καλή πτήση
kalí ptísi
The Greek phrase for "have a safe flight" is καλή πτήση (kalí ptísi).
You use καλή πτήση specifically to wish someone a pleasant and secure journey by plane.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "good flight", consisting of the adjective καλή (good) and the noun πτήση (flight).
Which one should you use?
While καλή πτήση is specific to flying, you can use Καλό ταξίδι to wish someone a good journey by any means of transport, as it is the most common way to say "have a safe journey" in Greek.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the feminine singular adjective καλή to agree with the feminine singular noun πτήση.
How do you pronounce it?
kalí ptísi
Did you know?
- While καλή πτήση is for planes, Greeks often say καλό ταξίδι for any trip, as the word ταξίδι originally described a journey made by a military convoy.
- The noun πτήση shares its roots with the ancient Greek word for 'wings', meaning the concept of flight is deeply connected to the physical imagery of feathered wings in its linguistic ancestry.
- In highly formal Greek settings, such as an announcement at an airport, you might hear the more elaborate ευτυχισμένη πτήση, which uses the word for 'happy' instead of 'good'.
Examples in context
- Καλή πτήση και τα λέμε!Kalí ptísi ke ta léme!Have a safe flight and talk to you later!
- Σου εύχομαι μια καλή πτήση.Sou éfchomai mia kalí ptísi.I wish you a safe flight.
- Καλή πτήση, φίλε μου!Kalí ptísi, fíle mou!Have a safe flight, my friend!
Example conversation
Giorgos is seeing Kyriaki off at the airport.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΏρα για την πτήση σου, Κυριακή.Ora gia tin ptisi sou, Kyriaki.It is time for your flight, Kyriaki.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝαι, πρέπει να πάω στο boarding.Ne, prepei na pao sto boarding.Yes, I have to go to boarding.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕντάξει, καλή πτήση!Entaxei, kali ptisi!All right, have a safe flight!
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕυχαριστώ, Γιώργο!Efharisto, Giorgo!Thank you, Giorgos!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πτήση, CC BY-SA 4.0.
