What is Ohi Day, and what role does it play in Greek culture?
Simply put, on Ohi Day, Greece commemorates the day on which the Greek prime minister refused an ultimatum provided by the Italians in 1940. This significant action led to (and took place at the same time as) a chain of events that unraveled throughout WWII and the Greco-Italian War.
In this article, you’ll learn the most essential Ohi Day facts: its history, current celebrations, and related vocabulary.
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1. Ohi Day Foundations: What is Ohi Day in Greece?
On Ohi Day, we celebrate the anniversary of OHI (NO). It’s a day of national celebration and a holiday, in memory of the “no” that the Greek prime minister and dictator Ioannis Metaxas answered to the Italian government’s ultimatum, received via the Italian ambassador, that demanded the free access of Italian troops to Greece.
Metaxas refused this imperialistic policy of the Italian fascist Benito Mussolini, also known as Douche, on the very same day that the Italian troops invaded Epirus. So, the involvement of Greece in World War II began with the Greco-Italian War.
The Italians retreated in the spring of 1941. This first victory of the Allies against the Axis powers boosted the morale in enslaved Europe. What followed, however, was the German invasion of Greece and the Occupation that lasted four horrible years.
During the Greco-Italian War, music and front-page caricatures boosted morale in Greece. Sofia Vembo was the national voice that provided encouragement to the Greek soldiers on the front line with patriotic and satiric songs such as “Children of Greece, Oh Children,” “Douche puts on His Uniform,” and “Sucker Mussolini.”
2. When is Ohi Day in Greece?
Each year, Greeks commemorate Ohi Day on October 28.
3. Ohi Day Celebrations & Traditions
Today, every year during the events on October 28, especially during school events, these songs are always heard. Other popular songs include “Women of Epirus” and the marches “Pindos,” “Renowned Macedonia,” and “Little Evzone,” especially in parades.
The military and student parades that take place on this day have special solemnity, and in some cases wounded war veterans participate as well. However, due to their advanced age, there are fewer and fewer veterans participating each year.
More Ohi Day celebrations include general flag decorations, wreath laying at various military memorials in the country, and of course, our National Anthem. Its name is “Hymn to Liberty” and it’s usually heard at the end of the events. As a show of respect, we must always stand when we hear it.
Mussolini was satirized perhaps more than any other individual of that time. Musical revues, songs, and caricatures always depict him being weaker than the Greeks, who are usually shown wearing tsarouhia, the Greek traditional shoes.
4. What Did Metaxas Really Say?
Historically, Metaxas did not just reply with a simple “no.” Do you know how exactly he replied?
Metaxas replied to the Italian ambassador in French, which is an official diplomatic language, and said Alors, c’est la guerre!, in other words “So, this means war!” This refusal went through the Greek press with the word “NO,” hence the name “Anniversary of NO.”
5. Essential Ohi Day Vocabulary
Here’s the essential vocabulary you should know for Ohi Day in Greece!
Όχι. (Óhi.) — “No.”
επέτειος του «ΟΧΙ» (epétios tu OHI) — “Ohi Day”
Ιταλός (Italós) — “Italian”
Ιωάννης Μεταξάς (Ioánis Metaxás) — “Ioannis Metaxas”
πατριωτικό τραγούδι (patriotikó tragúdi) — “patriotic song”
To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, alongside relevant images, check out our Ohi Day vocabulary list!
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You may be wondering how to say sorry in learning Greek, and this is a good thing! It’s so important, actually, that we’ve dedicated this article to explaining how to say sorry in Greek phrases.
When it comes to expressing regret, the phrase “I’m sorry” is the most common. However, another way to express it is through a more formal apology. Did you know that the word “apology” has ancient Greek roots? Indeed it emerges from the Greek word απολογία (apoloyía) which means “apology.” More specifically, it consists of two parts: [από (apó) — “from”] + [λόγος (lógos) — “speech”].
Greeks are kind-hearted and polite people, so no need to worry if you do make a mistake. Simply apologize in a proper way, and everything will be fine.
Regardless of the occasion, GreekPod101.com is here to teach you how to say you’re sorry in Greek for a wide variety of occasions. In this article, we’ll provide you with almost all of the potential alternatives. As in English, in Greek there are many relative expressions, such as “I’m sorry,” “Apologies,” “Many apologies,” and more. Each one of them can be used in a different setting. Some of them are more formal, others are slang expressions, and still others are used in everyday life between friends.
So, let’s begin! Start with a bonus, and download your FREE cheat sheet – How to Improve Your Greek Skills!(Logged-In Member Only)
We all make mistakes every day. Especially when you get in touch with people from different countries, it’s likely that you don’t know all the proper customs. So, saying you’re sorry in an informal environment is an integral part of everyday life. Especially in Greece, offering an apology in a formal or a business environment can be highly appreciated and can get you through some uncomfortable situations.
The most simple and common way to say “I’m sorry” is by saying Συγγνώμη (Signómi), meaning “Sorry.” Let’s have a look at the first example below.
Example 1: Συγγνώμη (Signómi) — “Sorry”
Greek: Συγγνώμη που άργησα.
Romanization: Signómi pu áryisa.
Translation: “Sorry for being late.”
Are you often late? Wondering how to say “Sorry I’m late” in Greek , because you know you’ll need it? No problem! (But, seriously, try not to be late often; it’s not polite, even if Greeks tend to be late!) You can use the above example to say you’re sorry for being late. In any other case, when talking with friends, a simple Συγγνώμη might do the job, if the other individual knows what went wrong. If it’s not clear what you’re apologizing for, Συγγνώμη should probably be accompanied by the reason you’re sorry.
Tip: You don’t need to know all the possible reasons that might arise. You can simply use the following general phrases, shown in the following two examples.
Example 2: Σου ζητώ συγγνώμη (Su zitó signómi) — “I apologize” / Literally: “I am asking you to forgive me.”
Greek: Σου ζητώ συγγνώμη για αυτό που έκανα.
Romanization: Su zitó signómi ya aftó pu ékana.
Translation: “I apologize for what I’ve done.” / “I am asking you to forgive me for what I’ve done.”
With the phrase shown in example two, you actually ask for forgiveness, rather than simply stating that you’re sorry. It can also be used as a standalone phrase, by simply saying Σου ζητώ συγγνώμη (Su zitó signómi), when the other person knows what you’re apologizing for.
Example 3: Λυπάμαι (Lipáme) — “I’m sorry” / “I feed sad”
Greek: Λυπάμαι για αυτό που έγινε.
Romanization: Lipáme ya aftó pu éyine.
Translation: “I’m sorry for what happened.” / Literally: “I feel sad for what happened.”
Λυπάμαι (Lipáme), literally means “I am sad.” It can be used as an alternative to Συγγνώμη (Signómi), but it is merely used when something really bad happened, regardless of if it was your fault or not. For example, when someone passes away, you can use Λυπάμαι to express that you’re sorry for the family, in accordance with the English phrase “I’m sorry.” It’s a good place to start when learning how to say “Sorry for your loss” in Greek, or even “I am sorry to hear that.”
2. Saying I’m Sorry Formally
In a formal setting, saying you’re sorry isn’t difficult either. In the two examples below, you can learn how to apologize for being late to a formal occasion. There’s typically no difference between their meanings, so just choose whichever you like.
Example 1: Σας ζητώ συγγνώμη (Sas zitó signómi) — “I apologize”
Greek: Σας ζητώ συγγνώμη για την καθυστέρηση.
Romanization: Sas zitó signómi ya tin kathistérisi.
Translation: “I apologize for the delay.”
The phrase Σας ζητώ συγγνώμη (Sas zitó signómi) means “I apologize” and it’s often accompanied by a noun or a noun expression representing the reason why you’re sorry.
Example 2: Με συγχωρείτε (Me sighoríte) — “Forgive me” / “Pardon me” / “Excuse me”
Greek: Με συγχωρείτε που δεν μπόρεσα να έρθω νωρίτερα.
Romanization: Me sinhoríte pu den bóresa na értho norítera.
Translation: “Forgive me for not being able to come earlier.”
On the contrary, the phrase Με συγχωρείτε (Me sihoríte), also stands perfectly on its own, (i.e. without stating a reason). In addition, Με συγχωρείτε is widely used when trying to pass by people in a crowded area. In that case, its meaning is similar to the English “pardon me” or “excuse me.”
As in any other formal occasions, please note that in Greek, the honorific plural is used, as demonstrated in the above examples.
3. Saying I’m Sorry Desperately
Have you ever felt extremely sad for an incident, and wanted to say you’re sorry in a more…desperate way? We’ve got you covered.
Greeks are very expressive people and aren’t afraid to show remorse. That said, here are the most common ways to express your deepest apologies in Greek.
Example 1: Χίλια συγγνώμη (Hília signómi) — “Apologies” / Literally: “One thousand apologies”
Greek: Χίλια συγγνώμη, δεν ήξερα τι έπρεπε να κάνω.
Romanization: Hília signómi, den íksera ti éprepe na káno.
Translation: “Many apologies, I didn’t know what I was supposed to do.” (Literally: “One thousand apologies, I didn’t know what I was supposed to do.)
This is a very common expression, which expresses deep guilt and it can be used in both formal and informal settings. After all, who wouldn’t forgive you if you offered one thousand apologies?
Example 2: Σας ζητώ ταπεινά συγγνώμη (Sas zitó tapiná signómi) — “I humbly apologize”
Greek: Σας ζητώ ταπεινά συγγνώμη για το λάθος μου.
Romanization: Sas zitó tapiná signómi ya to láthos mu.
Translation: “I humbly apologize for my mistake.”
As the American actor Kevin Hart said: “Being humble matters.” So, by apologizing in a humble way, you truly express your regret. This phrase shows a more formal tone and therefore it’s most commonly used in unfortunate formal occasions. In Greece, it’s often used by someone when talking to a person of superior status, given that the incident which took place or the mistake that was made was really serious.
