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Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!

London
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Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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Yas Sas Everyone one

Although I'm only coming to Athens for a few days, I'm trying real hard to memorise a few phrases....what seems to be coming up though is many phrases can mean the same thing, for instance if I say (prononced the english way) 'ef-hari-sto' this can mean 'Thank You' and 'Your're welcome' is that correct?

Also you can say (english pronounced) Yas Sas and this can mean hello and goodbye, He-re-te can can also mean hello as well, I'm on you tube trying to get the correct pronounciation of some basic phrases, but then I'll see somewhere a word can mean different things.

I'm having fun learning some of these phrases but I'll read one word is said 1 paticular way in a book, or internet, then go to another site and it says to say it another way!

Confused! but loving it anyway,

Kal-in-eecha...(Have a good evening)

Devizes, United...
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1. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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Hi there

I shouldn't worry too much about it, at least you're making an effort which is more than 90% of visitors ever do. Greek is a difficult lingo for English speakers to get to grips with, thus few do, but if you make the effort to learn just a few basic words and phrases, the locals will applaud you even if you get the pronunciation wrong.

Athens
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2. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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F-haris-sto means thank you.

Pah-rah-kah-lo means please and you are welcome.

Yiassas (if you are talking to many people or to an older person) and yiassou (if you are talking to one person or to a younger person) means hello and goodbye.

Kah-lee-meh-rah is good morning.

And you already know too much! :-) As Graham says, everybody here speaks English.

Edited: 14 years ago
Athens, Greece
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3. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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cantwaitformehol you have already made a kick start ;)

I am afraid that you have already touched one of the difficulties of Greek language :)) This is exactly the thing that similar things can be said in many different ways ( this is the most difficult ) and some things eman different things :))

What you may find very useful is bbc's help lessons like this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/greek/

It's a nice start and also has more info in too.

Look: language is the soul of Greekness. Keep in mind that in certain changes, it is a language being used for at least 3,800 years, a span of time that just makes us dizzy. It's a gold mine of knowledge. Have in mind that even the slightest effort is highly appreciated here :)

What you may find even more intriguing is the alphabet. Have in mind that Greek is a "say what you read" system, so, despite some exemptions that are there for the rule's sake, learning to pronounce the letters, you 'll be able to read shortly.

Will you need it? not necessarily.

Will it be rewarding: yes :)

London
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4. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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Hi

Yes Nick I saw the alphabet and didn't even consider it - far to streching for my mind. Although greeks speak english, I would at least like to say Please, Thank You, hello - just the usual so thanks for your pronounciation TH13. & gb I've been reading that learning a few words will go down well so hopefully that will get me an extra drink at the bar! lol!

Cincinnati, Ohio
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5. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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I think you have the right idea.

I had a great time in Athens using my Greek words for "please", "thank you" and "good morning"; people really appreciated my efforts, although most also smiled when they heard my atrocious accent!

My efforts were helped on my overnight flight from Newark by a young girl flying back to Greece with her family to spend the summer with her grandparents on Lesbos. She really enjoyed trying to polish up my very pathetic accent.

Edited: 14 years ago
Ottawa
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6. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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One word I learned which seemed really appreciated in the tavernas is "NO stem oh". I was told it means "delicious". At least I hope it means delicious!

Karen

Athens
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7. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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Put steam instead of stem and you have delicious in Greek! :-)

No steam oh!

New York City, New...
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8. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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Excellent Karen:-) You nailed that one..and it does mean delicious! Welcome cantwaitformehol..the Greeks themselves realize they've got a difficult language for the foreignors so just the attempt will be greatly appreciated! Have fun..and EnjoY!

Spydeberg, Norway
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9. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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Like Litsa says - any attempt to speak some words in Greek will be very welcomed.

However, Greek is not the only language with several words for the same meaning. Back in my school days (many, many years ago) we joked about the English language. They have got "perhaps" and "maybe" - and we mixed it for simplicity into "mayhaps". :-)

Drexel Hill...
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10. Re: Ya Sas - (Learning some basic phrases) Hope thats a start!
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This is great thread and thanks for starting it...I think to be able to speak the thank yous and the hellos in the country that you are in is quite respectful to the locals! I better start with what you guys have here! F-haris-sto!

Edited: 14 years ago
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