Talking about Greek Beach Vocabulary

Greek lesson 6 talks about Greek beach vocabulary. It includes the basics such as how to say beach in Greek including the sea and ocean in Greek.

Plus, advanced beach talk, like describing Greek beaches in Greek.

You will also learn to say things that many people do while relaxing at a Greek beach.

For example, what to say at a Greek beach club.

This Greek lesson will also help you identify things you will most likely see at a beach using the Greek language. So you will learn a lot.

Greek Beach Vocabulary (Words and Phrases)

Visiting a beach on a Greek island in summer is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Greece.

Wouldn’t your experience at a Greek beach be even better if you knew how to say a few words and phrases in Greek?

It would have to make for a much better experience while you’re soaking up the sun.

Learning how to say many of these Greek beach words, phrases and expressions will make your time on a Greek beach so much better.

So I highly recommend taking the time to improve your Greek beach vocabulary.

Learn Greek Fast – The Teaching Method 

Greek lesson 6 uses the same simple teaching methods as previous lessons.

Note: The only difference is that starting as of lesson 6, you will only see one blue row of Greek pronunciation text and one red row of Greek pronunciation text.

Speak the words shown in blue and red text out loud as this is the essential Greek lesson to learn and master here.

Say the words/statements repeatedly (about ten times) when reading them for maximum effect.

Now and then, close your eyes and try to say the words without looking.

To better understand how this methodology teaches you how to speak Greek fast, you can always refer to the detailed introduction in Greek lesson 1 – Greetings.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to use this Greek beach vocabulary while relaxing at a beach in Greece. So let’s get started.

How to say Beach in Greek

First up, let’s learn to say beach, sea, and ocean in Greek. As well as a few widespread phrases that you’d possibly use when going to the beach.

the, beach

i, pa-ra-lia
i, pa-ra-lee-a

I’m going, to the, beach

Pee-yen-o, sti, pa-ra-lia
Pee-yen-or, sti, pa-ra-lee-a

Note: You may also hear people saying “stin” instead of “sti” which is the grammatically correct way of saying it. However, TV and mass media tend to ignore the use of the “N” at the end of this word.

George clarified partly by saying: Don’t stress yourself with “Sti” or “Stin.” Generally, nobody pays any attention when speaking Greek if they hear the “n.”

That said, the correct way to say it is “Stin Paralia.”

We are going, to the, beach

Pee-yen-noum-e, sti, pa-ra-lia
Pee-yen-noom-e, sti, pa-ra-lee-a

Note: Same here. You can just “sti” instead of “stin.”

the, sea

i, tha-la-sar
i, tharl-ars-a

Aegean Sea

Eh-yeh-o Pela-gos
Eh-yehor Pela-gos

ocean

okee-arn-os
oki-ar-nos

Describing a Beach in Greek

When you go to the beach, you often say things in your mind. Whereas, if you go to the beach with someone else, you often say it aloud.

Here are some Greek beach vocabulary expressions that you may find helpful to know.

the beach, looks, incredible

i pa-ra-lia, fen-et-te, apist-ef-ti
i para-lia, fenet-te, a-pist-efti

the color, of the, sea, is, amazing

Tor crorm-a, tis, tha-lars-sas, eni, ek-plik-tikor
Tor krorm-a, tis, tharl-arsas, eni, ek-plik-tikor

the, blue, water, is, very beautiful

Tor, gal-arz-io, nero, in-e, pan-e-morfo
Tor, gal-arzio, nero, in-ne, pan-e-morfo

Another option: just say “Omorfo” instead of “Panemorfo.”

Omorfo means beautiful in Greek, whereas Panemorfo highlights even more beauty.

When saying “Omorfo,” the “r” needs a bit of emphasis, in a Greek kind of way.

So you’ll need to hear someone speak the word “ómorfo” if you want to pronounce it like a Greek. Listen to it online.

Regarding blue, you see galarzio used here. However, you can say “ble” which also means blue in Greek.

There are no significant differences. The “Galazio” has a more poetic touch, and it’s used for more light-colored water. Both work fine.

Greeks use “Galazio” a lot when it comes to “blue sky.” But also for the sea.

