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How to Ask for Directions in Greek

This phrasebook focuses on a real everyday directions conversation in Greece. You’ll learn how to get someone’s attention, ask where a place is and how to get there, understand common replies like “go straight” or “turn left,” check a detail if you didn’t hear it clearly, and end the exchange politely.

Useful in real conversations

Essential Greek phrases

Getting someone’s attention

Short openers you can use before asking for directions.

  • Συγγνώμη.

    Romanization: Singnomi.

    Excuse me.

  • Με συγχωρείτε;

    Romanization: Me singhoreíte?

    Excuse me?

  • Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;

    Romanization: Boreíte na me voithísete?

    Can you help me?

  • Μιλάτε αγγλικά;

    Romanization: Miláte angliká?

    Do you speak English?

  • Ξέρετε πού είναι [place];

    Romanization: Xérete pou íne [place];

    Do you know where [place] is?

Asking where a place is

Questions for finding a destination, checking distance, and asking about transport.

  • Πού είναι [place];

    Romanization: Pou íne [place];

    Where is [place]?

  • Πώς πάω στο [place];

    Romanization: Pos páo sto [place];

    How do I get to [place]?

  • Είναι κοντά;

    Romanization: Íne kontá?

    Is it nearby?

  • Είναι μακριά;

    Romanization: Íne makriá?

    Is it far?

  • Μπορώ να πάω με τα πόδια;

    Romanization: Boró na páo me ta pódia?

    Can I walk there?

  • Ποιο λεωφορείο πάει εκεί;

    Romanization: Pio leoforío pái eki?

    Which bus goes there?

Understanding directions

Common instructions and landmarks you are likely to hear in a directions answer.

  • Πηγαίνετε ευθεία.

    Romanization: Piyénete efthía.

    Go straight.

  • Στρίψτε αριστερά.

    Romanization: Strípste aristerá.

    Turn left.

  • Στρίψτε δεξιά.

    Romanization: Strípste dexiá.

    Turn right.

  • Στο πρώτο φανάρι.

    Romanization: Sto próto fanári.

    At the first traffic light.

  • Στην επόμενη γωνία.

    Romanization: Stin epómeni gonía.

    At the next corner.

Clarifying and thanking

Ways to check what you heard, ask for it again, and close the conversation politely.

  • Δεν άκουσα καλά.

    Romanization: Den ákusa kalá.

    I didn't catch that.

  • Μπορείτε να το επαναλάβετε;

    Romanization: Boreíte na to epanalávete?

    Can you repeat it?

  • Μπορείτε να το γράψετε;

    Romanization: Boreíte na to grápsete?

    Can you write it down?

  • Δηλαδή, στο πρώτο φανάρι;

    Romanization: Diladi, sto próto fanári?

    So, at the first traffic light?

  • Ευχαριστώ πολύ.

    Romanization: Efharistó polý.

    Thank you very much.

Example conversations

Finding the library

You stop a passerby to ask where the library is.

  1. You

    Συγγνώμη.

    Singnomi.

    Excuse me.

  2. Other person

    Ναι;

    Ne?

    Yes?

  3. You

    Ξέρετε πού είναι η βιβλιοθήκη;

    Xérete pou íne i vivliothíki?

    Do you know where the library is?

  4. Other person

    Ναι. Πηγαίνετε ευθεία και στρίψτε δεξιά στην επόμενη γωνία.

    Ne. Piyénete efthía kai strípste dexiá stin epómeni gonía.

    Yes. Go straight and turn right at the next corner.

  5. You

    Ευχαριστώ πολύ.

    Efharistó polý.

    Thank you very much.

  6. Other person

    Παρακαλώ.

    Parakaló.

    You're welcome.

Getting to the metro station

You ask for directions to the metro station and confirm the first turn.

  1. You

    Με συγχωρείτε;

    Me singhoreíte?

    Excuse me?

  2. Other person

    Παρακαλώ;

    Parakaló?

    Yes?

  3. You

    Πώς πάω στο μετρό;

    Pos páo sto metró?

    How do I get to the metro station?

  4. Other person

    Πηγαίνετε ευθεία. Στο πρώτο φανάρι στρίψτε αριστερά.

    Piyénete efthía. Sto próto fanári strípste aristerá.

    Go straight. At the first traffic light, turn left.

  5. You

    Δηλαδή, στο πρώτο φανάρι;

    Diladi, sto próto fanári?

    So, at the first traffic light?

  6. Other person

    Ναι, ακριβώς. Μετά είναι κοντά.

    Ne, akrivós. Metá íne kontá.

    Yes, exactly. After that, it is nearby.

  7. You

    Ευχαριστώ πολύ.

    Efharistó polý.

    Thank you very much.

  8. Other person

    Παρακαλώ.

    Parakaló.

    You're welcome.

A few things to know

Register

polite by default

For strangers and service situations, use polite forms like μπορείτε and plural direction forms like στρίψτε and πηγαίνετε. Switch to informal forms only if the other person does first.

Try it yourself

Choose the right phrase

Pick what you would say in each situation.

Question 1 of 3

  1. Question 1
  2. Question 2
  3. Question 3
You want the person to repeat the directions. Which phrase fits best?

Keep building your everyday vocabulary

More Greek phrase guides

Greek Introductions: Essential PhrasesLearn how to greet someone, introduce yourself, exchange basic personal information, and close a first conversation naturally in modern Greek.Greek Restaurant and Café PhrasesGreek phrases for getting seated, ordering naturally, handling dietary needs, paying, and leaving in a restaurant or café.Greek Hotel and Accommodation PhrasesGreek hotel phrases for check-in, room questions, repair requests, and checkout in Greece.Essential Greek Shopping PhrasesPractical Greek for shopping in Greece: asking for help, finding an item, checking price, size, and colour, trying things on, paying, and handling a simple exchange or return.Greek Public Transport PhrasesGreek for getting around by bus, train, or metro in Greece: finding the right service, buying a ticket, checking times and stops, and asking for help if something goes wrong.

Put the phrases in context

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