Example 3: Ειλικρινά συγγνώμη (Ilikriná signómi) — “Honestly I’m sorry”
Greek: Ειλικρινά συγγνώμη για ό,τι έγινε.
Romanization: Ilikriná signómi ya ó,ti éygine.
Translation: “Honestly I am sorry for what happened.”
The third example demonstrates another way to express how sorry you are, by saying that you’re honestly sorry for what happened. Nevertheless, it’s regarded as a formal expression.
4. Slang Phrases to Say I’m Sorry
Of course, as in any other language, in Greek there are some slang expressions to express an apology. Although we strongly advise that you don’t use them, as they’re not quite proper, we’re presenting two of the most common examples, so that you’ll be able to recognize them if you happen to hear them.
Example 1: Σόρι (Sóri) — “Sorry”
Greek: Σόρι, φίλε μου.
Romanization: Sóri, fíle mu.
Translation: “Sorry, my friend.”
Despite the fact that this is a phrase you’ll hear being said amongst Greek teenagers and young people, it can be accepted as an apology in other occasions too, as almost all Greeks tend to integrate English words and phrases into their vocabulary.
Example 2: Παρντόν (Pardón) — “Sorry”
Greek: Παρντόν. Δικό μου το λάθος.
Romanization: Pardón. Dikó mu to láthos.
Translation: “Sorry. My mistake.”
This is a more old-fashioned slang phrase that has a French origin. It was quite popular amongst males who wanted to appear dominant in the 70s and 80s. Today, it’s still used every now and then as a slang phrase, but not as often as the former.
5. Other Phrases to Say I’m Sorry
Here are some alternative phrases that can be used to say you’re sorry. More or less, all of the expressions below can be used regardless of the formality of the occasion.
Example 1: Δεν θα το ξανακάνω (Den tha to xanakáno) — “I won’t do it again”
Greek: Καταλαβαίνω τι έγινε και δεν θα το ξανακάνω.
Romanization: Katalavéno ti éyine ke den tha to xanakáno.
Translation: “I understand what happened and I won’t do it again.”
Example 2: Δεν το εννοούσα (Den to enoúsa) — “I didn’t mean it”
Greek: Συγγνώμη για αυτό που είπα. Δεν το εννοούσα.
Romanization: Signómi ya aftó pu ípa. Den to enoúsa.
Translation: “Sorry for what I’ve said. I didn’t mean it.”
Example 3: Ελπίζω να με συγχωρέσεις (Elpízo na me sinhorésis) — “I hope you’ll forgive me”
Greek: Καταλαβαίνω το λάθος μου και ελπίζω να με συγχωρέσεις.
Romanization: Katalavéno to láthos mu ke elpízo na me sinhorésis.
Translation: “I understand my mistake and I hope you will forgive me.”
Example 4: Αναλαμβάνω την πλήρη ευθύνη (Analamváno tin plíri efthíni) — “I take full responsibility”
Greek: Αναλαμβάνω την πλήρη ευθύνη για αυτό που έγινε.
Romanization: Analamváno tin plíri efthíni ya aftó pu éyine.
Translation: “I take full responsibility for what happened.”
Example 5: Δεν έπρεπε να το είχα κάνει (Den éprepe na to íha káni) — “I shouldn’t have done it”
Greek: Ειλικρινά το μετάνιωσα. Δεν έπρεπε να το είχα κάνει.
Romanization: Ilikriná to metániosa. Den éprepe na to íha káni.
Translation: “I honestly regret it. I shouldn’t have done it.”
Example 6: Είναι δικό μου (το) λάθος (Íne dikó mu [to] láthos) — “It’s my mistake”
Greek: Είναι δικό μου (το) λάθος και δεν θα ξανασυμβεί.
Romanization: Íne dikó mu (to) láthos ke den tha xanasimví.
Translation: “It was my mistake and it won’t happen again.”
Example 7: Σε παρακαλώ, μη μου θυμώνεις (Se parakaló, mi mu thimónis) — “Please, don’t be mad at me”
Greek: Σε παρακαλώ, μη μου θυμώνεις για αυτό που είπα.
Romanization: Se parakaló, mi mu thimónis ya aftó pu ípa.
Translation: “Please, don’t be mad at me for what I said.”
6. How to Reply to an Apology
Replying to an “I’m sorry” statement is common and polite in Greek culture. Here are some common phrases you can use when receiving an apology.
Example 1: Σε συγχωρώ (Se sinhoró) — “I forgive you”
Greek: Σε συγχωρώ, μην ανησυχείς.
Romanization: Se sinhoró, min anisihís.
Translation: “I forgive you, don’t worry.”
Forgiving someone is the simplest and most polite way to reply to an apology in Greek. So, when someone says Συγγνώμη (Signómi) meaning “I’m sorry,” or even a similar expression such as the ones mentioned above, the proper reply is Σε συγχωρώ (Se sinhoró) meaning “I forgive you.” However, in many cases an even more polite way to accept an apology is to say Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi) meaning “It’s alright” / “It doesn’t matter,” as shown in the example below. This phrase is most commonly used when the individual doesn’t use a phrase that includes being sorry, but uses another more descriptive phrase such as “It’s my fault” instead.
Example 2: Δεν πειράζει (Den pirázi) — “It’s alright” / “It doesn’t matter”
Greek: Δεν πειράζει, δεν έγινε τίποτα.
Romanization: Den pirázi, den éyine típota.
Translation: “It’s alright, nothing happened.”
Both examples above can be used as a reply in formal as well as informal settings. On the contrary, the next example demonstrates a more informal way to reply to an “I’m sorry” statement, which is usually used between friends.
Example 3: Συγχωρεμένος/-η (Sinhoreménos/ -i) — “You are forgiven”
Greek: Δεν πειράζει, συγχωρεμένος/-η.
Romanization: Den pirázi, sinhoreménos/-i.
Translation: “It’s alright, you are forgiven.”
In this case, Συγχωρεμένος (Sinhoreménos) is used when the person expressing an apology is male, and Συγχωρεμένη (Sinhoreméni) is used when the person is a female.
7. Cultural Insights
In Greece, saying you’re sorry or expressing an apology any other way is often accompanied by tilting the head a bit in the front and staring at the floor, as a sign of true remorse. The official religion of Greece has always been Orthodox Christianity, which is based on the concept of forgiveness, so the act of asking for forgiveness and forgiving is something deeply rooted in Greek culture. That makes learning how to say sorry in Greek culture very important!
Nowadays, youngsters tend to avoid the phrases that include the word Συγγνώμη and try to use more descriptive phrases, only when necessary. It’s believed that this is based on the revolutionary spirit of young people, who try to avoid admitting their mistakes to older people (e.g. their parents).
8. Conclusion
Generally, Greeks are polite and forgiving. So, don’t be concerned if you make a mistake. We all make mistakes, after all. Just use the most appropriate phrase from those demonstrated in this article to say you’re sorry and everything’s going to be fine.
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Each year, when many countries are celebrating Assumption Day, Greece holds Dormition Day celebrations. This holiday, also called the day of the Dormition of the Theotokos, is when most of Greece remembers the death of the Virgin Mary and her subsequent resurrection three days later.
If you’re asking yourself “What is Assumption Day, and how does it actually differ from Dormition?” consider this. While similar to the Assumption of Mary Day, Dormition has a greater focus on her death and resurrection, as opposed to only her assumption into Heaven.
Learn all about the Dormition of the Mother of God with GreekPod101.com, and increase your understanding of Greece’s fascinating culture and tradition. After all, this is the first step in truly mastering a language!
1. What is the Dormition of the Mother of God?
In the heart of the Greek summer, we celebrate with special solemnity the Dormition of the Mother of God, otherwise called Dekapendávgustos. In other words, the death of the Virgin Mary.
This Marian holiday is an official public holiday and is a day of joy rather than mourning, because the Virgin Mary was resurrected just like Christ. This is why it’s also called the Easter of Summer.
According to the religious tradition, the Virgin Mary was informed about her imminent death three days before by an angel. So she prepared herself, gave away all of her belongings, and prayed in the Mount of Olives. On the day of her death, not all of the Apostles were in Jerusalem, but a cloud took them and brought them close to her. After she died, the Apostles carried and buried her remains in the garden of Gethsemane. Three days later, the tomb was empty. The Virgin Mary was resurrected.
Is the Assumption a holy day of obligation?
Yes; the only exception is that if the date happens to fall on a Monday or Saturday, people aren’t expected to attend the mass for Assumption or Dormition.
2. When is Dormition?
Each year, the Dormition of the Mother of God is celebrated in Greece on August 15. This is the same date as the very similar Assumption Feast Day.
3. How is it Celebrated?
Since August is mainly a month of vacations and most Greeks are out of the cities, the celebrations of the Fifteen of August are especially intense in the islands and provinces, most notably wherever there is a church devoted to the Virgin Mary.
For example, every year, the church of Panagia Soumela in Imathia and the Ekatontapyliani in Paros “sink” from all the visitors. In Paros especially, a huge celebration is held, while dozens of traditional fishing boats with lit torches fill up the small picturesque port of Naousa.
The largest pilgrimage happens at the church of Megalohari in Tinos. There, thousands of faithful believers go up the paved road to the church. On the right, a mat is laid for those who go up the road on their knees in order to fulfill their votive offerings to the Virgin Mary. If you ever find yourself there, you’ll see people with wounded knees and tears in their eyes, who continue to go on through the strength of their faith. The celebrations culminate in the majestic procession and litany of the miraculous Holy Icon of Megalohari.
In Markopoulo of Cephalonia at the dome of the church, the harmless little snakes of the Virgin Mary appear. Greeks believe that the Virgin Mary transformed the nuns of an old monastery into snakes, to help them escape from the pirates.
4. Name Days
Do you know who has their name day on August 15?
The most popular names are Maria, Marios, Panagiota, Panagiotis, and Despina—all names that are related to the Virgin Mary. Maria is by far the most popular female name in Greece, something that shows the deep respect Greeks have for the Virgin Mary.