Greeks say both, so it will be correct whatever you choose.

the water, is, perfect

Tor nero, in-ne, telio
Tor nero, in-e, te-lior

the beach, is, full

i pa-ra-lia, in-e, yem-arti
i paralia, in-ne, yem-arti

Initially, I used “Katamesti,” which I thought meant packed in Greek since I wanted to say “the beach is packed.”

When George reviewed the lesson, he indicated: Packed=Katamesti. You can also use “Gemati” (pronounced yemati), which stands for full.

Katamesti is by no means wrong. It just has more the sense of something that has a specific capacity – the beach probably doesn’t have a concrete number.

You often use it for stadiums (ex., a stadium of 80,000 seats is “Katamesto” when it sells out 80,000 tickets). It’s not wrong, but I thought of mentioning it.

Various slang words in Greek describe a packed place, but they can be challenging to pronounce, and some may have a dubious meaning.

Anyway, saying ‘Yem-ati” to describe a place as full is ok.

Things to say at the beach

When visiting a beach, you normally do things. It could be as simple as going for a swim, or getting a suntan. Here are some things you might want to say while at a Greek beach.

I’m going, for a, swim

Pao, ya, kol-ibi
Pow, ya, kol-ibi

Swim = Kolibi or Barnio (Barn-yor) (which is also the word for bathroom).

You can say “Pao ya Kolibi” as shown above.

Or simply “Pao ya Barnio” – This is more like “I’ll go swim.”

Let’s go, for a, swim

Parm-e, ya, kol-ibi
Parm-eh, ya, kol-ibi

I want, to, sunbathe

Thelo, na, karn-o ilio-thera-pia
Thelo, na, kano ilio-thera-pee-a

I want, to, get a tan

Thelo, na, mavris-or
Thel-or, na, mav-rizor

I want, to, relax

Thelo, na, carla-roso
Thelo, na, carla-rors-o

I want, to, get, something, to eat

Thelo, na, paro, kati, na fow
Thelo, na, paro, kati, na fao

I want, to, eat, an, ice cream

Thelo, na, fow, ena, parg-oto
Thelo, na, fao, ena, parg-or-tor

I want a beer

Thelo, mya, veera
Thel-o, mia, veera

Let’s get a drink

As, pioume, ena, port-o
Az, pyou-meh, ena, porto

Let’s stay for the sunset

As min-noum-e ya tor ilio-vars-il-ema
Az min-noom-e ya tor ilio-vars-ilema

Things to bring to the beach

When going to a Greek beach, you often have to bring things along with you like any other beach.

Items like a beach towel and sunscreen protection. And don’t forget your sunglasses!

So let’s take a look at a few Greek words related to things that you’ll probably want to take with you to the beach.

beach towel

pets-eta thal-arsis
petseta thal-arsis

sunglasses

ya-la ili-ou
ya-la ee-lee-ou

In Greek (English equivalent), sunglasses is commonly written as: yalia iliou.

sunscreen

anti-liako
ant-ili-arko

The start of the word “anti” means against. You could also say “Andiliako.”

hat

kap-elo
kapelo

flip-flops

say-yon-ar-es
sayon-ar-es

bag

tsarda
tsard-a

cooler

psi-yee-o
psi-yee-or

You can also say “Cooler.” The Greeks use the English version all the time.

water

nero
ner-o

food

fay-it-or
fay-it-o

Trofi can mean food in Greek, but nowadays, Greeks mainly use it for animals, like Skilotrofi (let’s say “Dogfood”).

Fagito (pronounced Fayito), or even Fa-ee (Φαγητό, φαϊ) are much better options.

phone

til-ef-fon-o
til-ef-fono

camera

foto-graf-iki mik-arn-i
foto grafiki mik-arni

mask and snorkel

maska ke arnarf-nef-steer-ras
maska ke anaf-nef-sti-ras

money

crim-art-a
crim-arta

Clothing for the beach

Most of you will want to wear something at a Greek beach. It could include a:

swimsuit

mar-yor
ma-yor

bikini

bik-ini
bikini

Pretty much the same as you would say it in English.

swim shorts (trunks)

ma-yor sorts
ma-yor sorrts

Here is another Greek word where the “rr” in “sorrts” needs a bit of emphasis, in a Greek kind of way. It sort of sounds like saying sor-rots very fast.

