Γεια μας
yia maseveryday
"Yamas" is the English spelling of the Greek toast Γεια μας (yia mas). It means "health to us" and Greeks say it when they clink glasses. It is also called Γεια σου (yia sou) and Στην υγειά μας (stin ygiá mas).
Meaning: toast when drinking (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Γεια μας | yia mas | everyday |
| Γεια σου | yia sou | to one person |
| Στην υγειά μας | stin ygiá mas | warm |
Say it to a group. To one person the toast becomes Γεια σου (yia sou), "health to you".
What does it mean word for word?
Γεια (yia) is "health" and μας (mas) is "us". The English "Yamas" joins the two words into one.
How do you pronounce it?
It sounds like "YAH-mahs", with the stress on the first syllable. English speakers also write it "Yia mas" or "Ya mas".
Did you know?
- The same word γεια is used for both "hello" and "goodbye" in Greek.
Examples in context
- Γεια σου, Μαρία.Yia sou, María.Cheers, Maria.
- Στην υγειά μας.Stin ygiá mas.To our health.
Example conversation
A Tourist learns the toast from a Waiter in Athens.
- WaiterΓεια μας!Yia mas!Cheers!
- WaiterΠολύ καλά, μιλάτε ελληνικά.Polý kalá, miláte elliniká.Very good, you speak Greek.
