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Phrases with the Greek adverb “well”. Posted by on Feb 28, 2019 in Vocabulary

Γεια σας! One of the most common Greek words is καλά and it  means “well”. In this post, there is a list of phrases and expressions with καλά. The examples in Greek are translated literally.

 

silviarita @ Pixabay

 

#1. να ‘σαι καλά / να ‘στε καλά (να είσαι καλά, να είστε καλά): Βe well. We use it as a response to ευχαριστώ (thank you).

Example:

A: Ορίστε ο καφές σου. / Here is your coffee.

Β: Ευχαριστώ. /Thank you

Α: Να ‘σαι καλά. / Be well (you are welcome).

 

#2. μα καλά:  a colloquial expression that cannot be translated. We use it when we are surprised.

Example:

A: Σήμερα το πρωί είδα τη Νατάσα. / I saw Natasha this morning.

B: Μα καλά, αυτή δεν ήταν στη Γερμανία;/ But wasn’t she in Germany?

 

We also use it when we are angry.

Example:

A: Μίλησα με την Έλσα και την κάλεσα στο πάρτι. / I talked to Elsa and I invited her to the party.

Β: Μα καλά, δε σου είπα να μην την καλέσεις; Δε θέλω να τη δω! / Didn’t I tell you not to invite her? I don’t want to see her!

 

#3. και καλά: supposed.

Example:

Ο Τάσος μού είπε να μην βγούμε το Σάββατο γιατί και καλά θα έρθει μια θεία του από την Ιταλία. / Tasos told me not to meet on Saturday because an aunt from Italy is supposed to come.

The use of και καλά suggests that I don’t believe Tasos’ excuse.

 

#4. πάλι καλά: fortunately.

Example:

Α: Το πάρτι ακυρώθηκε. Μόλις μου τηλεφώνησε ο Γιάννης. / The party is canceled. Yannis just called me.

Β: Πάλι καλά… Δεν είχα καμία όρεξη να πάω. / Great… I was not in the mood for it.

 

#5. τα πάω καλά: to be doing well.

Example:

Η Νίνα τα πηγαίνει πολύ καλά στη χημεία. / Nina is doing really great in chemistry.

 

#6. καλά να πάθω: something bad happens to me and I deserve it.

Example:

A: Η Αιμιλία οδηγούσε μεθυσμένη και της πήραν το δίπλωμα. / Emilia was driving drunk and they (i.e. the police) confiscated her driving license.

Β: Καλά να πάθει. / She deserved it.

 

#7. καλά κάνω: a colloquial expression we use when we are angry. It means “mind your own business.”

Example:

Α. Συνέχεια πίνεις νερό από το μπουκάλι. Δεν είναι δικό σου! / You always drink water directly from the bottle. It’s not yours!

Β: Καλά κάνω. Άσε με… / Mind your own business. Leave me alone…

 

#8. σώνει και καλά: in any way.

We use it to express something negative.

Example:

Α. Η Μαρίνα θέλει σώνει και καλά να κοιμηθεί στη φίλη της απόψε. / Marina wants to sleep over at her friend’s tonight.

Β: Όχι. Να την πάρεις τηλέφωνο και να της πεις να γυρίσει αμέσως. / No. Call her and tell her to come back immediately.

 

#9. τα πηγαίνω (πάω) καλά με κάποιον: to get along with someone.

Example:

Αν και δε συμφωνούμε πάντα, τα πηγαίνουμε καλά. / Even though we don’t always agree, we get along well with each other.

 

PublicDomainPictures @ Pixabay

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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. Simon:

    This kind of information is very useful – thanks.