5. Vocabulary You Need to Know for Dormition
Here’s some vocabulary you should know for the Dormition of the Mother of God holiday in Greece!
Εκκλησία (eklisía) — “church”
Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου (Kímisi tis Theotóku) — “Dormition of the Mother of God”
Conclusion: How GreekPod101 Can Help You Master Greek
We hope this lesson gave you a fresh perspective on the strong faith of the Greek people in both their daily life, and during their most important religious holidays. Does your country celebrate Dormition (or Assumption)? If so, are celebrations similar or very different? Let us know in the comments!
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Greek is a lovely language and one that encompasses a deep, unique culture. It may be hard now, but know that once you’ve got it mastered, it’ll be all worth it. Best wishes from GreekPod101!
The Pentecostal holiday of Whit Monday (also called “Monday of the Holy Spirit” or “Pentecost Monday”) is a vital celebration in Greek culture. The Greek Church actually separated the celebrations of this holiday from those of Pentecost, to ensure that its meaning and significance are always recognized despite commemorating the same events.
By learning about the Whit Monday holiday, you’re also going to learn lots about Greek culture and values. Any successful language-learner can tell you that this is a fundamental step in actually mastering a language: Comprehending its culture.
And at GreekPod101.com, we hope to make this learning experience enjoyable and informative!
1. What is Whit Monday in Greece?
So, what is Pentecost Monday, as opposed to the Day of Pentecost?
Although Monday of the Holy Spirit is based on the same events as the ones of the Day of Pentecost, the Greek Church ensured that the Holy Spirit’s splendor wasn’t forgotten as one of three parts of the Trinity. To do so, it decided to split the two holidays.
This holiday celebrates the descension of the Holy Spirit onto earth, one of the most important aspects of the Christian faith.
2. When is Monday of the Holy Spirit?
The date of Monday of the Holy Spirit varies each year, as it always takes place fifty days after Easter. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.
2019: June 17
2020: June 8
2021: June 21
2022: June 13
2023: June 5
2024: June 24
2025: June 9
2026: June 1
2027: June 21
2028: June 5
3. Reading Practice: Monday of the Holy Spirit Traditions
How is Monday of the Holy Spirit celebrated in Greece?
This day is important to our Church because we “receive” the Holy Spirit, which always guides us to the greater good. Customs for Monday of the Holy Spirit vary from region to region. For example, on the island of Limnos, it’s custom to gather herbs like chamomile and sage for their therapeutic properties. In the olden days, people believed that this day was a “bad time,” meaning that bad things could happen, and for this reason, they were extremely careful. For example, people avoided going near the sea.
Read the Greek text below to learn all about unique Greek traditions, from region to region, for the Whit Monday holiday. You can find the English translation directly below it.
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Στη Σμίξη των Γρεβενών οι γυναίκες μοιράζουν πίτες, γλυκά και εφτάζυμο ψωμί με μυρωδικά. Στην Αλιμπίστα Αιτωλοακαρνανίας στήνεται πρωινό πανηγύρι. Μετά τη Θεία Λειτουργία, όλοι σχηματίζουν ουρά μπροστά από τον πλανόδιο χασάπη, ο οποίος κόβει ψητά αρνιά με τον μπαλτά. Πολλοί φέρνουν πίτες, τυριά και άλλα φαγητά για να συμπληρώσουν το γεύμα. Οι ρίζες του πανηγυριού αυτού χάνονται στον χρόνο και πολλοί δεν αποκλείουν το έθιμο αυτό να αποτελεί εξέλιξη ενός αρχαίου εθίμου, που σχετίζεται με την ανατολή του ηλίου και τη λατρεία του θεού Απόλλωνα.
Στον Βώλακα Δράμας το πρωί, νέοι με στολισμένα άλογα και μουλάρια ξεκινάνε για το ξωκλήσι του Αγίου Πνεύματος από την πλατεία του χωριού, ανεβαίνοντας το όρος «Φαλακρό». Ακολουθεί δοξολογία και πανηγύρι, όπου τρώνε το «κουρμπάνι», ένα παραδοσιακό φαγητό από κατσικάκι βραστό με χορταρικά. Έπειτα όλοι επιστρέφουν στην πλατεία του χωριού με τον ιερέα πάνω σε άλογο και την εικόνα μπροστά. Ακολουθούν γυναίκες με παραδοσιακά κρατώντας τα «δάκρυα της Παναγίας», ένα φυτό της περιοχής, και οι αναβάτες, οι οποίοι κάνουν επιδείξεις και αργότερα αλογοδρομίες.
Για πολλούς η γιορτή του Αγίου Πνεύματος σημαίνει μόνο ένα πράγμα; τριήμερο! Επειδή η μέρα αυτή είναι αργία για τους δημοσίους υπαλλήλους και τα σχολεία, πολλοί βρίσκουν την ευκαιρία για τριήμερες αποδράσεις ή απλά για ξεκούραση.
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In Smiksi of Grevena, women hand out pies, sweets, and chickpea pulp bread with herbs. In Alibista of Aetolia-Acarnania, a morning festival is organized. After the Divine Liturgy, everyone waits in line for the itinerant butcher, who carves roasted lamb with a cleaver. Many people bring pies, cheeses, and other foods to complement the meal. Time has shrouded the origins of this festival, and many people do not exclude the chance that this custom might be the development of an ancient custom that is related to the rise of the sun and the worship of god Apollo.
In Volakas of Drama in the morning, young people with decorated horses and mules start heading for the chapel of the Holy Spirit from the square of the village, by climbing Falakro Mountain. Praising hymns and a feast follow, where they eat the kourbani, a traditional food made from boiled young goat with greens. Later, everyone returns to the square of the village with the priest on a horse and the icon in the front. Women holding the “tears of the Virgin Mary,” a plant from the region, and wearing traditional clothing follow him, along with the jockeys, who perform demonstrations and later do horse races.
For many, the holiday of the Holy Spirit means only one thing: A three-day weekend! Because this day is a holiday for civil servants and schools, many people take the opportunity to have three-day long getaways or simply to rest.
4. The Holy Spirit’s Re-appearance
Do you know when and in what form the Holy Spirit re-appeared on Earth?
On the holiday of Epiphany, we saw the Holy Spirit appearing on Earth in the form of a dove, during the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by
St. John the Baptist.
5. Useful Vocabulary for Whit Monday in Greece
Here’s the most important vocabulary you should know for Monday of the Holy Spirit in Greece!
Εκκλησία (eklisía) — “Church”
Πεντηκοστή (Pendikostí) — “Pentecost”
Άγιο Πνεύμα (Ayio Pnévma) — “Holy Spirit”
Δευτέρα του Αγίου Πνεύματος (Deftéra tu Ayíu Pnévmatos) — “Monday of the Holy Spirit”
δημοτικό τραγούδι (dimotikó tragúdi) — “Folk song”
Θεία Λειτουργία (Thía Lituryía) — “Divine Liturgy”
To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our Monday of the Holy Spirit vocabulary list. Here, each word is listed alongside an audio file of its pronunciation and a relevant image.
Conclusion
What do you think about the Monday of Holy of the Spirit in Greece? Do you celebrate this holiday in your own country? Let us know in the comments; we always love to hear from you!
To learn more about Greek culture and the language, visit us at GreekPod101.com. We provide practical learning tools for every learner, and aim to make the learning process both fun and informative! Read more insightful blog posts, study up on your vocabulary, and chat with fellow Greek learners on our community forums! You can also upgrade to a Premium Plus account to learn Greek with our MyTeacher program, which offers you one-on-one and personalized teaching with your own teacher.
Know that your hard work in learning Greek will pay off, and you’ll be speaking like a native before you know it! And GreekPod101 will be with you for each step of your language-learning journey.
Learning a new language can always be a challenge. However, watching movies can certainly help you learn Greek in an easy and fun way. Develop your listening skills and get to know Greek customs and culture through Greek cinematography.
From comedies to dramas, and modern situations to historical ones, Greek movies demonstrate a wide variety of genres and we’re sure you’ll find a movie of your taste.
In this blog, we’re presenting some of the most popular Greek movies and quotes, aiming to encourage you to combine learning with entertainment. Our recommended Greek movies should help you do that without a hitch! Here are some tips to improve your pronunciation while watching movies in Greek.
This is an experiential film by Tassos Boulmetis, who is also the director. Tassos was born and raised in Constantinople (Istanbul) and narrates the issue of the prosecution of Greeks by the Turkish authorities in 1964. During this period, many Greeks were forced to leave their homes in Constantinople and move to Greece.
A Touch of Spice approaches this dramatic situation through traditional cooking and sets the family dinner as the glue that keeps the family together, no matter how harsh the circumstances are. So, get ready for a unique experience enhanced with emblematic music.
Greek quote: Η ζωή μας, για να νοστιμήσει, θέλει αλάτι.
Romanization:I zoí mas, ya na nostimísi, théli aláti.
Meaning: “Our life needs some salt in order to become more ‘tasty.’” (Tasty meaning “interesting”).
2. What if…. (2012)
Greek Title: Αν… Romanization:An… English Title: “What if…”
Have you ever wondered what could have happened differently in your life if you had made different choices? Then this is definitely the movie for you. Meet Dimitris, a confirmed bachelor and his dog named Lonesome. Follow him in this adventure of parallel stories and remember…each and every little decision we make might seriously influence certain aspects of the future or even our whole life. The film is set in Athens, Greece during the years of the extended economic recession.
Greek quote: Αν σε γνώριζα, όλα θα ήταν αλλιώς…
Romanization:An se gnóriza, óla tha ítan alliós…
Meaning: “If I knew you, everything would be different…”
3. The Island 1 & 2 (2009, 2011)
Greek Title: Νήσος
Romanization:Nísos
English Title: “The Island”
This is a modern Greek comedy set on a Greek island. During this film, you’ll get close to the small island community centered around its most important figures: the mayor, the priest, the policeman, and the teacher. When a wealthy villager dies, his will includes the donation of a huge amount of money to various functional units of the village. However, in order to receive the money, certain terms and conditions should be met, which perplex everyone and reveal even the deepest secrets. The film was shot on the picturesque island of Sifnos, thus offering great views and scenery.
