Food and drinks are essential topics in any language, especially when traveling or dining out. This lesson introduces vocabulary for common foods and drinks in Greek, along with phrases for ordering and talking about meals.

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1. Common Foods

English	Greek	Pronunciation
Bread	Ψωμί	Psomí
Cheese	Τυρί	Tirí
Meat	Κρέας	Kréas
Fish	Ψάρι	Psári
Chicken	Κοτόπουλο	Kotópoulo
Salad	Σαλάτα	Saláta
Fruit	Φρούτο	Fróuto
Vegetable	Λαχανικό	Lahanikó
Rice	Ρύζι	Rízi
Pasta	Ζυμαρικά	Zimariká
Soup	Σούπα	Soúpa

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2. Common Drinks

English	Greek	Pronunciation
Water	Νερό	Neró
Wine	Κρασί	Krasí
Beer	Μπύρα	Bíra
Coffee	Καφές	Kafés
Tea	Τσάι	Tsái
Juice	Χυμός	Himós
Milk	Γάλα	Gála
Soda	Αναψυκτικό	Anapsyktikó

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3. Useful Phrases for Ordering

Asking for Food or Drinks:

• I would like…

  • Θα ήθελα… (Tha íthela…)
  • Example: Θα ήθελα ένα καφέ. (Tha íthela éna kafé. – I would like a coffee.)

• Can I have…?

  • Μπορώ να έχω… (Boró na ého…)
  • Example: Μπορώ να έχω λίγο ψωμί; (Boró na ého lígo psomí? – Can I have some bread?)

• What do you recommend?

  • Τι προτείνετε; (Ti protínete?)

Asking About Food:

• What is this?

  • Τι είναι αυτό; (Ti íne aftó?)

• Is it spicy?

  • Είναι πικάντικο; (Íne pikántiko?)

• Do you have vegetarian options?

  • Έχετε χορτοφαγικές επιλογές; (Éhete hortofagikés epilogés?)

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4. Sample Conversations

Informal: Ordering at a Café

A: Καλημέρα! Θα ήθελα έναν καφέ και ένα νερό.
(Kaliméra! Tha íthela énan kafé ke éna neró. – Good morning! I’d like a coffee and a water.)

B: Σκέτο, μέτριο, ή γλυκό;
(Skéto, métrio, í glikó? – Black, medium, or sweet?)

A: Μέτριο, παρακαλώ.
(Métrio, parakaló. – Medium, please.)

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Formal: Ordering at a Restaurant

A: Καλησπέρα σας! Τι προτείνετε;
(Kalispéra sas! Ti protínete? – Good evening! What do you recommend?)

B: Προτείνουμε τη χωριάτικη σαλάτα και το φρέσκο ψάρι.
(Protínoume ti horiátiki saláta ke to frésko psári. – We recommend the Greek salad and the fresh fish.)

C: Θα ήθελα μία χωριάτικη σαλάτα και ένα ψάρι, παρακαλώ.
(Tha íthela mía horiátiki saláta ke éna psári, parakaló. – I’d like a Greek salad and a fish, please.)

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5. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the Vocabulary

Match the Greek words with their English meanings:

1. Σαλάτα
2. Καφές
3. Νερό
4. Ψάρι
   • a. Salad
   • b. Coffee
   • c. Water
   • d. Fish

Exercise 2: Translate to Greek

Translate the following phrases into Greek:

1. I would like some bread.
2. Can I have a tea and a juice?
3. Do you have vegetarian options?

Exercise 3: Role Play

Practice ordering food and drinks with a partner, taking turns as the customer and the waiter.

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6. Cultural Note

Greek dining culture emphasizes hospitality, fresh ingredients, and leisurely meals. Traditional dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and tzatziki are staples, and meals often end with a complimentary dessert or fruit.