μία μπύρα
mia bhyra
The Greek phrase for "one beer" is μία μπύρα (mia bhyra).
μία μπύρα is used to specify a single serving of beer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for "one" (μία) is in the feminine form to agree with the feminine noun μπύρα.
How do you pronounce it?
mia bhyra
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the masculine form έναν instead of the feminine μία when ordering a beer.
Did you know?
- In Greece, ordering μία μπύρα is often accompanied by a subtle nod of the head, which can be confused with a 'no' by foreigners since a slight upward head tilt often signifies negation.
- In a Greek tavern, ordering ένα μπυράκι might actually get you a standard-sized beer rather than a small one, as the diminutive is used to signal a relaxed, social mood.
- The word μπύρα is a loanword that entered Modern Greek via the Italian 'birra' or German 'Bier', rather than being inherited from Ancient Greek.
Examples in context
- Θέλω μία μπύρα, παρακαλώ.Thélo mía býra, parakaló.I want one beer, please.
- Θα ήθελα μία μπύρα παγωμένη.Tha íthela mía býra pagoméni.I would like one cold beer.
- Μία μπύρα είναι αρκετή για μένα.Mía býra íne arketí gia ména.One beer is enough for me.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Nikos are at a bar.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΝίκο, τι θα παραγγείλεις;Níko, ti tha parangíleis?Nikos, what will you order?
- Νίκος NikosΘα πάρω μία μπύρα.Tha páro μία býra.I will have one beer.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΚι εγώ θα πάρω το ίδιο.Ki egó tha páro to idio.I will have the same.
- Νίκος NikosΤέλεια, τις παραγγέλνω τώρα.Téleia, tis parangélno tóra.Great, I'm ordering them now.
