How to Say "No Thanks" in Greek

όχι ευχαριστώ

óchi efcharistó

όχι ευχαριστώ (óchi efcharistó) is the Greek way to say no thanks.

This phrase is the standard, polite way to decline an offer of food, drink or assistance in both formal and informal settings.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of όχι (no) and ευχαριστώ (I thank/thank you).

In written Greek, a comma is often placed between όχι and ευχαριστώ to separate the negation from the expression of gratitude.

óchi efcharistó

When saying όχι (no), Greeks often perform a slight upward nod of the head which can look like a 'yes' to an English speaker.
The word 'ευχαριστώ' comes from the combination of 'ευ' (good) and 'χάρις' (grace/favor/thanks), which is also the root of the English word 'charity'.
In many Greek settings, especially with food, a person might say 'όχι ευχαριστώ' several times or even nod their head slightly to signal that they are genuinely full, rather than just being polite.

Σας ευχαριστώ για την πρόσκληση, αλλά δυστυχώς δεν μπορώ να παρευρεθώ.
Thank you for the invitation, but unfortunately, I cannot attend.
Σε ευχαριστώ, αλλά δεν μπορώ
Thank you, but I can't.
Όχι ευχαριστώ, έχω ήδη ένα.
Ochi efcharisto, echo idi ena.
No thanks, I already have one.

Anastasia offers Dimitris a piece of cake.

Αναστασία Anastasia

Δημήτρη, θέλεις ένα κομμάτι κέικ;
Dimítri, thélis éna kommáti kéik?
Dimitris, do you want a piece of cake?
Δημήτρης Dimitris

Όχι ευχαριστώ, Αναστασία, μόλις έφαγα.
Óchi efcharistó, Anastasía, mólis éfaga.
No thanks, Anastasia, I just ate.
Αναστασία Anastasia

Είσαι σίγουρος. Είναι πολύ νόστιμο!
Eísai sígouros? Eínai polý nóstimo!
Are you sure? It is very tasty!
Δημήτρης Dimitris

Είμαι σίγουρος, αλλά ευχαριστώ πολύ.
Eímai sígouros, allá efcharistó polý.
I am sure, but thank you very much.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