Greek quote: Όλον αυτόν τον καιρό το νησί μιλά για εμάς τους τέσσερις.
Romanization:Ólon aftón ton keró to nisí milá ya emás tus téseris.
Meaning: “During all this time, the whole island is talking about us four.”
4. Little England (2013)
Greek Title: Μικρά Αγγλία
Romanization:Mikrá Anglía
English Title: “Little England”
This is a Greek drama film of an unfulfilled love set on the small island of Andros at the beginning of the twentieth century. Greeks were famous for being great sailors, so many islanders chose this location in order to be able to provide for their families. Women of course were left behind to take care of their children, while their husbands were working on ships. This film focuses on a family consisting of two sisters, Orsa and Moscha. Will love lead the two sisters into conflict? How is the family balance affected? Get lost in this passionate film and find out.
Greek quote: Ευλογημένοι όσοι αγαπούν και αγαπιούνται τρελά.
Romanization:Evloyiméni ósi agapún ke agapiúnde trelá.
Meaning: “Blessed are those who love and are being madly loved in return.”
5. 5 More Minutes (2006)
Greek Title: 5 λεπτά ακόμα
Romanization: 5 leptá akóma
English Title: “5 More Minutes”
Tasos is madly in love with Alice until…he dies! However, “till death do us part” doesn’t make any sense to him, as even after death nothing about his feelings has changed. After reaching the Beyond, he is granted with five more minutes to use on Earth as he sees fit. This is a great Greek comedy, which you’ll certainly enjoy.
Greek quote: Τυφλώθηκες από τη ζήλεια σου.
Romanization:Tiflóthikes apó ti zília su.
Meaning: “You were blinded by your jealousy.”
6. The Bachelor I & II (2016, 2017)
Despite her father’s intense objections, the daughter of a famous heart surgeon is ready to marry the young grave digger she’s in love with. Having absolute trust in him, she arranges a bachelor party with his three childhood friends. This could be thought of as a similar Greek version of The Hangover movie, showcasing hilarious moments of similar caliber.
Greek quote: Παντρεύεται ο Αντώνης.
Romanization:Pandrévete o Andónis.
Meaning: “Antonis is getting married.”
7. Brides (2004)
Greek Title: Νύφες
Romanization:Nífes
English Title: “Brides”
This story is set in 1922 in Smyrni (Izmir), after the disaster of Asia Minor. This Greek drama film focuses on the story of a mail-order bride, specifically one of the seven-hundred sailing to America. Sending brides abroad was perceived as a chance for a better life, for both the girl and her family. The film approaches this storyline in an elegant yet shocking way. Young women are basically sent to their future husbands abroad, who get to know each other only through a photo and a letter. This is a clearly dramatic situation, but will love arise? Watch this film starring Damian Lewis amongst others, enjoy, and find out how this all unfolds.
Greek quote: Έχεις τόσο όμορφα μάτια!
Romanization:Éhis tóso ómorfa mátia!
Meaning: “You have such beautiful eyes!”
8. Perfect Strangers (2016)
Greek Title: Τέλειοι ξένοι
Romanization:Télii xéni
English Title: “Perfect Strangers”
Once seven friends meet up for dinner during a full moon on Friday night, they decide to play a game: Placing their mobile phones on the table and reading out loud each text or message they receive, as well as taking each call they receive on speakerphone. As a result, deep secrets are revealed, which shake their lives and threaten their relationships. This film is based on the Italian movie Perfetti Sconosciuti, including significant adjustments in order to integrate Greek customs and culture.
Greek quote: Τι μυστικά να έχουμε; Γνωριζόμαστε όλοι πλέον πάρα πολύ καλά.
Romanization:Ti mistiká na éhume? Gnorizómaste óli pléon pára polí kalá.
Meaning: “What secrets could we possibly have? We all know each other really well already.”
9. Α Bee in August (2007)
Greek Title: Μια μέλισσα τον Αύγουστο
Romanization:Mia mélissa ton Ávgusto
English Title: “A Bee in August”
Set on a secluded beach accessible only by boat, four friends are having fun by the sea. However, this is a strange combination of people, as the group consists of Haris, his wife, his mistress, and his half-German sister. By the time Haris gets stung by a bee, he realizes he’s allergic and everyone is trying to find a solution. A Bee in August was shot on a secluded beach in Halkidiki, Northern Greece and is a must-see Greek comedy film.
Greek quote: Σε τσίμπησε μια μέλισσα, αυτό είναι όλο, τέλος.
Romanization:Se tsímbise mia mélissa, aftó íne ólo, télos.
Meaning: “You got stung by a bee, that’s it, the end.”
10. Worlds Apart (2015)
Greek Title: Ένας άλλος κόσμος
Romanization:Énas álos kózmos
English Title: “Worlds Apart”
This Greek romantic drama film is composed of three parallel stories which take place in Athens, Greece, during the years of economic recession. Racism, unemployment, love, and passion are combined in order to create a clear view of contemporary Greece. Three mini stories, centered around three different generations of Greeks create a romantic drama to remember, for sure.
Greek quote: Μην μπερδεύεις τη γερμανική πολιτική με τον γερμανικό λαό.
Romanization:Min berdévis ti yermanikí politikí me ton yermanikó laó.
Meaning: “Don’t confuse German politics with German people.”
11. How Can Watching Greek Movies Help You Improve Your Greek?
Watching Greek movies is a great way for you to improve your Greek, especially your listening and speaking skills. In addition, these films aren’t usually created for Greek language learners; they’re made for native Greek speakers. So, the language used is exactly how you hear it in real life—it’s spoken quickly and sometimes you come across different accents, idioms, and colloquialisms.
However, you can never fully understand a language until you get to know its cultural background. Films also work exceptionally in this way, as you can see how people live in Greece now, as well as in the past. Indeed, this might be the most magical part of learning—understanding a new way of life, including customs and cultural characteristics.
GreekPod101.com is here to point out quality Greek movies for you, which can really help you reach your language learning goals. Stay tuned for more inspirational articles and useful lists. In the meantime, enjoy watching some of the all-time greatest Greek movies!
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May Day (otherwise known as Labor Day, or Labor Day weekend in some places) has its roots in antiquity.
Back then, the Greeks, as well as many other people of Europe, celebrated the final victory of spring against winter, something that would bring fertility and life to nature and, by extension, to humans.
The word “May” itself is believed to have originated from the Roman goddess Maia, who took her name from Maia, one of the Pleiades. The word maia back then meant wet nurse and mother. The celebrations of antiquity were, of course, altered over time, but they survive today as simple folk traditions.
Taking this historical context and examining it in light of more recent events and current traditions, you’ll uncover so much about Greece’s culture. Let GreekPod101.com show you everything you need to know about May 1 Day in Greece!
1. What is Labor Day?
May 1, otherwise known as Protomayá (“May Day”), is a holiday dedicated to spring and the flowers. It’s also called International Workers’ Day in memory of the uprising of the workers of Chicago on May 1886, who were demanding an eight-hour working schedule and better working conditions.
For the labor unions, this is a day to strike, while for the rest it’s simply a public holiday. Thus, Labor Day’s meaning varies based on who you ask and who’s celebrating. Regardless, May Day in Greece is a day of historical significance and modern-day fun.
2. When is Labor Day?
Each year, May 1st Day is celebrated on—May 1st! The perfect time of year to collect Greek flowers and observe the following Greek customs for May Day.
3. How is Labor Day Celebrated?
How is May 1 celebrated in Greece? Read the Greek text below (and find the English translation directly below it) to learn about Greek customs during Protomagia.
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Στην Ελλάδα το πιο γνωστό έθιμο της Πρωτομαγιάς είναι το πρωτομαγιάτικο στεφάνι. Πολλοί εκμεταλλεύονται την αργία και πηγαίνουν εκδρομές στην ύπαιθρο για να μαζέψουν αγριολούλουδα και πρασινάδες, που θα πλέξουν σε στεφάνι και θα κρεμάσουν στις πόρτες τους απ’ έξω. Το έθιμο αυτό φέρνει τους ανθρώπους πιο κοντά στη φύση, ακόμα και όσους ζουν στις πόλεις. Το στεφάνι ξεραίνεται και παραμένει στις πόρτες ως τη γιορτή του Αϊ-Γιαννιού, όπου στην επαρχία το καίνε στις φωτιές που ανάβουν.
Σε πολλές περιοχές ο Μάης ενσαρκώνεται στο «Μαγιόπουλο». Στο έθιμο αυτό ένα παιδί στολισμένο με λουλούδια τριγυρνάει στους δρόμους του χωριού μαζί με συνοδεία, και όλοι χορεύουν και τραγουδάνε τραγούδια για τον Μάη. Στη Ναύπακτο το Μαγιόπουλο συνοδεύεται από γέρους φουστανελάδες που κρατούν κουδούνια στολισμένα με ανθισμένη ιτιά. Το έθιμο αυτό, με ελάχιστες παραλλαγές, λέγεται «πιπεριά» στη βόρεια Εύβοια. Από τα χαράματα οι νέες του χωριού σκεπάζουν το σώμα μιας λυγερόκορμης κοπέλας με λουλούδια και φτέρες. Της κρεμάνε και ένα κουδούνι και αυτή είναι… η «πιπεριά».
Σε μερικά μέρη όλοι καταβρέχουν την «πιπεριά» και τραγουδάνε παρακαλώντας για βροχή, ενώ εκείνη υποκλίνεται σε όσους τη ραντίζουν. Λένε πως πολλές φορές μετά το γύρισμα της «πιπεριάς» στους δρόμους του χωριού, βρέχει!
