Παρακαλώ
parakalóeveryday, Cyprus
In Cyprus "please" is Παρακαλώ (parakaló), the standard Greek word. Σε παρακαλώ (se parakaló) is the form for a friend and Σας παρακαλώ (sas parakaló) is the polite one.
Meaning: polite request word (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Παρακαλώ | parakaló | everyday, Cyprus |
| Σε παρακαλώ | se parakaló | informal |
| Σας παρακαλώ | sas parakaló | polite |
Put σε παρακαλώ next to a request, as in Δώσε μου νερό, σε παρακαλώ (dóse mou neró, se parakaló), "give me water, please".
Which one should you use?
Παρακαλώ alone also means "you are welcome" and "pardon me", so the meaning depends on the situation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use Σας παρακαλώ with strangers, older people and in shops or offices.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cypriot Greek is a spoken dialect, and in writing Cypriots use standard Greek, so the spelling is the same in Cyprus and in Athens.
Did you know?
- The verb παρακαλώ (parakaló) really means "I ask" or "I beg", which is why it works both as "please" and as "you are welcome".
Examples in context
- Σε παρακαλώ, κάτσε εδώ.Se parakaló, kátse edó.Please sit here.
- Σας παρακαλώ, ένα νερό.Sas parakaló, éna neró.A water, please.
- Παρακαλώ, περάστε μέσα.Parakaló, peráste mésa.Please, come in.
Example conversation
Christina orders at a bakery in Limassol and the Baker serves her.
- ChristinaΚαλημέρα. Ένα κουλούρι, σας παρακαλώ.Kaliméra. Éna koulóuri, sas parakaló.Good morning. A bread ring, please.
- BakerΠαρακαλώ, ορίστε.Parakaló, oríste.Here you are.
- ChristinaΕυχαριστώ πολύ.Efcharistó polý.Thank you very much.
