καλώς όρισες
kalós órises/kalosˈoɾises/
The English phrase "welcome back" is translated into Greek as καλώς όρισες (kalós órises).
There is also an informal expression, Καλώς τον… ξανά, which is used specifically when welcoming back a male friend or family member.
Meaning: welcome back (phrase)
Which one should you use?
Καλώς τον… ξανά is a specific informal variation used for a male person, translating literally to "well him… again".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kalós órises. The IPA pronunciation is /kalosˈoɾises/.
Did you know?
- The word καλώς is a cognate of the word καούρ used in Tsakonian, a rare dialect spoken on Mount Parnon that preserves features of Ancient Greek lost in Standard Modern Greek.
- In a social setting, after someone says καλώς όρισες, it is common and polite for the returning person to respond with καλώς σε βρήκα.
- When welcoming someone back, Greeks may use the phrase καλώς όρισες even if the person has only been gone for a few minutes, as a way of showing warmth and affection.
Examples in context
- Καλώς όρισες στο σπίτι!Kalós órisas sto spíti!Welcome back home!
Example conversation
Kostas greets Maria as she arrives at her apartment after a trip.
- Κώστας KostasΚαλώς όρισες, Μαρία!Kalós órisas, María!Welcome back, Maria!
- Μαρία MariaΕυχαριστώ πολύ, Κώστα.Efcharistó polý, Kósta.Thank you very much, Kostas.
- Κώστας KostasΠώς ήταν το ταξίδι σου;Pós ítan to taxídi sou;How was your trip?
- Μαρία MariaΉταν υπέροχο!Ítan ypérocho!It was wonderful!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry καλώς όρισες, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries καλώς, CC BY-SA 4.0.
