όλα είναι καλά
óla eínai kalá
In Greek, "everything is good" is translated as όλα είναι καλά (óla eínai kalá).
The phrase is used to say that a situation is satisfactory or that there are no problems.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of όλα (everything), είναι (is) and καλά (well/good).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word όλα is the neuter plural form of "all", which is used here to mean "everything".
How do you pronounce it?
óla eínai kalá
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, saying όλα είναι καλά with a rising inflection can actually be used sarcastically to imply that things are clearly not good.
- While καλά means 'good', if a Greek person answers καλά to 'How are you?', it is often a polite social mask regardless of their actual mood.
- The word όλα shares an ancient root with the English word 'whole', both originating from the same Proto-Indo-European source meaning 'entire' or 'complete'.
Examples in context
- Γεια σας! Όλα είναι καλά σήμερα;Hello! Is everything good today?
- Ώπα! Όλα κομπλέ;Hey! Everything good?
- Μην ανησυχείς, όλα είναι καλά.Min anisychis, ola einai kala.Don't worry, everything is good.
- Εδώ όλα είναι καλά.Edó ola einai kala.Everything is good here.
- Είμαι σίγουρος ότι όλα είναι καλά.Ime sigouros oti ola einai kala.I am sure that everything is good.
Example conversation
Maria and Kostas meet for coffee to catch up.
- Μαρία MariaΓεια σου Κώστα, όλα είναι καλά;Geia sou Kósta, óla eínai kalá?Hello Kostas, is everything good?
- Κώστας KostasΝαι Μαρία, όλα είναι καλά εδώ.Nai María, óla eínai kalá edó.Yes Maria, everything is good here.
- Μαρία MariaΧαίρομαι πολύ να το ακούω.Chaíromai polý na to akoúo.I am very glad to hear that.
- Κώστας KostasΕυχαριστώ, εσύ πώς είσαι;Efcharistó, esý pós eísai?Thanks, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries είναι, όλα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
