When I arrived in Greece, I knew three Greek words: “Yasas” (hello), “Efharisto” (thank you), and “Nero” (water). Eight years later, I’m conversational. But those early days taught me which phrases matter most for Muslim travelers.
This guide focuses on the Greek phrases you’ll actually need: food-related questions, prayer facility inquiries, and practical daily communication.
Food-Related Phrases
Essential Halal/Dietary Questions
Does this have pork?
– Greek: “Echi choirino?” (Έχει χοιρινό;)
– Pronunciation: EH-hee hee-ree-NO
No pork, please.
– Greek: “Choris choirino, parakalo.” (Χωρίς χοιρινό, παρακαλώ.)
– Pronunciation: ho-REES hee-ree-NO, pa-ra-ka-LO
Does this have alcohol/wine?
– Greek: “Echi krasi?” (Έχει κρασί;) or “Echi alkool?” (Έχει αλκοόλ;)
– Pronunciation: EH-hee kra-SEE / EH-hee al-ko-OL
No alcohol, please.
– Greek: “Choris alkool, parakalo.” (Χωρίς αλκοόλ, παρακαλώ.)
– Pronunciation: ho-REES al-ko-OL, pa-ra-ka-LO
Only fish and vegetables.
– Greek: “Mono psari ke lahanika.” (Μόνο ψάρι και λαχανικά.)
– Pronunciation: MO-no PSA-ree keh la-ha-nee-KA
Is this meat?
– Greek: “Ine afto kreas?” (Είναι αυτό κρέας;)
– Pronunciation: EE-neh af-TO KRAY-as
What meat is this?
– Greek: “Ti kreas ine afto?” (Τι κρέας είναι αυτό;)
– Pronunciation: tee KRAY-as EE-neh af-TO
Meat Vocabulary
Pork – “Choirino” (χοιρινό) – hee-ree-NO
Chicken – “Kotopoulo” (κοτόπουλο) – ko-TO-poo-lo
Lamb – “Arni” (αρνί) – ar-NEE
Beef – “Moshari” (μοσχάρι) – mo-SHA-ree
Fish – “Psari” (ψάρι) – PSA-ree
Seafood – “Thalassina” (θαλασσινά) – tha-la-see-NA
Restaurant Phrases
I am Muslim. I don’t eat pork.
– Greek: “Ime Mousoulman/a. Den troo choirino.” (Είμαι Μουσουλμάνος/α. Δεν τρώω χοιρινό.)
– Pronunciation: EE-meh moo-sool-MAN-os/a. then TRO-o hee-ree-NO
– Note: Use “Mousoulman-os” if male, “Mousoulman-a” if female
Is there halal meat?
– Greek: “Echi halal kreas?” (Έχει χαλάλ κρέας;)
– Pronunciation: EH-hee ha-LAL KRAY-as
Where is a halal restaurant?
– Greek: “Pou ine ena halal estiatrio?” (Πού είναι ένα χαλάλ εστιατόριο;)
– Pronunciation: POO EE-neh EH-na ha-LAL es-tee-a-TO-ree-o
Is this fresh fish?
– Greek: “Ine fresko psari?” (Είναι φρέσκο ψάρι;)
– Pronunciation: EE-neh FRES-ko PSA-ree
Grilled, please.
– Greek: “Sti schara, parakalo.” (Στη σχάρα, παρακαλώ.)
– Pronunciation: stee SHA-ra, pa-ra-ka-LO
The check, please.
– Greek: “Ton logariasmo, parakalo.” (Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ.)
– Pronunciation: ton lo-ga-ree-as-MO, pa-ra-ka-LO
Vegetarian Options
I am vegetarian.
– Greek: “Ime hortofagos.” (Είμαι χορτοφάγος.)
– Pronunciation: EE-meh hor-TO-fa-gos
Do you have vegetarian food?
– Greek: “Echete hortofagiko fagito?” (Έχετε χορτοφαγικό φαγητό;)
– Pronunciation: EH-he-teh hor-to-fa-yee-KO fa-yee-TO
Without meat.
– Greek: “Choris kreas.” (Χωρίς κρέας.)