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In Greece, the most well-known tradition of May Day is the May Day wreath. Many people take advantage of this holiday and go on field trips in the countryside to collect wild flowers and greenery, which they will then weave into a wreath that they hang outside their doors. This tradition brings people closer to nature, even those who live in the cities. The wreath dries up and remains on the doors until the celebration of St. John, where in the province it is burned in the fires that people ignite.
In many regions, May is personified with the May child. In this tradition, a child decorated with flowers wanders around the streets of the village with some escorts, and everyone dances and sings songs about May. In Nafpaktos, the May child is accompanied by elderly men who wear fustanela skirts and hold bells decorated with willow tree blossoms. This tradition, with a few variations, is called piperiá (“pepper tree”) in north Euboea. From the crack of dawn, the young girls of the village cover the body of a tall and beautiful young girl with flowers and ferns. They also hang a bell on her, making her piperiá.
In some places, everyone hoses down piperiá and sings pleas for rain, while she bows to those who sprinkle her. It’s said that very often after the stroll of piperiá on the streets of the village, it rains!
4. Additional Information
Do you know when the first May Day protest in Greece was?
It was in 1892 from the Central Socialist Association of Kallergis. Then another one followed the year after, with over 2,000 workers demanding an eight-hour working schedule, Sunday as a day off, and public health insurance for the victims of labor accidents. Nowadays on Protomagia, Greece holds protests, with the largest ones being in the center of Athens.
5. Must-know Vocab
Here’s some vocabulary you should know for May 1st Day in Greece!
το πήδημα της φωτιάς (to pídima tis fotiás) — “leaping through fire”
Προλεταριάτο (proletariáto) — “proletariat”
αμίλητο νερό (amílito neró) — “silent water”
εργατική τάξη (ergatikí táxi) — “working class”
Απεργία (aperyía) — “strike”
To hear the pronunciation of each word, check out our May 1st Day vocabulary list, where you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation.
Conclusion
As you can see, May 1 is a day of great celebration across Greece, both rooted in history and blossoming in light of the modern world. What do you think about Greece’s celebration of May 1? Does your country have similar (or very different) celebrations? Let us know in the comments!
To learn more about the culture of Greece and the Greek language, visit us at GreekPod101.com. We offer many tools to aid you in your language-learning journey, such insightful blog posts, an online community forum, and free vocabulary lists to expand your inner dictionary! You can also take advantage of our MyTeacher program to learn Greek with your own personal teacher.
Know that your studying and practice will pay off, and you’ll soon be speaking Greek—and talking about its culture—like a native! Best wishes in your language-learning journey!
230 days of sunshine, more than 200 scenic, inhabited islands, welcoming faces of people, and a relaxed lifestyle. Sounds great, right? Well, you’ll be able to experience all of these and even more if you decide to find a job in Greece and stay for an extended period of time.
Although Greece has gone through a vast economic recession, now it’s time for the country to flourish again. The government aims to encourage private investments and the demand for specialized employees has increased due to brain drain.
In this article, GreekPod101.com will share with you everything you need to know about finding a job in Greece. Here are some useful tips and inside information, in order to get you ready for an amazing life experience. Once you’ve found out more about jobs in Greece for English speakers and how to get them, you’ll be all set. So let’s get started.
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Without further ado, here’s our guide on how to find a job in Japan.
When it comes to searching for a job in Greece, there are plenty of choices. Ten to twenty years ago, the best way to land a job in Greece was by searching through job ads published in local newspapers. Although there are still newspapers publishing job ads, the game has been shifted towards job hunting through the Internet. In this section, we’ll present you with the most popular ways to find yourself some job opportunities so that you can begin working in Greece.
1- Finding a Job through Online Ads
There’s a wide variety of international, as well as local, websites where you can browse through job ads. All of them are keyword-based, which means you’ll have to enter a keyword related to the job you’re looking for and search through the results. Other filters are also available such as region, years of experience, etc.. So without further ado, here are some of the top Greek job hunting websites.
Xe.gr
“Xe” stands for “Χρυσή Ευκαιρία (Hrisí Efkería)” which is translated in English to “Golden Opportunity.” Xe.gr is a popular choice amongst employers, as well as candidates. On this website you can find a wide variety of job ads for positions throughout Greece. Currently it’s only available in Greek; however, they plan on offering English content soon.
Pros: A popular website in Greece with many job ads throughout the country.
Cons: Only available in Greek at the moment.
Indeed.com
Indeed is a leader in job hunting and it recently entered the Greek labor market. The user can browse through various job ads and a build-your-own-CV feature is also available. In addition, the CV can be sent directly to the company through the website.
Pros: Easy to use and available in a variety of languages.
Cons: Not very popular in Greece. If you know Greek at an advanced level, you’ll find the Greek version a bit odd. Localization didn’t go so well on that one.
Kariera.gr
Καριέρα (Kariéra) in Greek is “Career” in English. This is a really popular website for finding job opportunities in Greece. Many national, as well as international, organizations based in Greece prefer posting their vacancies on this website. This website also supports creating and sending a CV directly to the company.
Pros: Wide variety of job opportunities, mainly from large companies and organizations. Some ads are in English.
Cons: Only available in Greek. Not many blue collar jobs available.
Skywalker.gr
This website is a member of the group The Network, a worldwide organization which has created 37 local websites in 37 different countries. Each website is well-adjusted to the characteristics of different labor markets, offering a fully localized experience. For example, while offering job advertisements through the Greek website, skywalker.gr also periodically publishes a newspaper—often inserted into popular national newspapers—in order to facilitate individuals who don’t have access to electronic services, or who prefer the old, traditional way of job hunting in Greece.
Pros: Wide variety of job opportunities, mainly from large companies and organizations.
Cons: Only available in Greek.
Careerjet.gr
Careerjet is a popular search engine for jobs. This website gathers job ads from many different websites. Its search engine nature provides an easy way to find a job, as it grants you access to a selection of websites and companies looking to hire new personnel.
Pros: A wide variety of sources.
Cons: Only available in Greek.
2- Finding a Job in Greece through Recruitment Companies
This isn’t a very popular way to find a job in Greece amongst locals, though you can still give it a try. Just send your CV to a recruitment company with activity in Greece, and who knows? You might be able to find the job of your dreams. Most recruitment companies in Greece also offer selected job ads on their websites.
A huge advantage of recruitment companies is that they can inform you about everything related to your new life in Greece. They often take care of any paperwork needed, as well. Contacting a recruitment company can also be beneficial if you don’t speak Greek at a conversational level, as it functions as a mediator between the candidate and the company.
The following are some recruitment companies in Greece:
LinkedIn is the number one professional networking website in the world. For those who aren’t familiar with this special social network, the user is able to build a professional profile demonstrating all the important aspects of his career, as well as his skills, achievements, and professional experience. Basically, a personal LinkedIn profile functions as an electronic Curriculum Vitae.
However, LinkedIn also provides online job ads. Organizations, recruitment companies, and independent headhunters use this platform in order to find the most appropriate employee for a given job vacancy.
In Greece, over the past few years, the importance of LinkedIn has been highlighted. More and more companies are using it in order to find the perfect employee or even to simply widen their search. Nevertheless, LinkedIn is merely used in order to find highly specialized personnel.
4- Other Ways to Find a Job in Greece
Publicize your interest in finding a job in Greece. Do you have friends or relatives in Greece? Just talk to them. Word-of-mouth personal branding is one of the most effective ways to get you the job you want. Greeks are quite communicative and helpful—it’s not a coincidence that they’re famous for their hospitality.
Another way is to start sending your CV to companies based in Greece, that you ideally want to work for, regardless of the job ads you might find. Every well-established company will take into account a prestigious CV, even if there aren’t any vacancies at the moment.
Last but not least, if you’re already in Greece, don’t be shy. It’s common for people looking for a job to visit shops and leave a CV just in case. You can start by strolling around your neighborhood. Who knows? A good job opportunity might be around the corner.
2. Popular Job Categories for Foreigners in Greece
The knowledge of a foreign language at a native speaker level has always been a huge advantage in the Greek labor market. So, which jobs are the most popular amongst foreigners in Greece?
1- Tourism-related Jobs
Greece is a popular tourist destination, and offering information and services in the traveller’s native language just takes customer service to another level. Therefore, the Greek tourism industry is in high need of foreign employees. There’s a huge demand for Scandinavian, Russian, German, Spanish, and Italian speakers. Indeed, knowledge of Greek is often not required, but knowledge of English, along with your native language, is totally a must.
Tourism-related jobs are often available at the beginning of each summer season, which in Greece is pretty early, around mid-March or April, till the end of October. In addition, this category of jobs is in high demand on Greek islands and other popular tourist destinations, so many foreigners prefer them, as they combine holidays on sandy beaches with work.
2- Teaching Jobs
Another popular choice for foreigners is teaching their native language. In Greece there are many private educational organizations, where languages from all over the world are taught. In this case, a teaching degree is often needed. In addition, if you aim to teach young children, a conversational level of Greek language is almost a prerequisite. However, when it comes to teaching adults, knowledge of the English language along with your native language can also work, as adults in Greece have a really good knowledge of English. This allows you to explain everything in English.
3- Technology-related Jobs
Greece might be a well-developed country, but the recent economic crisis didn’t allow technology to drastically enter the everyday lives of its citizens until recently. Therefore, now, e-commerce, mobile app development, and electronic transactions have begun to flourish. This has led to an increase in the demand for technology-related professions. Foreigners have equal opportunities with locals and in many cases a knowledge of Greek isn’t mandatory.
3. Skills and Other Requirements
The procedure of finding a job in Greece is pretty much the same as in any other country. In order to search for a job, a well-written CV is a must. In Greece, a Europass template is quite popular and happily accepted. A motivation (or cover) letter isn’t required most of the time, as only multinational companies based in Greece might ask for one. By the end of the selection process, the company contacts all shortlisted candidates, usually through phone, and arranges an interview.
The interview is quite typical compared to other European countries. You might be asked to talk a little bit about yourself and your professional experience. Some large organizations or recruitment companies might put you through a skills test, which will complement the interview procedure, but there’s no standard here.
