αν…** (Den eímai sígouros/sigouri an…) – I’m not sure if…
5. **Μπορείς να με βοηθήσεις με…;** (Boreís na me voithíseis me…?) – Can you help me with…?
6. **Νομίζω ότι…** (Nomízo óti…) – I think that…
7. **Σε περίπτωση που…** (Se períptosi pou…) – In case…
8. **Είναι αναγκαίο να…** (Eínai anagkaío na…) – It is necessary to…
9. **Είναι ενδιαφέρον ότι…** (Eínai endiaféron óti…) – It is interesting that…
10. **Αναρωτιέμαι αν…** (Anarotiémai an…) – I wonder if…

Conclusion

Reaching a C1 level in Greek requires not only a broad vocabulary but also the ability to use it accurately and appropriately in different contexts. By incorporating these advanced words and phrases into your studies, you’ll be well on your way to achieving fluency. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every new word or phrase you master brings you one step closer to your goal. Keep practicing, stay curious, and enjoy the rich linguistic and cultural landscape that the Greek language has to offer.