χρόνια πολλά, φίλε μου
chronia polla, file mou
χρόνια πολλά, φίλε μου (chronia polla, file mou) is how you say 'happy birthday my friend' in Greek.
This phrase is a greeting used to wish a friend a happy birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'many years, my friend'.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter several variations. Χρόνια πολλά, φίλε! is an informal way to say 'Many years, friend!', while Χρόνια πολλά και καλά, φίλε! translates to 'Many happy years, friend!' You can use Να τα εκατοστήσεις, φίλε μου!, which literally means 'May you reach 100'.
How do you pronounce it?
chronia polla, file mou
Did you know?
- While 'happy birthday' is the English intent, the phrase χρόνια πολλά is actually the standard Greek greeting for almost every major holiday, including Christmas and Easter.
- In Greece, people often celebrate a 'name day' as much as or more than a birthday, yet they use the exact same χρόνια πολλά greeting for both.
- The word χρόνια comes from the masculine χρόνος, which is the root of the English word 'chronological'.
Examples in context
- Χρόνια πολλά, φίλε μου, να είσαι πάντα γερός.Chronia polla, file mou, na eisai panta geros.Happy birthday, my friend, may you always be healthy.
Example conversation
Anastasia meets Kostas at a cafe to celebrate his birthday.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΓεια σου Κώστα! Χρόνια πολλά, φίλε μου!Geia sou Kósta! Chrónia pollá, fíle mou!Hello Kostas! Happy birthday, my friend!
- Κώστας KostasΕυχαριστώ πολύ, Αναστασία!Efcharistó polý, Anastasía!Thank you very much, Anastasia!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΟρίστε, ένα μικρό δώρο για σένα.Oríste, éna mikró dóro gia séna.Here, a small gift for you.
- Κώστας KostasΕίσαι πολύ ευγενική, ευχαριστώ!Eísai polý evgenikí, efcharistó!You are very kind, thank you!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μου, χρόνια, CC BY-SA 4.0.