You will have to hear someone speak the word “sorts” if you want to pronounce it like a Greek. Listen to it online.

T-shirt

Koto-marn-iki blou-za
Korto-marn-iki blew-za

Natural Beach Sights

When visiting a Greek beach, you will notice familiar sights.

Try and practice saying these words when you see these sights in real life, even if you’re in another part of the world at an English named beach.

That way, you will improve your Greek beach vocabulary.

sun

il-iose
il-yose

sand

am-mos
ammos

sand dune

am-molo-fos
amolo-fos

pebbles

vots-ala
votsala

waves

kym-art-ista
kymartista

Note: Wave is pronounced Kyma in Greek.

clouds

syn-nefa
sin-nefa

Note: Cloud is pronounced Syn-nefo in Greek.

fish

psari
psa-ri

dolphin

delf-ini
delfini

Note: Dolphins is pronounced Delphinia (Delphin-ya) in Greek.

seagull

glar-ose
glaros

Note: Seagulls is pronounced Glar-i (Glar-ri) in Greek.

turtle

h-ye-lona
h-yel-ona

seashell

kor-hili
ko-hyli

swimmers

kor-lym-vit-es
kor-lim-vit-es

beautiful woman   /   beautiful girl

o-morr-fi yee-necka   /   o-morr-fo kor-ritsi
omorr-fi yea-neck-a   /   omorr-fo kor-rits-i

Notice how “omorfi” is used for a woman, whereas “omorfo” is used for a girl.

Note: Women is pronounced Yea-neck-es in Greek. A girl is pronounced Kor-rits-ia in Greek.

topless woman   /   topless girl

torp-less yee-necka   /   torp-less kor-ritsi
torp-less yea-neck-a   /   torp-less kor-itsi

Trees at Greek beaches (and plants)

Many Greek beaches have trees nearby, so here’s how to say a few tree names in Greek.

tree

ded-ror
dead-ror

Note: Trees is pronounced Ded-ra in Greek.

palm tree

fin-ik-ars
finik-ars

Yes, there are palm trees in Greece, especially on the big island of Crete.

The most famous place where there are palm trees in Greece has to be at one of the best beaches in Crete.

pine tree

pef-kor
pefk-o

Tamarisk

Almiriki
Almi-riki

The tamarisk tree is one you’ll often see at Greek beaches. In English, it is also called “salt cedar.”

Here is one of George’s responses: Tamarisk. It’s one of the best trees in Greece 🙂 Since they grow next to the sea, we call them Almiriki (or even Armiriki).

Almira is the saltiness, so it’s safe to assume that Almiriki is the “tree of the salt(iness).

Almiriki tree (Tamarisk tree). Same thing.

shrub

tham-nos
thamnos

grass

grah-sith-i
gra-sithi

Beach clubs and umbrellas

In Greece, you will see many beaches with umbrellas. However, you will normally have to pay to sit under an umbrella, especially at the beach clubs.

Speaking a few of these Greek words will assist you in getting a comfortable seat under an umbrella.

Note: Chairs are pretty uncommon in Greece. 99% of the time, it is a sunbed (Xaplostra).

sunbed

xa-plostra
xa-plost-ra

umbrella

or-brella
o-brel-la

How much, is the, sunbed?

Pors-o kost-iz-ee, i, xa-plostra
Pors-or kostiz-ee, ee, xa-plost-ra

Alternatively, you can also say: Poso kanee ee xaplostra?

As a reply, you may hear: Kostizei 10 euro tin imera (It costs 10 euros per day)

Your reply could be Oraia (Good). Tha ithela mia xaplostra kai mia obrela.

I would like a, sunbed, near the, shore, please

Tha ithela mee-ya, xa-plostra, kor-tha stin, ark-ti, parakalo
Tha ithela mee-ya, xa-plost-ra, kor-tha stin, arkti, parakalo

beach chair

ka-reck-la para-lias
ka-reck-la pa-ra-lee-as

We would like, two, chairs, please

Tha thel-arm-e, thee-o, ka-reck-less
Tha thel-arm-e, thee-or, ka-rek-les

under an, umbrella, thanks

kato apor mi-yow, or-brella, ef-har-ist-o
kart-o apor mi-yow, or-brel-la, ef-har-isto

How much, for an, umbrella?

