οδηγίες προς / Directions

1. Getting Attention & Politeness:

• Συγγνώμη! (See-gno-mee!) – Excuse me! (Always start with this or a general greeting)
• Καλημέρα/Καλησπέρα/Καληνύχτα (Kalee-meh-ra / Kalee-speh-ra / Kalee-nee-hta) – Good morning/Good evening/Good night (depending on the time of day)
• Παρακαλώ (Pa-ra-ka-lo) – Please/You’re welcome

2. Asking “Where is…?”

• Πού είναι…; (Poo ee-neh…?) – Where is…?
  • …η πλατεία; (…ee pla-TEE-a?) – …the square?
  • …ο δρόμος [όνομα]; (…o DROM-os [name]?) – …[street name] street?
  • …το ξενοδοχείο [όνομα]; (…to kseh-no-do-HEE-o [name]?) – …the [hotel name] hotel?
  • …ο σταθμός (του μετρό/των λεωφορείων/του τρένου); (…o sta-thmos (too meh-TRO / ton leo-fo-REE-on / too TRE-noo)?) – …the station (metro/bus/train)?
  • …το λιμάνι; (…to lee-MA-nee?) – …the port?
  • …το αεροδρόμιο; (…to ae-ro-DRO-mee-o?) – …the airport?
  • …η τουαλέτα; (…ee too-a-LE-ta?) – …the restroom?
• Πώς μπορώ να πάω στην/στο…; (Pos bo-RO na pa-O steen/sto…?) – How can I get to (feminine/neutral place)…?

3. Giving Directions (Key Words):

• Ευθεία (Ef-THEE-a) – Straight
• Στρίψε/Στρίψτε (STREEEP-se / STREEEP-ste) – Turn (informal/formal or plural)
• Αριστερά (A-ree-ste-RA) – Left
• Δεξιά (Deh-xee-A) – Right
• Πήγαινε/Πηγαίνετε (PEE-gai-neh / Pee-GEH-neh-teh) – Go (informal/formal or plural)
• Κοντά (Kon-TA) – Near
• Μακριά (Ma-kree-A) – Far
• Στην γωνία (Steen go-NEE-a) – At the corner
• Δίπλα σε… (DEE-pla seh…) – Next to…
• Απέναντι από… (A-PE-nan-tee a-po…) – Opposite to…
• Μπροστά (Bro-STA) – Front/In front
• Πίσω (PEE-so) – Back/Behind
• Πάνω (PA-no) – Up/Above
• Κάτω (KA-to) – Down/Below

4. Combining Words into Phrases:

• Πήγαινε ευθεία. (PEE-gai-neh ef-THEE-a.) – Go straight.
• Στρίψε αριστερά. (STREEEP-se a-ree-ste-RA.) – Turn left.
• Στρίψε δεξιά. (STREEEP-se deh-xee-A.) – Turn right.
• Στην γωνία στρίψε αριστερά. (Steen go-NEE-a STREEEP-se a-ree-ste-RA.) – At the corner, turn left.
• Είναι δίπλα στο φούρνο. (EE-neh DEE-pla sto FOOR-no.) – It’s next to the bakery.
• Είναι απέναντι από την τράπεζα. (EE-neh a-PE-nan-tee a-po teen TRA-peh-za.) – It’s opposite the bank.
• Θα το βρεις. (Tha to vrees.) – You will find it. (Often used encouragingly)

5. Useful Questions & Phrases for Understanding:

• Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (Mee-LA-teh ang-li-KA?) – Do you speak English? (Always good to ask first)
• Δεν καταλαβαίνω. (Den ka-ta-la-VE-no.) – I don’t understand.
• Μπορείτε να το επαναλάβετε, παρακαλώ; (Bo-REE-te na to e-pa-na-LA-ve-te, pa-ra-ka-LO?) – Can you repeat that, please?
• Πόσο μακριά είναι; (PO-so ma-kree-A EE-neh?) – How far is it?
• Είναι κοντά; (EE-neh kon-TA?) – Is it close? Tips for Giving/Receiving Directions in Greece:
• Be patient: Not everyone speaks English, especially in more rural areas.
• Body language helps: Pointing, using hand gestures for turns, and indicating “straight” can be very effective.
• Pronunciation: Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation, but try your best. Greeks appreciate the effort.
• Place names: If you have the name of a street or a landmark, it will be much easier for them to direct you.
• “Ευχαριστώ πολύ!” (Ef-kha-ree-STO po-LEE!): Always say “Thank you very much!” With these phrases, you’ll be much better equipped to navigate and ask for directions in Greece!