– Pronunciation: ho-REES KRAY-as
Prayer and Mosque Phrases
Finding a Mosque
Where is the mosque?
– Greek: “Pou ine to tzami?” (Πού είναι το τζαμί;)
– Pronunciation: POO EE-neh to ja-MEE
Is there a mosque nearby?
– Greek: “Echi tzami konta?” (Έχει τζαμί κοντά;)
– Pronunciation: EH-hee ja-MEE kon-DA
Where can I pray?
– Greek: “Pou boro na proskyniso?” (Πού μπορώ να προσκυνήσω;)
– Pronunciation: POO bo-RO na pro-skee-NEE-so
What time is the prayer?
– Greek: “Ti ora ine i prosefhi?” (Τι ώρα είναι η προσευχή;)
– Pronunciation: tee O-ra EE-neh ee pro-sef-HEE
Prayer-Related Vocabulary
Mosque – “Tzami” (τζαμί) – ja-MEE
Prayer – “Prosefhi” (προσευχή) – pro-sef-HEE
Muslim – “Mousoulman-os/a” (Μουσουλμάνος/α) – moo-sool-MAN-os/a
Friday prayer – “Paraskevi prosefhi” (Παρασκευή προσευχή)
Direction of Mecca – “Kibleh” (κιβλέ) – keep using Arabic
Practical Prayer Phrases
I need to pray.
– Greek: “Prepi na proskyniso.” (Πρέπει να προσκυνήσω.)
– Pronunciation: PRE-pee na pro-skee-NEE-so
Is there a quiet room?
– Greek: “Echi ena isiho domatio?” (Έχει ένα ήσυχο δωμάτιο;)
– Pronunciation: EH-hee EH-na EE-see-ho tho-MA-tee-o
I need water for washing.
– Greek: “Hriazome nero gia plisimo.” (Χρειάζομαι νερό για πλύσιμο.)
– Pronunciation: hree-A-zo-meh ne-RO ya PLEE-see-mo
Basic Greetings and Courtesy
Greetings
Hello (informal)
– Greek: “Yiasou” (Γεια σου)
– Pronunciation: YA-soo
Hello (formal/plural)
– Greek: “Yiasas” (Γεια σας)
– Pronunciation: YA-sas
Good morning
– Greek: “Kalimera” (Καλημέρα)
– Pronunciation: ka-lee-ME-ra
Good evening
– Greek: “Kalispera” (Καλησπέρα)
– Pronunciation: ka-lee-SPE-ra
Goodbye
– Greek: “Adio” (Αντίο) or “Yiasou” (Γεια σου)
– Pronunciation: a-DEE-o / YA-soo
Peace be upon you (Arabic – understood by Greek Muslims)
– Use: “As-salamu alaykum” – Muslim community members understand
Courtesy Phrases
Please
– Greek: “Parakalo” (Παρακαλώ)
– Pronunciation: pa-ra-ka-LO
Thank you
– Greek: “Efharisto” (Ευχαριστώ)
– Pronunciation: ef-ha-ree-STO
Thank you very much
– Greek: “Efharisto poli” (Ευχαριστώ πολύ)
– Pronunciation: ef-ha-ree-STO po-LEE
You’re welcome
– Greek: “Parakalo” (Παρακαλώ)
– Pronunciation: pa-ra-ka-LO
Excuse me / Sorry
– Greek: “Signomi” (Συγγνώμη)
– Pronunciation: sig-NO-mee
Yes
– Greek: “Nai” (Ναι)
– Pronunciation: neh
No
– Greek: “Ohi” (Όχι)
– Pronunciation: O-hee
Practical Daily Phrases
Directions and Transportation
Where is…?
– Greek: “Pou ine…?” (Πού είναι…;)
– Pronunciation: POO EE-neh
How do I get to…?
– Greek: “Pos pao sto/sti…?” (Πώς πάω στο/στη…;)
– Pronunciation: pos PA-o sto/stee
How far is it?
