μία μπύρα παρακαλώ
mía býra parakaló
The English phrase "one beer please" is translated into Greek as μία μπύρα παρακαλώ (mía býra parakaló).
This phrase is a polite request used to order a single beer from a server.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of μία (one), μπύρα (beer) and παρακαλώ (please).
How do you pronounce it?
mía býra parakaló
Did you know?
- The word παρακαλώ literally means 'to call beside' or 'to invite near', stemming from the prefix 'para-' and the verb 'kaló', meaning 'to call'.
- The term μπύρα is a loanword that entered Greek, unlike many other basic food and drink terms which have direct Ancient Greek ancestors.
- If you are ordering in a more casual setting, you might hear people drop the παρακαλώ and simply say μία μπύρα, φίλε (one beer, friend), which is a very common way to sound local.
Examples in context
- Θα ήθελα μία μπύρα παρακαλώ.Tha ithela mia birra parakalo.I would like one beer please.
Example conversation
A customer orders a drink at a seaside cafe.
- Ελένη EleniΓεια σας, μία μπύρα παρακαλώ.Ya sas, mia byra parakalo.Hello, one beer please.
- Νίκος NikosΒέβαια, θα τη φέρω τώρα.Vevea, tha ti fero tora.Of course, I'll bring it now.
- Ελένη EleniΕυχαριστώ πολύ, Νίκο.Efcharisto poly, Niko.Thank you very much, Nikos.
- Νίκος NikosΠαρακαλώ, Ελένη.Parakalo, Eleni.You're welcome, Eleni.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries μία, παρακαλώ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
