Basics of Numbers in the Greek Language

Written by Greek Boston in Learn How to Speak Basic Greek Comments Off on Basics of Numbers in the Greek Language

When gaining a basic understanding of a language, whether or for travel or just to understand the language casually, there are some skills that come in especially handy. Becoming comfortable with the numbers is one of those skills, especially since you will be encountering numbers on a regular basis while in the country.

Why You Need Numbers in Greek

You will encounter numbers on a regular basis while you are in Greek. In fact, numbers are so common you may initially underestimate how often you will see them. Your best bet is to spend some time at least memorizing the basic numbers. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why you will need to know numbers in Greek:

• When ordering food and other items to indicate quantity.
• When describing distances or looking at street signs.
• While shopping or dining, especially when it comes time to pay or settle your bill.
• In order to tell the time or to ask for the time.

The Numbers from 1 to 20 in Greek

It may seem like a lot of vocabulary, but it really isn’t that bad. You will be using these numbers so often that it won’t take you long to get a handle on them. Read this list out loud a few times and then write each number out by hand in Greek. You can also create flashcards in order to learn them even more in depth. However, you don’t need to spend too much time on this if you don’t want. It is simply enough to be aware of these numbers. As you experience the Greek language more and more you will automatically get a handle on

• One – ένα – ena
• Two – δύο – thio (th pronounced like “the”)
• Three – τρία – tria
• Four – τέσσερα – tessera
• Five -πέντε – pendi
• Six – έξι – exi
• Seven – εφτά – efta
• Eight – οχτώ – ochto
• Nine – εννιά – ennea
• Ten – δέκα – theka (th pronounced like “the”)
• Eleven – έντεκα – endeka
• Twelve – δώδεκα – thotheka (th pronounced like “the”))
• Thirteen – δεκατρία – thekatria (th pronounced like “the”)
• Fourteen – δεκατέσσερα – thekatria (th pronounced like “the”)
• Fifteen – δεκαπέντε – thekapende (th pronounced like “the”)
• Sixteen – δεκαέξι – thekaexi (th pronounced like “the”)
• Seventeen – δεκαεπτά – thekaepta (th pronounced like “the”)
• Eighteen – δεκαοχτώ – thekaochto (th pronounced like “the”)
• Nineteen – δεκαεννέα – thekaennea (th pronounced like “the”)
• Twenty – είκοσι – ikosi

Once you learn how to say the numbers in Greek, you will find that basic situations become easier to navigate. In English, we take it for granted how important numbers really are. The sooner you get comfortable with the numbers, the better off you’ll be. It will be so much easier to make strides in the language if you’re comfortable.

The Learn Greek section on GreekBoston.com was written by Greeks to help people understand the conversational basics of the Greek language. This article is not a substitute for a professional Greek learning program, but a helpful resource for people wanting to learn simple communication in Greek.

Categorized in: Learn How to Speak Basic Greek

This post was written by Greek Boston