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.
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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