Γεια σου
yia souinformal
The Greek for "hello" is Γεια σου (yia sou). English speakers spell it "Ya sou", "Yia sou" or "Yassou", and all of them stand for the same Greek words. It is also called Γεια σας (yia sas) and Χαίρετε (chaírete).
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Γεια σου | yia sou | informal |
| Γεια σας | yia sas | polite |
| Χαίρετε | chaírete | formal |
Γεια σου is for one person you know. Γεια σας (yia sas) is for several people or someone you address politely.
How do you pronounce it?
Say "yah soo" with the stress on the first syllable. The letters ει in Greek sound like "ee", but in γεια the ε and ι blend into a "y" sound.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English spellings vary because there is no single way to write Greek sounds in Latin letters, so do not worry if you see "Yassou" in one place and "Ya sou" in another.
Did you know?
- Γεια comes from υγεία (ygeía), "health", so the greeting wishes the other person good health.
Examples in context
- Γεια σου, Νίκο.Yia sou, Níko.Hello, Nikos.
- Γεια σας, κυρία Άννα.Yia sas, kyría Ánna.Hello, Mrs Anna.
- Γεια σου, χαίρομαι που σε βλέπω.Yia sou, chaíromai pou se vlépo.Hello, I am happy to see you.
Example conversation
Tom visits Athens and greets Dimitra at a bakery.
- TomΓεια σας.Yia sas.Hello.
- DimitraΓεια σου. Τι θα θέλεις.Yia sou. Ti tha thélis.Hello. What would you like.
- TomΈνα κουλούρι, παρακαλώ.Éna koulóuri, parakaló.A bread ring, please.