Hopefully these Greek CV tips and interview information will help you be your best for the best job out there!
Lastly, in order to be able to work legally in Greece, you’ll have to find an employer who will grant you with a work invitation. In this way, you can get a working VISA in Greece, which should be renewed every year. Working and living in Greece will be a breeze for you with your VISA.
4. Conclusion
As you can see, in Greece you can find a job even without speaking the language. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to find a better job if you do speak Greek. In addition, speaking Greek will make your stay and everyday life in Greece much easier. Start learning Greek today with GreekPod101.com and prepare yourself and the future of your career!
You can also visit the My teacher Page, where you can get in touch with our Greek teacher, discuss your needs, and start learning Business Greek.
Clean Monday (also known as Kathari Deftera or Καθαρά Δευτέρα) is a religious holiday in Greece, and marks the beginning of Lent. This is a holiday of great importance in the country, is a strong representation of what Christianity looks like in Greece, and provides a lot of important cultural insight.
Let GreekPod101.com guide you through all the facets of Ash Monday. This way, you can learn the Greek language in context, and gain much knowledge concerning the country and its people. Let’s get started!
1. What is Clean Monday in Greece?
Clean Monday is a particularly popular celebration. It is called Clean because on this day the Lent fast that cleanses the Christians spiritually and physically begins, while it is also the end of the frenzied celebrations of the Triodion. Clean Monday is a public holiday, so families take the opportunity to gather and celebrate the beginning of Lent together, 48 days before Easter.
2. When is Clean Monday?
The date of Clean Monday in Greece differs each year. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years:
2019: March 11
2020: March 2
2021: March 15
2022: March 7
2023: February 27
2024: March 18
2025: March 3
2026: February 23
2027: March 15
2028: February 28
3. Reading Practice: How is Clean Monday Celebrated?
Read the Greek text below to learn how Greeks celebrate Clean Monday! You can find the English translation directly below it.
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Για τους περισσότερους η Καθαρά Δευτέρα σημαίνει εκδρομές στην ύπαιθρο, πέταγμα χαρταετού, παραδοσιακή μουσική και φαγοπότι με νηστίσιμα φαγητά όπως η λαγάνα, ο ταραμάς, ο χαλβάς, η φασολάδα και τα καλαμαράκια. Η λαγάνα είναι ένα είδος επίπεδου άζυμου ψωμιού πασπαλισμένο με σουσάμι. Όσον αφορά τους χαρταετούς, παλιότερα οι άνθρωποι τους κατασκεύαζαν μόνοι τους με καλάμια και χαρτί. Επειδή όμως αυτό θέλει μαστοριά στο ζύγισμα για να μπορέσει να πετάξει ο χαρταετός, σήμερα οι περισσότεροι αγοράζουν έτοιμους. Τα έθιμα της καθαροδευτεριάτικης αυτής εξόδου λέγονται «κούλουμα».
Σε πολλές περιοχές της Ελλάδας τα κούλουμα γιορτάζονται με διαφορετικούς τρόπους. Για παράδειγμα στο Γαλαξίδι η Καθαρά Δευτέρα μόνο «καθαρή» δεν είναι, καθώς από το μεσημέρι και μετά λαμβάνουν χώρα τα διάσημα «αλευρομουτζουρώματα». Εκατοντάδες κάτοικοι και επισκέπτες συγκεντρώνονται στο λιμάνι όπου και διεξάγεται ένας απίστευτος πόλεμος με τόνους από αλεύρι, φούμο και λουλάκι. Τα κυνηγητά και τα πειράγματα συνεχίζονται μέχρι το σούρουπο. Το έθιμο αυτό είναι αρκετά διασκεδαστικό, αρκεί να τηρούνται οι απαραίτητες προφυλάξεις όπως η χρήση προστατευτικών γυαλιών, μάσκας και κατάλληλων ρούχων.
Πολλά έθιμα αυτή την ημέρα αναβιώνουν το θέμα του γάμου. «Του Κουτρούλη ο Γάμος» στη Μεθώνη ήταν ένας πραγματικός γάμος που άφησε εποχή τον 14ο αιώνα. Στη Θήβα ο «Βλάχικος γάμος», που έχει ήδη ξεκινήσει από την Τσικνοπέμπτη, κορυφώνεται με το ξύρισμα του γαμπρού και το στόλισμα της νύφης, η οποία στη πραγματικότητα είναι άντρας! Γενικά σ’ όλη την Ελλάδα πολλοί δήμοι προσφέρουν δωρεάν λαγάνες, φασολάδα, χαλβά και ελιές, όπως κάνει κάθε χρόνο ο Δήμος Αθηναίων στον Λόφο Φιλοπάππου και στο Άλσος Βεΐκου.
Η δωρεάν προσφορά φαγητού στις καθαροδευτεριάτικες εκδηλώσεις προσελκύει κάθε χρόνο μεγάλο αριθμό κόσμου, με αποτέλεσμα να δημιουργούνται τεράστιες ουρές στους πάγκους και να εξαντλούνται οι μερίδες μέσα σε πολύ λίγη ώρα.
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For most people, Clean Monday means excursions in the countryside, flying a kite, traditional music, and a feast with fasting foods such as lagana bread, taramas (salted and cured cod roe), halva, bean soup, and squid. Lagana is a type of flat unleavened bread sprinkled with sesame seeds. Regarding the kites, in the old days, people used to make them by themselves with reeds and paper. But because this requires good craftsmanship in the weighting so that the kite can fly, today most people buy ready-made ones. The customs of this Clean Monday outing are called koulouma.
In many areas of Greece, koulouma are celebrated in different ways. For example in Galaxidi, Clean Monday is anything but clean, as from noon and beyond, the famous flour fights take place. Hundreds of residents and visitors gather at the harbor, where an incredible war is performed with tons of flour, soot, and indigo. All the chasing and teasing continues until dusk. This custom is quite fun, as long as the necessary precautions are taken, such as the use of protective goggles, a mask, and suitable clothing.
Many traditions on this day revive the concept of marriage. Koutrouli’s wedding in Methoni was a real marriage that made history in the 14th century. In Thebes the Vlach wedding, which has already started from Fat Thursday, culminates with the shaving of the groom and the dressing of the bride, who in reality is a man! Generally all over Greece, many municipalities offer free lagana bread, bean soup, halva, and olives, just like the municipality of Athens does every year on the Filopappou Hill and the Veikou Park.
The offer of free food during the festivities of Clean Monday attracts a large number of people every year, resulting in long queues at the stalls and the depletion of the portions within a very short time.
4. Additional Information
There is also another variation on why we characterize this day as Clean. Do you know which one it is?
The other version is that Clean Monday was named this way because in the old days the housewives used to wash their cooking utensils all day long after the feast of the carnival. Clean Monday meals may be delicious, but you can imagine the mess they leave behind on cookware!
5. Must-know Vocab
Here’s some vocabulary you should know to celebrate Clean Monday in Greece!
To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our Greek Clean Monday vocabulary list. Here you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio of its pronunciation.
Conclusion
Now you know more about Clean Monday in Greece. What do you think of this holiday? Is there a similar celebration in your own country? Let us know in the comments!
To learn even more about Greek culture and the language, visit us at GreekPod101.com! We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and even an online community to discuss lessons with fellow Greek learners! You can also check out our MyTeacher program if you’re interested in pursuing a one-on-one learning experience with your own personal Greek teacher.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Greek Clean Monday and that you took away something valuable from this lesson. Know that all of your studying and hard work will pay off, and you’ll be speaking like a Greek native before you know it!
Fat Thursday is one of many Greek holidays where heavy feasting takes place. This religious Greece holiday, also called Tsiknopempti, is important for you to get to know so that you can better understand Greek culture.
Here at GreekPod101.com, it’s our goal to help you delve deep into the Greek culture and language, both efficiently and in a fun manner. So, let’s go ahead and start learning about what Fat Thursday in Greece really looks like.
1. What is Fat Thursday in Greece?
Fat Thursday, or Τσικνοπέμπτη (Tsiknopémpti), is traditionally a day where grilled meat is consumed in large quantities. If you find yourself in Greece on Fat Thursday, you won’t be able to mistake what day it is, because the smell of burning fat being roasted on grills is everywhere! The event is celebrated 59 days before Easter, or Πάσχα.
Essentially, Fat Thursday is a “last chance” of celebration and rowdiness before Easter. This is because the Lent holiday is nearby, which is a time of fasting and abstinence from all those things which will be enjoyed on Fat Thursday.
2. When is it?
The date of Fat Thursday varies each year, as it depends on the date of Lent and of Easter. This Greek holiday takes place the Thursday before Lent. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years:
2019: February 28
2020: February 20
2021: February 11
2022: February 24
2023: February 16
2024: February 8
2025: February 27
2026: February 12
2027: February 4
2028: February 17
3. How is it Celebrated?
The origin of Fat Thursday is not verified, but it’s thought that it comes from the Dionysian and bacchanal festivals of the ancient Greeks and Romans. This is why many special events are often accompanied by mocking songs, teasing, speaking in a vulgar manner, and sexual innuendo.
1- Food: Greek Meat Dishes
In many regions, pigs, or χοίροι, are slaughtered, while outdoor grills are set up everywhere from early in the morning, continuously churning out exquisite tidbits, or Μεζές (mezés), and traditional skewered meat.
There is plenty of meat eating, or Κρεοφαγία (kreofayía), and wine drinking, or Οινοποσία (inoposía), on this day, as it’s the last chance for rowdiness and meat consumption before Lent, or Σαρακοστή, the period of fasting. After Fat Thursday, the next opportunity for partying doesn’t occur until Easter, a whole 59 days later, which is why Greeks put so much effort into making it an enjoyable event.
Meats eaten on this day are cooked over charcoals, or κάρβουνα (kárvuno), which strongly emit the smell of burning fat, hence the name “Fat Thursday.”
2- Reading Practice: Marriage
Read the Greek text below to find out about this fun custom (you can find the English translation below it).
