Sailing in foreign climes is both exhilarating and fun. Being able to communicate, even just a little, with the locals can make your experience even more memorable; and the Greeks are always appreciative of anyone who makes an effort. The further afield you go, the more it may be necessary to have a few phrases to communicate with the older generation or the people in more remote areas.
Here is a list of the most useful words and phrases for sailing in Greece; the spelling is phonetic:
Greetings and Salutations
1. Yásas/Ya – Hello/Hi and also Goodbye
2. Kaliméra – Good morning
3. Kaliníchta – Good night
4. Kalós Irthaté – Welcome
5. Kaló sas vríkamé – the answer to welcome (we find you well)
6. Ti kaneté? - How are you ?
7. Eimé kalá, Isís ? I’m good , and you?
8. Kalá – Good
9. Endáksi – OK/Fine/Whatever
10. Milaté Angliká – Do you speak English?
11. Télos – It’s done!
12. Pollí Oréa – very nice
13. Pos se léne? – What’s your name?
14. Apo pu eisté – Where are you from?
15. Eimé apó….. – I am from…..
16. Óla Kalá? - Is everything ok? This also an answer. Yes everything is ok
17. Then katalavéno – I don’t understand
18. Neh – Yes
19. Óchi – No (the ‘ch’ is soft as in ‘character’)
20. Efharistó – Thank you
21. Parakaló – Please/It’s a pleasure/Excuse me
22. Signómi – sorry/excuse me
23. Na se kalá – may you be well
24. Sigá sigá – slowly/take it easy/there’s no rush but just one SIGA! Is Watch Out!
25. Ávrio – tomorrow
26. Kaló taxídi – Have a good journey
Boating Terms
1. Istiofóro – sailing boat
2. Paní– sail
3. Áeras/Ánemos – wind
4. Limáni – harbour
5. Petréleio – diesel
6. Ládi kinitíra – engine oil
7. Brostá – ahead
8. Písso – astern
9. Simadúra – Buoy
10. Voriá-Anatolí-Nótos-Díssi - North-East-South-West
11. Pixítha – compass (‘th’ as in ‘Then’)
12. Hártis – map
13. Kerós– weather
14. Kaló – good
15. Polí– a lot/many/much/very
16. Vrohí– rain
17. Thálassa – sea
18. Kímata - waves
19. Liminarhío – Port police
20. Asfáleia – insurance
21. Epikiróno – register
22. Éngrafa skáfous – boat papers
Useful phrases for sailing
1. Parakaló , boró na théso ethó? – (the ‘th’ as in ‘then’) Can I moor here, please?
2. Póso makriá iné ya ………..how far is it to?
3. Poso kostízi aftó?/ Póso Káni – how much does this cost?
4. Iné Vathía? – is it deep?
5. Parakaló, piáste toh skiní mu…please take my line
6. Pú boró na páro ….where can I get?
7. Parakaló , na plirósso? Can I pay, please?
8. Pú einé …… - Where is…?
9. Póté - When
10. Ti óra..? – What time..?
Out and about
1. Pú borúmé na fame? – Where can we eat?
2. Ti sinistaté ? – what do you recommend?
3. Tha ithelé ena trapeze ya……. – I would like a table for….
4. Tha ithela na dthó to catalog – I would like to see the menu
5. Tha ithela na parangiló – I would like to order
6. Birá – Beer
7. Lefkó Krassí – white wine
8. Kokkinó Krassí – red wine
9. Glykó – sweet/dessert
10. Tó logarismó, parakaló - The bill, please.
Now you are ready to book that charter holiday in Greece and get gabbing!
By Merryn Wainwright
