Language/Modern-greek-1453/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions

Modern Greek (1453-) Vocabulary - Idiomatic expressions

Hi Modern Greek (1453-) learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on idiomatic expressions that are commonly used in spoken Greek. These expressions can help you sound more natural and fluent in everyday conversation. We'll also touch on a few cultural notes related to the expressions we'll be discussing.

Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Numbers & Art.

Food-related expressions

Food is a big part of Greek culture, and so many idioms revolve around food. Here are a few commonly used ones:

Modern Greek (1453-)	Pronunciation	English
Να τρως άσπρο ψωμί (Not exists this expression)	Na tro̞s ǎspro̞ pso̞mi̱	To eat white bread
Το έχει περάσει το στόμα του(Not exists this expression)	To ekhi perásei to stóma tou	He/she has passed it through his/her mouth
Όλα καλά στον ουρανό και στο στόμα(Not exists this expression)	Óla kalá ston ouranó kai sto stóma	Everything is good in heaven and in the mouth

• Person 1: Ξέρεις τι έγινε με τον Πέτρο; ( Xéris ti égine me ton Pétro? / Do you know what happened with Petros?)
• Person 2: Ναι, αλλά μην τρως άσπρο ψωμί. (Ne, allá min tro̞s ǎspro̞ pso̞mi̱. / Yes, but don't eat white bread.)

Here Person 2 is using the expression "μην τρως άσπρο ψωμί" to tell Person 1 not to worry.

General expressions

These are some general idiomatic expressions that don't necessarily focus on a specific topic:

Modern Greek (1453-)	Pronunciation	English
Είμαι στην πυρά	Eímai sta pyrá	I'm under fire
Στην υγειά του	Stin ygeiá toy	To his/her health
Το πήρε πάνω του	To píre páno̱ toy	He/she took it upon himself/herself

• Person 1: Είδες χθες τον αγώνα ; (Ídes ton agóna hthes? / Did you see the game yesterday?)
• Person 2: Ναι, και είμαι στην πυρά από τους φίλους μου, που υποστηρίζουν την αντίπαλη ομάδα. (Ne, kai eímai sta pyrá apó tous fílous mou pou ypostirízoyn tin álli̱ omáda. / Yes, and I'm under fire from my friends who support the other team.)

Person 2 is using "είμαι στην πυρά" to describe the situation in which he finds himself.

Business-related expressions

Greek business culture is quite different from other cultures, and idiomatic expressions related to business reflect this. Here are some often-used expressions:

Modern Greek (1453-)	Pronunciation	English
Να κάνεις κουμάντο	Na káneis ko̞umánto	To be in command
Να τα βάζεις με αρχηγό	Na ta vázeis me arch.._	to be involved with a certain authority figure (e.g. a boss, manager, etc.)
Παλεύω με τα γαλόνια	Paleúo̱ me ta galónia	To struggle with gallons (arm)

• Person 1: Πήρες τα αποτελέσματα του τελευταίου διαγωνίσματος; (Píres ta apotelésmata tou teleftéou diagonísmatos? / Did you get the results of the last exam?)
• Person 2: Ναι, αλλά παλεύω με θεριά να βρω δουλειά. (Ne, allá me ta galónia paleúo̱ na bro̱ douleiá. / Yes, but I'm struggling to find a job.)

Person 2 is using "παλεύω με θεριά : beast" to describe how difficult it is to find a job.

Cultural notes

Greek idiomatic expressions can say a lot about the culture and traditions of Greece. For instance, the expression "στην υγειά του" is used when making a toast, and Greeks love to make toasts for almost every occasion. Another example, "το έχει περάσει το στόμα του", illustrates how gossip and word-of-mouth are an important part of Greek communication.

Learning and using idiomatic expressions is not only essential for mastering a language but also for understanding the cultural values and nuances of a people. For more vocabulary to improve your Modern Greek (1453-) proficiency, check the Vocabulary page.

Remember, practice is key to becoming proficient in a language. Use Polyglot Club to find native speakers and ask them any questions you may have about Greek idioms and expressions.

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➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

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