Speak Greek Use this page to learn common Greek words and phrases used throughout the Festival. To pronounce the following properly, stress the syllable in bold.
Now with audio pronunciations!
Click on any underlined word below to hear that word spoken on your computer! Be on the lookout for Festival workers wearing the button shown at left. They can help you Speak Greek!
Greetings and Phrases
Say: ef-har-ree-STO Thank you
Say: e-la-e-THOUGH Come here
Say: e-la-ma-ZEE-mou Come with me
Say: HE-re-te Good-bye
Say: ho-REV-o I dance
Say: ka-lee-ME-ra Means: Good morning; good day
Say: ka-lee-NEEK-ta Good night
Say: ka-lee-SPE-ra Good evening
Say: ka-lee-TEE-hee Good luck
Say: ka-los-o-REE-sa-te Welcome
Say: O-pa Means: Wassup?!? -- traditionally an exclamation used during Greek dances; no specific definition
Say: pa-ra-ka-LO Please; to ask, request
Say: THE-lo I want...
Say: YIA-sou Hello or good-bye
Greek Cuisine
Say: ar-NEE Lamb
Say: bak-la-VA Dessert made with flaky filo layered with butter and walnuts and topped with a honey-flavored syrup
Say: BEE-ra Beer
Say: dol-MA Grape leaves stuffed and cooked with some combination of ground beef, minced lamb, herbs, and rice
Say: ga-lak-to-BOU-ree-ko Custard wrapped in layers of buttered filo and topped with a honey-flavored syrup
Say: YEE-ro A blend of pork and lamb that is sliced off a big spit, served in a pita bread, and topped with tzatziki sauce
Say: hal-VA Confection of tahini (creamed sesame seeds), sugar, and vegetable oil; often compressed into a block and flavored with either vanilla, cocoa, or pistachios
Say: kas-SE-ree Pale yellow Greek cheese with a mild buttery flavor and springy texture; versatile, multi-flavored cheese made primarily of sheep's milk that has no rind yet is quite salty and pungent
Say: kou-ram-BE Almond butter cookies dusted with powdered sugar; often known as Greek wedding cookies pl. KOURAMBIEDES (Say: kou-ram-BE-thes)
Say: kra-SEE Wine
SAY: lou-kou-MAS Greek version of beignets drizzled with honey and dusted wth cinnamon pl. LOUKOUMADES (Say: lou-kou-MA-thes)
Say: ma-NOU-ree Creamy white cheese made of either sheep or goat milk whey to which cream is added; has no rind and comes from the Larissa region of Greece
Say: Me-ZE Appetizer that can be anything from a salad, stewed meat and vegetables, sardines, beans, sweetbreads, meatballs, cheese, sausage, or fried fish pl. MEZEDES (Say: me-ZE-thes)
Say: ne-RO Water
Say: OU-zo Traditional Greek apéritif with a licorice flavor that can also be used in some drinks and cocktails
Say: pa-STEE-chio Greek lasagna consisting of a pasta and cream sauce mixture that is layered with meat sauce; a staple of Greek households
Say: ret-SEE-na Greek wine flavored with pine resin
Say: ree-ZO-ga-lo Rice pudding made with whole milk, butter, rice, and topped with ground cinnamon
Say: souv-LA-kee Skewered lamb, beef, pork, or chicken that is grilled over an open fire and served on pita bread; the hamburger of Greece
SAY: span-a-KO-pee-ta Spinach pie, usually an appetizer, made with layers of buttered filo pastry and filled with sauteed spinach, onions, feta cheese, and spices
Say: ta-ra-mo-sa-LA-ta Appetizer consisting of a light paste of fish roe, olive oil, lemon juice, and moistened bread crumbs or mashed potatoes; eaten with crackers or pita
SAY: tee-RO-pee-ta Cheese triangle pastry appetizer made with layers of buttered filo dough and stuffed with cheese
Say: za-ZEE-kee A flavorful and versatile cucumber sauce that often accompanies gyro; made with yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh mint or dill
Say: ya-UR-tee Greek yogurt, generally homemade and having a slightly tangy taste; delicious when topped with honey and chopped walnuts
Things
Say: bou-ZOO-kee 8-stringed Greek musical instrument resembling a mandolin
Say: sick-LA-dees Pertaining to the Greek Cyclade Islands in the Aegean Sea; among the most notable are Myconos, Tinos, Delos — the birthplace of Apollo, Naxos, and Santorini
Say: ha-SA-pee-ko Folk dance whose name means the Butcher's Dance; also known as Zorba's dance
Say: ka-la-ma-tia-NO Folk dance from the mainland town of Kalamata
Say: KE-fee A feeling that comes over one and can only be expressed by dancing, singing, or simply radiating with happiness
Say: seer-TO Folk dance whose name means to drag or trail
Now with audio pronunciations!