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Common phrases in Greek Posted by on Jan 24, 2022 in Slang, Vocabulary

Idiomatic expressions are difficult to learn. In this post, there is a list of phrases that a Greek native speaker uses in daily life. If you want to see more expressions, check this and this.

 

Photo by Jade Seok on Unsplash

 

#1. πιάνω την πάρλα: to chatter, to talk a lot

Παράδειγμα:

H Μαργαρίτα έπιασε την πάρλα με τη φίλη της στο τηλέφωνο και παραλίγο να κάψει το φαγητό.

Margarita was chattering with her friend on the phone and the food was almost burned.

 

 

#2. κάθε τρεις και λίγο: it means very often. It has a negative connotation.

Παράδειγμα:

Κάθε τρεις και λίγο έρχονται ακάλεστοι στο σπίτι μας.

They often come to our house without being invited.

 

 

#3. Ό,τι έχω και δεν έχω: everything I have

Παράδειγμα:

Άφησε ό,τι είχε και δε είχε στα παιδιά του και έφυγε από το χωριό.

He gave away  everything he had to his children and left the village.

 

 

#4. όλο κι όλο / όλα κι όλα: only

Παράδειγμα:

“Χρειάζομαι χρήματα”. “ Δέκα ευρώ έχω όλα κι όλα. Πάρ’τα.”

“I need money.” “I only have ten euros. Take it.”

 

 

#5. τρώω πόρτα (slang): This expression is related to face control. When we are denied entrance in a club or a party we say “έφαγα πόρτα”.

Παράδειγμα:

Μην πας στο κλαμπ ντυμένος έτσι, θα φας πόρτα. Don’t go to the club dressed like that, (because) they will not let you in.

 

 

#6. στην καθισιά μου/σου /του κλπ. : without stopping

Παράδειγμα:

Ο Νίκος δεν πίνει κάθε μέρα, αλλά όταν πίνει, πίνει πάρα πολύ. Μπορεί να πιει και πέντε μπίρες στην καθισιά του.

Nikos does not drink everyday but when he does, he drinks two much. He drink five beers at a time.

 

 

#7. τα φέρνω βόλτα: to make ends meet

Παράδειγμα:

Από τοτε που ο άντρας της έμεινε χωρίς δουλειά, τα φέρνουν βόλτα δύσκολα.

Since her husband is unemployed, it is difficult to make ends meet.

 

 

#8. όλων των ειδών / κάθε είδους: many different kinds of

Παράδειγμα:

1. Έχουν έναν κήπο με όλων των ειδών τα φυτά.

They have a garden with all kinds of plants.

2. Στο κατάστημά μας θα βρείτε ηλεκτρικές συσκευές κάθε είδους.

In our store you can find all kinds of appliances.

 

Photo by Orxan Musayev on Unsplash

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About the Author: Ourania

Ourania lives in Athens. She holds a degree in French Literature and a Master’s degree in Special Education for Children. Since 2008, she has been teaching Greek to foreigners.


Comments:

  1. Laura B:

    Thanks for this – very helpful. The only thing is that I wouldn’t consider the last one an idiom – it just means “of all kinds”.

  2. Rosemarie Kennan:

    Thank you so much for the new spacing. It gives me time to work out the examples before reading the English translation. Love your blog. Many thanks.