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Η έννοια του γάμου συναντάται σε πολλά έθιμα, όπως αυτό της «Κουλουρούς» στην Πάτρα. Η Γιαννούλα η κουλουρού ντύνεται νύφη και πηγαίνει στο λιμάνι να προϋπαντήσει τον Αμερικανό πρόεδρο Ουίλσον πιστεύοντας, λανθασμένα, πως την αγαπά και θέλει να την παντρευτεί. Ο κόσμος που τη συνοδεύει διασκεδάζει με τα καμώματά της. Στη Θήβα επίσης, την Τσικνοπέμπτη αρχίζει ο περίφημος «βλάχικος γάμος» που βασίζεται στο προξενιό δύο νέων, και ολοκληρώνεται την Καθαρά Δευτέρα. Τέλος στις Σέρρες ανάβονται μεγάλες φωτιές. Αφού ψήσουν το κρέας, οι άνθρωποι πηδούν από πάνω τους.
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The concept of marriage is found in many traditions, such as that of the Koulourou (bagel saleslady) in Patras. Giannoula, who sells bagels, dresses up as a bride and goes to the harbor to meet and welcome the American president Wilson believing, mistakenly, that he loves her and wants to marry her. The people that accompany her are being entertained with her behavior. In Thebes also, on Fat Thursday the famous Vlach wedding begins, which is based on the matchmaking of two young people, and ends on Clean Monday. Finally, in Serres, large fires are being lit. After they roast the meat, people jump over them.
The incident of Giannoula, the bagel saleslady, did happen before the second World War. Since the prank that was played on this naive woman caused so much laughter, the show was repeated for several years, so it ended up becoming a custom.
4. Additional Information
Why do Greek people eat meat on Thursday, as you see in the name Fat Thursday, as opposed to other weekdays?
For the Orthodox Church, or Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία, the fasts of Wednesday and Friday are important. Because Thursday lies between these two days, it is considered the most suitable day for revelry.
5. Must-know Vocab
In order to celebrate Fat Thursday in Greece, you’re going to need to know some basic vocabulary for this holiday:
To hear the pronunciation of each word, visit our Greek Fat Thursday vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find an audio of each pronunciation alongside the word.
Conclusion
Now you know more about how Greeks celebrate Fat Thursday. What do you think about this holiday? Does your country celebrate Fat Thursday or a similar holiday? Let us know in the comments!
To learn more about Greek culture and the language, visit us at GreekPod101.com. We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow Greek students. You can even download our MyTeacher app for a one-on-one learning experience with your own personal Greek teacher.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Greek Fat Thursday with us! Stay tuned for more Greek holiday articles, and keep up the good work. You’ll be a master of the Greek language before you know it!
Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Greek could be just what you need to find it.
Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Greek partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At GreekPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Greek lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to make Greek dating easy for you.
Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)
1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date
So, you have met your Greek love interest. Congratulations! Who knows where this could take you…?! However, the two of you have just met and you’re not ready to say the Greek word for love just yet. Great, it is better to get to know him/her first. Wow your prospective love by using these Greek date phrases to set up a spectacular first date.
Would you like to go out to dinner with me?
Θα ήθελες να βγούμε έξω για δείπνο;
Tha ítheles na vgúme éxo ya dípno?
The important question! In most cultures, this phrase indicates: ‘I’m romantically interested in you’. Flirting in Greek is no different, so don’t take your date to Mcdonald’s!
Are you free this weekend?
Είσαι ελεύθερος αυτό το Σαββατοκύριακο;
Íse eléftheros aftó to Sabatokíriako?
This is a preamble to asking your love interest on a date. If you get an immediate ‘Yes’, that’s good news!
What time shall we meet tomorrow?
Τι ώρα να συναντηθούμε αύριο;
Ti óra na sinandithúme ávrio?
Set a time, and be sure to arrive early! Nothing spoils a potential relationship more than a tardy date.
Where shall we meet?
Πού να συναντηθούμε;
Pú na sinandithúme?
You can ask this, but also suggest a place.
You look great.
Δείχνεις πολύ ωραίος.
Díhnis polí oréos.
A wonderful ice breaker! This phrase will help them relax a bit – they probably took great care to look their best just for you.
You are so cute.
Είσαι τόσο χαριτωμένος.
Íse tóso haritoménos.
If the two of you are getting on really well, this is a fun, flirtatious phrase to use.
What do you think of this place?
Τι γνώμη έχεις γι’ αυτό το μέρος;
Ti gnómi éhis yi’ aftó to méros?
This another good conversation starter. Show off your Greek language skills!
Can I see you again?
Μπορώ να σε ξαναδώ;
Boró na se xanadó?
So the date went really well – don’t waste time! Make sure you will see each other again.
Shall we go somewhere else?
Θες να πάμε κάπου αλλού;
Thes na páme kápu alú?
If the place you meet at is not great, you can suggest going elsewhere. It is also a good question to follow the previous one. Variety is the spice of life!
I know a good place.
Ξέρω ένα καλό μέρος.
Xéro éna kaló méros.
Use this with the previous question. However, don’t say if you don’t know a good place!
I will drive you home.
Θα σε πάω σπίτι.
Tha se páo spíti.
If your date doesn’t have transport, this is a polite, considerate offer. However, don’t be offended if she/he turns you down on the first date. Especially a woman might not feel comfortable letting you drive her home when the two of you are still basically strangers.
That was a great evening.
Ήταν μια ωραία βραδιά.
Ítan mia oréa vradiá.
This is a good phrase to end the evening with.
When can I see you again?
Πότε μπορώ να σε ξαναδώ;
Póte boró na se xanadó?
If he/she replied ‘Yes’ to ‘Can I see you again?’, this is the next important question.
I’ll call you.
Θα σε πάρω τηλέφωνο.
Tha se páro tiléfono.
Say this only if you really mean to do it. In many cultures, this could imply that you’re keeping the proverbial backdoor open.
You learned all the Greek phrases to make a date – congratulations! Now you have to decide where to meet, which can be tricky. Discuss these options with your lover to gauge whether you like the same things. Check out romantic date ideas in Greek below!
museum
μουσείο
musío
If you’re looking for unique date ideas that are fun but won’t break the bank, museums are the perfect spot! You won’t be running out of things to say in the conversations.
candlelit dinner
δείπνο με κεριά
dípno me keriá
A candlelit dinner is perhaps best to reserve for when the relationship is getting serious. It’s very intimate, and says: “Romance!” It’s a fantastic choice if you’re sure you and your date are in love with each other!
go to the zoo
πηγαίνετε στον ζωολογικό κήπο
piyénete ston zooloyikó kípo
This is a good choice for shy lovers who want to get the conversation going. Just make sure your date likes zoos, as some people dislike them. Maybe not for the first date, but this is also a great choice if your lover has children – you’ll win his/her adoration for inviting them along!
go for a long walk
πηγαίνετε για έναν μεγάλο περίπατο
piyénete ya énan megálo perípato
Need to talk about serious stuff, or just want to relax with your date? Walking together is soothing, and a habit you can keep up together always! Just make sure it’s a beautiful walk that’s not too strenuous.
go to the opera
πήγαινε στην όπερα
píyene stin ópera
This type of date should only be attempted if both of you love the opera. It can be a special treat, followed by a candlelit dinner!
go to the aquarium
πηγαίνετε στο ενυδρείο
piyénete sto enidrío
Going to the aquarium is another good idea if you need topics for conversation, or if you need to impress your lover’s kids! Make sure your date doesn’t have a problem with aquariums.
walk on the beach
περπατήστε στην παραλία
perpatíste stin paralía
This can be a very romantic stroll, especially at night! The sea is often associated with romance and beauty.
have a picnic
κάντε ένα πικ νικ
kánde éna pik ník
If you and your date need to get more comfortable together, this can be a fantastic date. Spending time in nature is soothing and calms the nerves.
cook a meal together
μαγειρέψτε ένα γεύμα μαζί
mayirépste éna yévma mazí
If you want to get an idea of your date’s true character in one go, this is an excellent date! You will quickly see if the two of you can work together in a confined space. If it works, it will be fantastic for the relationship and create a sense of intimacy. If not, you will probably part ways!
have dinner and see a movie
δειπνήστε και δείτε μια ταινία
dipníste ke díte mia tenía
This is traditional date choice works perfectly well. Just make sure you and your date like the same kind of movies!
3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
Expressing your feelings honestly is very important in any relationship all year round. Yet, on Valentine’s Day you really want to shine. Impress your lover this Valentine’s with your excellent vocabulary, and make his/her day! We teach you, in fun, effective ways, the meanings of the words and how to pronounce them. You can also copy the characters and learn how to write ‘I love you’ in Greek – think how impressed your date will be!
4. Greek Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
So, you now have the basic Valentine’s Day vocabulary under your belt. Well done! But, do you know how to say ‘I love you’ in Greek yet? Or perhaps you are still only friends. So, do you know how to say ‘I like you’ or ‘I have a crush on you’ in Greek? No? Don’t worry, here are all the love phrases you need to bowl over your Greek love on this special day!
I love you.
Σ’ αγαπώ.
S’ agapó
Saying ‘I love you’ in Greek carries the same weight as in all languages. Use this only if you’re sure and sincere about your feelings for your partner/friend.
You mean so much to me.
Σημαίνεις τόσα πολλά για μένα.
Siménis tósa polá ya ména.
This is a beautiful expression of gratitude that will enhance any relationship! It makes the receiver feel appreciated and their efforts recognized.
Will you be my Valentine?
Θες να γίνεις ο Βαλεντίνος μου;
Thes na yínis o Valentínos mu?
With these words, you are taking your relationship to the next level! Or, if you have been a couple for a while, it shows that you still feel the romance. So, go for it!
You’re so beautiful.
Είσαι τόσο όμορφος.
Íse tóso ómorfos.
If you don’t know how to say ‘You’re pretty’ in Greek, this is a good substitute, gentlemen!
I think of you as more than a friend.
Σε βλέπω σαν κάτι παραπάνω από φίλο.