– Greek: “Poso makria ine?” (Πόσο μακριά είναι;)
– Pronunciation: PO-so ma-KREE-a EE-neh
Left
– Greek: “Aristera” (Αριστερά)
– Pronunciation: a-ree-ste-RA
Right
– Greek: “Dexia” (Δεξιά)
– Pronunciation: the-xee-A
Straight ahead
– Greek: “Isia” (Ίσια)
– Pronunciation: EE-see-a
Shopping
How much is this?
– Greek: “Poso kani afto?” (Πόσο κάνει αυτό;)
– Pronunciation: PO-so KA-nee af-TO
Too expensive
– Greek: “Poli akrivo” (Πολύ ακριβό)
– Pronunciation: po-LEE a-kree-VO
I’ll take it
– Greek: “Tha to paro” (Θα το πάρω)
– Pronunciation: tha to PA-ro
Emergency Phrases
Help!
– Greek: “Voitheia!” (Βοήθεια!)
– Pronunciation: vo-EE-thee-a
I need a doctor
– Greek: “Hriazome ena giatro” (Χρειάζομαι έναν γιατρό)
– Pronunciation: hree-A-zo-meh EH-nan ya-TRO
Where is the hospital?
– Greek: “Pou ine to nosokomio?” (Πού είναι το νοσοκομείο;)
– Pronunciation: POO EE-neh to no-so-ko-MEE-o
Police
– Greek: “Astinomia” (Αστυνομία)
– Pronunciation: a-stee-no-MEE-a
I don’t understand
– Greek: “Den katalaveno” (Δεν καταλαβαίνω)
– Pronunciation: then ka-ta-la-VE-no
Do you speak English?
– Greek: “Milate Anglika?” (Μιλάτε Αγγλικά;)
– Pronunciation: mee-LA-teh ang-lee-KA
Numbers (For Prices and Times)
1 – “Ena” (ένα) – EH-na
2 – “Dio” (δύο) – THEE-o
3 – “Tria” (τρία) – TREE-a
4 – “Tessera” (τέσσερα) – TE-se-ra
5 – “Pente” (πέντε) – PEN-deh
6 – “Exi” (έξι) – EK-see
7 – “Epta” (επτά) – ep-TA
8 – “Okto” (οκτώ) – ok-TO
9 – “Enea” (εννέα) – e-NE-a
10 – “Deka” (δέκα) – THE-ka
20 – “Ikosi” (είκοσι) – EE-ko-see
50 – “Peninda” (πενήντα) – pe-NEEN-da
100 – “Ekato” (εκατό) – e-ka-TO
Tips for Communication
Most Greeks Speak English
In tourist areas, most people under 50 speak English. However, trying Greek is appreciated and opens doors.
Tone and Body Language
Greeks communicate warmly. Direct eye contact is normal. Speaking loudly doesn’t indicate anger.
Written vs. Spoken
Greek signs use a different alphabet. Learn to recognize:
– ΕΣΤΙΑΤΟΡΙΟ (Estiatório) = Restaurant
– ΣΟΥΠΕΡΜΑΡΚΕΤ = Supermarket
– ΤΖΑΜΙ (Tzami) = Mosque
– ΕΞΟΔΟΣ (Exodos) = Exit
– ΕΙΣΟΔΟΣ (Eisodos) = Entrance
Useful Apps
Google Translate – Download Greek for offline use
Drops – Greek vocabulary builder
Duolingo – Greek course available
Printable Quick Reference
FOOD:
– No pork: “Choris choirino”
– No alcohol: “Choris alkool”
– Is there pork? “Echi choirino?”
– Only fish: “Mono psari”
– Halal restaurant: “Halal estiatório”
PRAYER:
– Where is the mosque? “Pou ine to tzami?”
– I need to pray: “Prepi na proskyniso”
BASICS:
– Thank you: “Efharisto”
– Please: “Parakalo”
– Yes: “Nai”
– No: “Ohi”
– Help: “Voitheia”
Related Guides:
– Essential Travel Guide for Muslim Visitors to Greece
– Complete Guide to Halal Restaurants in Athens
– Guide to Athens Central Mosque
Last Updated: January 2026
Word Count: ~2,000