Porsor ya, mee-yow, or-brella
Pors-or ya, myai, or-brel-la

Random things to say at the Beach (in Greek)

When you’re at the beach with someone, you say stuff. Here are some suggestions:

It’s, hot

In-ne, zesto
In-ne, zest-or

I’m, getting sunburnt

Keg-o-meh, arpo ton ilio
Keg-or-meh, arpo to il-ior

You are getting sunburnt

Ke-yeah-se arpo ton ilio
ke-ye-se arpo ton il-io

Put on some, sunscreen

Varlt-e lig-or, athi-li-arkor
Varlt-e ligo, arthil-i-arkor

the sea breeze is, fantastic

i avra tis thal-assis in-ne, fantas-tiki
i arv-ra tis thal-ars-iss in-ne, fantast-iki

the, wind, is, strong

o, arn-emos, in-ne, dyn-atos
or, arn-emos, in-ne. dynatos

Which, beach, is the best, on the island?

Pya, pa-ra-lia, in-ne i karli-teri, stor nisi
P-ya para-lee-a, in-e i karli-teri, stor nisi

What is, the, temperature, today?

Ti in-ne, i, thermo-kras-ia, sim-era
Ti in-ne, i thermo-krasia sim-e-ra 

Where do you want to sit?

Pou thes na kathis-eis
Pou thes na kathis-eis

let’s sit under the, tree

as kath-i-soum-e kato apo tor, dead-ro
az kath-i-soum-e kart-or arp-o tor, dead-ror

let’s find, some shade

as vroum-me, ligi skia
az vroom-e, ligi skia

the sunset is, beautiful

tor ilio-varsil-ema in-e, o-morr-fo
tor ilio-varsil-ema-in-ne, omorr-fo

check her out

tsek-ar-e tin
tsek-ar-e tin

Tsekare tin – used when you want one person to check her out.

Tsekarete tin – is used if you talk to many people (because you go with the plural).

Let’s go

Parm-e
Par-meh

Boats you will see at a Greek Beach

When looking out to sea from a Greek beach, you will often see at least one type of boat.

Practice saying these Greek words when you see a boat on the water.

boat

scar-fos
scarfos

Generally refers to a modern boat.

boat (older style)

varka
var-ka

Generally refers to older and smaller boats, like the ones the fishers have. Includes boats that have oars.

Note: Boats is pronounced Varkes (Vark-es) in Greek.

When saying this, the “r” is pronounced in a Greek kind of way.

speedboat

tarhee-a venzi-narkatos
tar-hee-a venzi-nark-artos

sailing boat

istio-foro
ist-ior-foro

ship

plee-o
plee-or

cruise ship

krou-az-ye-roplio
krew-az-ye-roplior

yacht

yiot
yiot

It is pretty much the same as the English word for a yacht.

ferry

ferry
ferry

Initially, I had porth-mee-o as the Greek word for the ferry. But apparently, that word means ferry terminal.

Greeks also use the word ferry.

water taxi

thar-lars-io tarxi
thar-larsi-or tarxi

kayak

ee-dos xyl-in-is vark-arse
ee-dos xylinis vark-arse

jet ski

zet ski
zet skee

Greek Beach Words and Phrases (Miscellaneous)

Karlo-keri – Summer

skini – tent

i barla – the ball

karst-ro arpo arm-mor – sand castle 

Greek Beach Vocabulary – Conclusion

Greek lesson 6 has shown you many words and phrases related to Greek beaches.

So next time you’re in Greece, try and speak Greek at the beach.

One of the best things to do at the beach is to eat ice cream. So make sure you also speak Greek when ordering ice cream, explained in Greek lesson 5.

Key Greek words/phrases/sentences taught in LESSON 6: 90

Total number of key Greek words/phrases/sentences from all lessons so far: 150

George loves going to the beach like most Greeks, but can you guess George’s favorite food that he enjoys eating while relaxing at the beach?

It’s tomatoes and cheese! You can read all about it in a post like Aegina: Sea In A Bag. You will also pick up a food cooling technique that seems pretty ingenious.

George in Greece

Once again, thank you to George for taking the time to review and improve another Greek lesson. This time about Greek beach vocabulary!

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Greek Beach Vocabulary Greek Lesson