Se vlépo san káti parapáno apó fílo.
Say this if you are not yet sure that your romantic feelings are reciprocated. It is also a safe go-to if you’re unsure about the Greek dating culture.
A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.
Εκατό καρδιές θα ήταν πολύ λίγες για να κρατήσουν όλη την αγάπη μου για σένα.
Ekató kardiés tha ítan polí líyes ya na kratísun óli tin agápi mu ya séna.
You romantic you…! When your heart overflows with love, this would be the best phrase to use.
Love is just love. It can never be explained.
Η αγάπη είναι απλώς αγάπη. Δεν μπορεί να εξηγηθεί ποτέ.
I agápi íne aplós agápi. Den borí na exiyithí poté.
If you fell in love unexpectedly or inexplicably, this one’s for you.
You’re so handsome.
Είσαι τόσο γοητευτικός.
Íse tóso goiteftikós.
Ladies, this phrase lets your Greek love know how much you appreciate his looks! Don’t be shy to use it; men like compliments too.
I’ve got a crush on you.
Έχω καψούρα μαζί σου.
Ého kapsúra mazí su.
If you like someone, but you’re unsure about starting a relationship, it would be prudent to say this. It simply means that you like someone very, very much and think they’re amazing.
You make me want to be a better man.
Με κάνεις να θέλω να γίνω καλύτερος άνθρωπος.
Me kánis na thélo na yíno kalíteros ánthropos.
Gentlemen, don’t claim this phrase as your own! It hails from the movie ‘As Good as it Gets’, but it is sure to make your Greek girlfriend feel very special. Let her know that she inspires you!
Let all that you do be done in love.
Όλα όσα λέγετε και κάνετε ας γίνονται με αγάπη.
Óla ósa léyete ke kánete as yínonde me agápi.
We hope.
You are my sunshine, my love.
Είσαι το φως μου, αγάπη μου.
Íse to fos mu, agápi mu.
A compliment that lets your lover know they bring a special quality to your life. Really nice!
Words can’t describe my love for you.
Οι λέξεις δεν μπορούν να περιγράψουν την αγάπη μου για σένα.
I léxis den borún na perigrápsun tin agápi mu ya séna.
Better say this when you’re feeling serious about the relationship! It means that your feelings are very intense.
We were meant to be together.
Ήταν γραφτό να είμαστε μαζί.
Ítan graftó na ímaste mazí.
This is a loving affirmation that shows you see a future together, and that you feel a special bond with your partner.
If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.
Αν σκεφτόσουν κάποιον ενώ διάβαζες αυτό, τότε είσαι σίγουρα ερωτευμένος.
An skeftósun kápion enó diávazes aftó, tóte íse sígura erotevménos.
Here’s something fun to tease your lover with. And hope he/she was thinking of you!
5. Greek Quotes about Love
You’re a love champ! You and your Greek lover are getting along fantastically, your dates are awesome, your Valentine’s Day together was spectacular, and you’re very much in love. Good for you! Here are some beautiful phrases of endearment in Greek that will remind him/her who is in your thoughts all the time.
6. Marriage Proposal Lines
Wow. Your Greek lover is indeed the love of your life – congratulations! And may only happiness follow the two of you! In most traditions, the man asks the woman to marry; this is also the Greek custom. Here are a few sincere and romantic lines that will help you to ask your lady-love for her hand in marriage.
7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines
Instead of moving towards marriage or a long-term relationship, you find that the spark is not there for you. That is a pity! But even though breaking up is never easy, continuing a bad or unfulfilling relationship would be even harder. Remember to be kind to the person you are going to say goodbye to; respect and sensitivity cost nothing. Here are some phrases to help you break up gently.
We need to talk.
Πρέπει να μιλήσουμε.
Prépi na milísume.
This is not really a break-up line, but it is a good conversation opener with a serious tone.
I’m just not ready for this kind of relationship.
Απλά δεν είμαι έτοιμη για μια τέτοιου είδους σχέση.
Aplá den íme étimi ya mia tétiu ídus schési.
Things moved a bit fast and got too intense, too soon? Painful as it is, honesty is often the best way to break up with somebody.
Let’s just be friends.
Ας μείνουμε απλά φίλοι.
As mínume aplá fíli.
If the relationship was very intense, and you have sent many ‘i love u’ texts in Greek, this would not be a good breakup line. Feelings need to calm down before you can be friends, if ever. If the relationship has not really developed yet, a friendship would be possible.
I think we need a break.
Νομίζω ότι χρειαζόμαστε ένα διάλειμμα.
Nomízo óti hriazómaste éna diálima.
This is again honest, and to the point. No need to play with someone’s emotions by not letting them know how you feel. However, this could imply that you may fall in love with him/her again after a period of time, so use with discretion.
You deserve better.
Σου αξίζει κάτι καλύτερο.
Su axízi káti kalítero.
Yes, he/she probably deserves a better relationship if your own feelings have cooled down.
I need my space.
Χρειάζομαι μια απόσταση.
Hriázome mia apóstasi.
When a person is too clingy or demanding, this would be an suitable break-up phrase. It is another good go-to for that lover who doesn’t get the message!
I think we’re moving too fast.
Νομίζω ότι προχωράμε πολύ γρήγορα.
Nomízo óti prohoráme polí grígora.
Say this if you want to keep the relationship, but need to slow down its progress a bit. It is also good if you feel things are getting too intense for your liking. However, it is not really a break-up line, so be careful not to mislead.
I need to focus on my career.
Πρέπει να επικεντρωθώ στην καριέρα μου.
Prépi na epikendrothó stin kariéra mu.
If you feel that you will not be able to give 100% in a relationship due to career demands, this is the phrase to use. It’s also good if you are unwilling to give up your career for a relationship.
I’m not good enough for you.
Δεν είμαι αρκετή για σένα.
Den íme arketí ya séna.
Say this only if you really believe it, or you’ll end up sounding false. Break-ups are usually hard for the receiving party, so don’t insult him/her with an insincere comment.
I just don’t love you anymore.
Απλώς δεν σ’ αγαπώ πια.
Aplós den s’ agapó pia.
This harsh line is sometimes the best one to use if you are struggling to get through to a stubborn, clingy lover who won’t accept your break up. Use it as a last resort. Then switch your phone off and block their emails!
We’re just not right for each other.
Απλώς δεν είμαστε ο ένας για τον άλλον.
Aplós den ímaste o énas ya ton álon.
If this is how you truly feel, you need to say it. Be kind, gentle and polite.
It’s for the best.
Είναι για το καλύτερο.
Íne ya to kalítero.
This phrase is called for if circumstances are difficult and the relationship is not progressing well. Love should enhance one’s life, not burden it!
We’ve grown apart.
Έχουμε απομακρυνθεί ο ένας απ’ τον άλλον.
Éhume apomakrinthí o énas ap’ ton álon.
Cross-cultural relationships are often long-distance ones, and it is easy to grow apart over time.
It’s not you. It’s me.
Δεν έχει να κάνει με σένα, έχει να κάνει με μένα.
Den éhi na káni me séna, éhi na káni me ména.
As long as you mean it, this can be a kind thing to say. It means that there’s nothing wrong with your Greek lover as a person, but that you need something different from a relationship.
We should start seeing other people.
Πρέπει να αρχίσουμε να βγαίνουμε με άλλους.
Prépi na arhísume na vyénume me álus.
This is probably the least gentle break-up phrase, so reserve it for a lover that doesn’t get the message!
8. Will Falling in Love help you Learn Greek faster?
Most people will agree that the above statement is a no-brainer – of course it will! Your body will be flooded with feel-good hormones, which are superb motivators for anything. GreekPod101 is one of the best portals to help help make this a reality, so don’t hesitate to enroll now! Let’s quickly look at the reasons why falling in love will speed up your learning of the Greek language.
Three Reasons Why Having a Lover will Help you Learn Greek Faster!
1- Being in a love relationship with your Greek speaking partner will immerse you in the culture
GreekPod101 uses immersive methods and tools to teach you Greek, but having a relationship with a native speaker will be a very valuable addition to your learning experience! You will gain exposure to their world, realtime and vividly, which will make the language come alive even more for you. The experience is likely to expand your world-view, which should motivate you to learn Greek even faster.
2- Having your Greek romantic partner will mean more opportunity to practice speaking
Nothing beats continuous practice when learning a new language. Your partner will probably be very willing to assist you in this, as your enhanced Greek language skills will enhance the relationship. Communication is, after all, one of the most important pillars of a good partnership. Also, you will get to impress your lover with the knowledge gained through your studies – a win/win situation!
3- A supportive Greek lover is likely to make a gentle, patient teacher and study aid!
With his/her heart filled with love and goodwill for you, your Greek partner is likely to patiently and gently correct your mistakes when you speak. This goes not only for grammar, but also for accent and meaning. With his/her help, you could sound like a native in no time!
Three Reasons Why GreekPod101 helps you learn Greek Even Faster when you’re In Love
Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)
1- All the Resources and Materials Will Help Both of You
Falling in love with a man or woman speaking Greek is an opportunity for both of you to learn a new language! For this reason, every lesson, transcript, vocabulary list, and resource at GreekPod101 is translated into both English and Greek. So, while your partner can help you learn Greek faster, you can potentially also help him/her learn and master English!
2- Lessons Are Designed to Help You Understand and Engage with Greek Culture
At GreekPod101, our focus is to help our students learn practical vocabulary and phrases used by everyday people in Greece. This means that, from your very first lesson, you can apply what you learn immediately! So, when your Greek partner wants to go out to a restaurant, play Pokemon Go, or attend just about any social function, you have the vocabulary and phrases necessary to have a great time!
3- Access to Special Resources Dedicated to Romantic Greek Phrases
You now have access to GreekPod101’s specially-developed sections and tools to teach you love words, phrases, and cultural insights to help you find and attract your Greek soul mate. A personal tutor will assist you to master these brilliantly – remember to invite him/her to your wedding!
