The most common Greek words which can be used to give positive or negative answers are «ναι» (“nai”, yes) and «όχι» (“ohi”, “no”).  In oral speech, we use many expressions, polite and formal, or more conversational. Below, there are some examples of the use of these exressions.

Positive Answers

• Ναι (nai) :yes

Ex: «Σου αρέσει το φόρεμά μου;» «Ναι.» (“Sou aresei to forema mou?” “ Nai”)

“Do you like my dress?” “Yes.”

• Αμέ (ame): sure

Αμέ is colloquial and is used in Southern Greece mostly.

Ex: «Θα έρθεις στο πάρτι μου το Σάββατο;» «Αμέ!» (“Tha ertheis sto party mou to Savvato?” “Ame!”)

“Will you come to my party on Saturday?” “Sure”

• Εννοείται (ennoeitai): litteraly it means “it’s meant” . It’s colloquial and is used to express  a positive affirmation with passion. It can be translated in many ways, depending on the context.

Ex: «Μην πεις στην Σοφία ότι μου αρέσει!» «Εννοείται!» (“Min peis sti Sophia oti mou aresei!” “Ennoeitai!”)

“Don’t tell Sophia that I like her!” “Absolutely not!”

• Βεβαίως / Βέβαια (veveos, vevea): of course

Βεβαίως  is an older type.

Ex: «Μήπως ξέρετε πού είναι η οδός Νάξου;» «Βεβαίως.» (“Mipos xerete pou einai I odos Naxou?” “Veveos.”)

• Φυσικά (fysika): Of course, certainly.

Ex: «Εσείς πιστεύετε ότι είναι καλό αυτό το σχολείο;» «Φυσικά.»(“Eseis pistevete oti einai kalo afto to sholeio?” “Fysika.”)

“Do you believe this is a good school?” “Certainly.”

• Μάλιστα (malista): yes

In Ancient Greek μάλιστα means “mostly”. In Modern Greek it has the same meaning as ναι (yes) is more respectful.

Ex: «Συγγνώμη, μήπως είστε η κυρία Αλεξίου;» «Μάλιστα.» (“Signomi, mipos eiste I kiria Alexiou?” “Malista.”)

“Excuse-me, is this Mrs. Alexiou?” “Yes.”

 

Negative answers

• Όχι (ohi): No

Ex: «Σου άρεσε η ταινία;» «Όχι.»  (“Sou arese I tainia?” “Ohi.”)

“Did you like the movie?” “No.”)

• Με τίποτα (me tipota): no way

It’s colloquial and literally it means “with nothing”.

Ex: «Δε θέλεις να έρθεις μαζί μας στο πάρτι;» «Με τίποτα.» (“De theleis na ertheis mazi mass to party?” “Me tipota.”)

“Don’t  you want to come with us to the party?” “No way.”)

• Δεν υπάρχει περίπτωση (den iparhei periptosi): there’s no way

Ex: «Θα ξαναβγείς με τον Πέτρο;» «Δεν υπάρχει περίπτωση.» (“Tha ksanavgeis me ton Petro?” “Den iparhei periptosi.”)

“Will you go out with Petro again?” “There’s  no way.”

 

However, the simplest way to give a positive or a negative answer is to nod without saying a word. If you don’t know how, just watch the following video.