γεια σου κοπέλα
geia sou kopéla
The phrase "hey girl" in Greek is γεια σου κοπέλα (geia sou kopéla).
γεια σου κοπέλα is an informal greeting used when addressing a young woman or a girl.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of γεια σου (hello to you) and κοπέλα (girl/young woman).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the singular informal form of "you" (σου).
How do you pronounce it?
geia sou kopéla
Did you know?
- The word κοπέλα has an unexpected and somewhat scandalous linguistic history, tracing back to South Proto-Slavic words for 'sprout' or 'bastard'.
- While γεια σου is used for 'hello', it is also the most common way to say 'goodbye' in informal Greek settings.
- In Greece, a common gesture accompanying an informal greeting like γεια σου is a light kiss on both cheeks, starting with the right.
Example conversation
Kostas meets Anastasia at a cafe.
- Κώστας KostasΓεια σου κοπέλα! Τι κάνεις;Geia sou kopéla! Ti káneis?Hey girl! How are you doing?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΓεια σου Κώστα! Είμαι καλά, εσύ;Geia sou Kósta! Eímai kalá, esý?Hi Kostas! I'm fine, you?
- Κώστας KostasΌλα καλά. Θέλεις έναν καφέ;Óla kalá. Thélis énan kafé?All good. Do you want a coffee?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝαι, πολύ ευχαριστώ!Nai, polý efcharistó!Yes, thank you very much!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γεια, κοπέλα, σου, CC BY-SA 4.0.
