Γεια σου, καλημέρα
Geia sou, kalimera
The English phrase "hello good morning" is translated into Greek as Γεια σου, καλημέρα (Geia sou, kalimera).
This phrase is a friendly greeting used to say hello to someone in the morning. In many social situations, Greeks will omit the Γεια σου part and simply say καλημέρα to greet someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Γεια σου, which means "hello" or "health to you" and καλημέρα, which means "good morning".
Which one should you use?
The form Γεια σου, καλημέρα is the singular, informal version. If you are addressing more than one person or want to be more formal, you should use Γεια σας, καλημέρα instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The choice between Γεια σου and Γεια σας depends on whether you are addressing one person informally or addressing multiple people or a single person formally.
How do you pronounce it?
Geia sou, kalimera
Did you know?
- The root of γεια is the same as the Greek goddess Hygieia, the goddess of health and cleanliness.
- In Greece, καλημέρα can be used both as a greeting when you arrive and as a way to say 'have a good day' when you leave during the morning hours.
- While καλημέρα means 'good morning', it is used as a greeting only until about 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM. After that, Greeks switch to καλησπέρα for the afternoon and evening.
Examples in context
- Γεια σου, καλημέρα, φίλε μου.Geia sou, kalimera, file mou.Hello, good morning, my friend.
- Γεια σου, καλημέρα, τι κάνεις;Geia sou, kalimera, ti kaneis;Hello, good morning, how are you?
- Γεια σου, καλημέρα, πώς είσαι;Geia sou, kalimera, pos eisai;Hello, good morning, how are you doing?
Example conversation
Anastasia meets Kostas at a local cafe in the morning.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΓεια σου, καλημέρα, Κώστα!Geia sou, kalimera, Kosta!Hello, good morning, Kostas!
- Κώστας KostasΓεια σου, καλημέρα, Αναστασία.Geia sou, kalimera, Anastasia.Hello, good morning, Anastasia.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠώς είσαι σήμερα;Pos eisai simera;How are you today?
- Κώστας KostasΠολύ καλά, ευχαριστώ.Poly kala, efcharisto.Very well, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γεια, καλημέρα, σου, CC BY-SA 4.0.
