The most difficult phrases for foreigners to understand, are those who are not listed in dictionaries. They are commonly used when speaking but can be also found in texts. In this post, there is a list with some of the most common expressions with examples on their use.

#1. Ε, να

“Τι σου είπε ο Φώτης;” “Τα ίδια.” “Δηλαδή;” “Ε, να, ότι έμεινε χωρίς δουλειά, ότι χρωστάει τα νοίκια τεσσάρων μηνών, ότι χωρίζει με τη γυναίκα του…”

“What did Fotis tell you?” “The same things.” “Such as?” “Well, that he is left with no job, that he owes four months’ rent, that he is breaking up with his wife…”

#2. Μάλιστα

Ιn some contexts, it means certainly.

E.g. “Έναν χυμό πορτοκάλι παρακαλώ.” “Μάλιστα.”

“An orange juice, please.” “Certainly.”

However, it can also be translated as “ok”when it is used to end a conversation. It can also show disappointment or irritation.

E.g. “Τι κάνεις; Πήγες στο γιατρό;” “Ναι, όλα καλά, οι εξετάσεις μου ήταν πολύ καλές και σταμάτησα τα φάρμακα. Θα ξαναπάω σε έναν μήνα.” “Μάλιστα.”

“How are you? Did you go to the doctor?” “Yes, everything;s fine, my tests are very well and I stopped taking the medicines. I’ll go back in a month.” ‘Ok.”

E.g. “Τι σου είπε ο Φώτης;” “Τα ίδια.” “Δηλαδή;” “Ε, να, ότι έμεινε χωρίς δουλειά, ότι χρωστάει τα νοίκια τεσσάρων μηνών, ότι χωρίζει με τη γυναίκα του…” “Τα λεφτά μας θα μας τα δώσει;” “Τον άλλο μήνα είπε.” “Μάλιστα… Κατάλαβα…”

“What did Fotis tell you?” “The same things.” ‘such as?” “Well, that he is left with no job, that he owes four months’ rent, that he is breaking up with his wife…” “Will he give us our money?” “Next month, he said.” “Right… I got it…”

#3. (Μα) καλά

It is used emphatically.

E.g. “Η Μαρία δεν θα έρθει σήμερα.” “Μα καλά, δεν της είπες ότι πρέπει οπωσδήποτε να δει τον πελάτη σήμερα;” “Και βέβαια της το είπα!”

“Maria won’t come today.” “But didn’t you tell her that she should definitely meet the customer today?” “Of course I told her so!”

#4. Τέτοιος, τέτοια, τέτοιο

It means “such” and is used in many ways.

E.g. “Οι γονείς του Στέλιου τον αποκλήρωσαν.” “Καλά του έκαναν, τέτοιος που είναι”.

“Stelios’ parents disinherited him.” “He deserved it, as he’s such a person.” (In this context, Stelios is not a nice person).

E.g. Ο Στέλιος, αν και δεν είναι πλούσιος, έκανε μία δωρεά 5000 ευρώ στο νοσοκομείο του νησιού. Τέτοιος άνθρωπος είναι!

Even though Stelios is not rich, he donated 5000 euros to the hospital of the island. he’s that kind of man!

#5. Καλέ

It is the vocative case of καλός and is used when addressing men or women. Although it is not an endearment term, the closest translation would be dear. It can also express surprise doubt, irritation, and sarcasm.

E.g. “Γεια σου Πέτρο!” “Πού είσαι εσύ, καλέ; Δε σε βλέπω τελευταία, είσαι καλά;”

“Hi Petro?” “How are you, dear? I don’t see you lately, are you well?” Note that in this context “πού είσαι” doesn’t mean where are you but how are you.

E.g. “Η Λίλη λέει σε όλους ότι δεν την βοηθήσαμε καθόλου όταν μας χρειάστηκε.” “Τι λέει καλέ; Και ποιος έμενε μαζί της κάθε βράδυ στο νοσοκομείο;”

“Lily tells everyone that we didn’t help her when she needed us.” “What is she talking about? And who was staying every night with her at the hospital?”

It is also used to express disagreement but in this case it can be rude and should be used only with people we know well.

E.g. “Ο πρωθυπουργός δεν μου αρέσει καθόλου. Δεν κάνει τίποτα σωστό.” “Τι λες, καλέ!”

“I don’t like the prime minister at all. He doesn’t do anything right.” “What is this nonsense you’re saying?”

 #6. Από πού κι ως πού;

It doesn’t mean “from where to where?” It is an idiomatic expression which shows surprise or irritation.

E.g. “Η Μαρίνα θέλει να γίνει ηθοποιός.” “Από πού κι ως πού;”

“Marina wants to be an actress.” “How come?” (the meaning is that Marina has no talent at all)

E.g. “Μου χρωστάς δέκα ευρώ.” “Από πού κι ως πού;” “Πλήρωσα τα εισιτήρια για το σινεμά.” “Ναι, αλλά εγώ πλήρωσα το φαγητό μετά.”

“You owe me ten euros.” “What gave you that idea?” “I paid the movie theater tickets.” “Yes, but I paid the dinner after.”

#7. Άστα!

Literally, it means “leave it”. It is used to mean “don’t ask!”

E.g. “Τι έγινες χθες; Σε περίμενα!” ‘Άστα, τράκαρα με το αυτοκίνητο!”

“What happened to you yesterday? I had been waiting for you!” ‘Don’t ask, I had a car crash!”

#8. Καν και καν

It means any kind.

E.g. “Ευχαριστώ πολύ για τη βοήθειά σου!” “Μα τι λες; Έχω βοηθήσει καν και καν, την αδερφή μου δεν θα βοηθούσα;”

“Thank you very much for your help!” “But what are you saying? I’ve helped any kind of people, why wouldn’t I help my sister?”

E.g. Σε αυτό το μπαρ συχνάζουν καν και καν.

Any kind of people frequent this bar. In this case, καν και καν has a negative connotation.

#9. Ουστ!

It is an interjection that was used to send away stray dogs. It is very rude to use it to people.

E.g. Ουστ από το μαγαζί μου!

Get out of my shop!  Note that the phrase “Έξω από το μαγαζί μου!” (out of my shop) would be less agressive.

E.g. Ο δήμαρχος ζητάει να τον ξαναψηφίσουμε. Ρε, ουστ!

The mayor is asking us to vote him. No way! (Ρε ουστ is insulting for the parson we talk about and more intense than “no way”).

As always, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or more suggestions. Γεια σας!

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