54 Short But Mighty Everyday Words and Phrases
These aren't likely to appear in your course book.
Some are just what you expected while others will surprise you.
Pick the ones you use more often, note down the ones you were wondering how to say.
Ready?
Let’s see together 54 of these everyday short words & phrases:
Agree to something:
1. Έτσι φαίνεται. It looks like it. It seems like it.
2. Τέλεια. Perfect.
3. Α, μπράβο. Well done. You got this.
4. Συμφωνώ απόλυτα. I wholeheartedly agree.
5. Ναι, αμέ*. Yeah, sure.
6. Πολύ καλή ιδέα, ας το κάνουμε έτσι. Great idea, let’s do it this way.
7. Μια χαρά είναι. It’s fine.
8. Ας γίνει έτσι, λοιπόν. Let’s plan it this way, then. [ Read here about how to use the verb γίνομαι ]
*used in southern Greece
Disagree or say no:
9. Δεν γίνεται. Can’t happen / can’t work.
10. Δεν έχω χρόνο, δυστυχώς. I don’t have the time, unfortunately.
Ask / suggest something:
11. Πάμε; Shall we go?
12. Τι λες (κι εσύ) ; What do you think?
13. Μπορείτε να με (μας) βοηθήσετε; Could you help me (us)?
Ask at a store:
14. Ρίχνω μια ματιά. Just browsing.
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15. Υπάρχει/ υπάρχουν καθόλου…; Is there any ..? Are there any…?
Apologize:
16. Με συγχωρείτε, δεν το ήθελα. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.
17. Ωχ, κατά λάθος έγινε! Oh, this was by mistake!
18. Αχ, χίλια συγγνώμη! Ah, I’m terribly sorry! (“a thousand apologies”)
Thank:
19. Με έσωσες! You saved me!
20. Αχ, σας ευχαριστώ! Ah, thank you!
21. Να είστε καλά! Be well!
Statements and wishes:
22. Καλά να περάσετε! Have a great time!
23. Για να δούμε. Let’s see.
24. Ελπίζω. I hope.
25. Έτσι νομίζω. I think so.
26. Μέχρι στιγμής, όλα καλά. So far so good.
27. Δεν έχω ιδέα. I have no idea.
28. Αυτό ακριβώς έψαχνα. This is what I was looking for.
29. Κανένα πρόβλημα. No problem.
30. Σου έχω μία έκπληξη. I have a surprise for you.
31. Κι εγώ το παθαίνω αυτό. This happens to me as well.
32. Μακάρι να γινόταν. I wish this could happen.
33. Θα τα πας μια χαρά. You’ll do fine.
34. Δεν χρειάζεται να στενοχωριέσαι. No need to be upset.
35. Αυτό είναι το θέμα. That’s the issue / problem.
36. Θα δούμε. We’ll see.
37. Έχει πλάκα! It’s fun / funny.
38. Πόσο μου αρέσει εδώ πέρα! I like it so much here!
39. Απίστευτο μου φαίνεται. It seems unbelievable.
40. Δεν το περίμενα. I didn’t see that coming. (didn’t expect that)
41. Να κανονίσουμε μία μέρα! Let’s arrange (to get together) one day!
Start a sentence:
42. Πάντως … However ...
43. Παρ’ όλ’ αυτά … Nevertheless ...
44. Οπότε … So ….
45. Για παράδειγμα … For example ....
Express sympathy:
46. Κρίμα. Too bad.
47. Λυπάμαι πολύ. I’m so sorry.
Emergency:
48. Βοηθήστε με. Help me.
49. Τι έπαθες; What’s wrong?
50. Δεν ξέρω τι να κάνω. I don't know what to do.
51. Χάσαμε τον δρόμο. We ‘re lost (“missed the way” > missed the sign, took wrong turn).
Not minding:
52. Δεν πειράζει. That’s okay.
53. Δεν με πειράζει. I don’t mind.
54. Δεν με ενοχλεί. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t mind.
Time for a Quiz!
What do you say, when your friend :
1. Looks worried?
2. Asks you if you like it here?
3. Is concerned about their new job?
4. Asks if you like this movie?
What do you say, when you…:
5. Break a glass?
6. Agree to go to the cinema on Saturday?
7. Suggest to meet with a friend?
8. Can't believe something happened?
Reply in the comments below!
