Όχι, ευχαριστώ
Óchi, efcharistó
To say no, thank you in Greek, say Όχι, ευχαριστώ, romanized Óchi, efcharistó.
Όχι, ευχαριστώ is the polite way to turn down food, a drink or help that someone offers you.
What does it mean word for word?
Όχι means no and ευχαριστώ means thank you. Word for word ευχαριστώ means I thank.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is Óchi, efcharistó. The accent marks show the stress, on the first syllable of Óchi and on the last syllable of efcharistó. The ch is a breathy sound like the ch in Scottish loch.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not put the stress in the wrong place. Greek always marks it with an accent, and moving it can make a word hard to understand.
When do people say it?
Greeks often signal no without words by tilting the head slightly up and back, sometimes with a click of the tongue. It is easy for visitors to read this gesture as a nod.
Did you know?
- The word ευχαριστώ is the root of the English word 'eucharist'. Both terms originate from the Greek concept of gratitude and giving thanks.
- While ευχαριστώ means 'thank you', the root χάρις refers to 'grace' or 'favor', linking the act of declining politely to the concept of showing grace.
- The word Όχι is a direct descendant of the Ancient Greek word οὐχί, meaning the way you say 'no' today has remained remarkably consistent for millennia.
Examples in context
- Όχι, ευχαριστώ, δεν θέλω άλλο καφέ.Ochi, efharisto, den thelo allo kafe.No, thank you, I don't want more coffee.
- Όχι, ευχαριστώ, είμαι ήδη χορτασμένος.Ochi, efharisto, eimai idi chortasmenos.No, thank you, I am already full.
Example conversation
Kyriaki is offered a drink by Dimitris.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΘέλεις ένα ποτήρι νερό;Thelis ena potiri nero?Do you want a glass of water?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΌχι, ευχαριστώ, Δημήτρη.Ochi, efcharisto, Dimitri.No, thank you, Dimitris.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕίσαι σίγουρη;Eisai sigoura?Are you sure?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝαι, είμαι καλά.Ne, eimai kala.Yes, I am fine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ευχαριστώ, όχι, CC BY-SA 4.0.
