Greek Words for Directions: Essential Navigation Vocabulary
Mastering Greek words for directions is essential for navigating Greece with confidence. Whether you're exploring ancient ruins in Athens, wandering through Santorini's winding streets, or asking locals for help, these directional terms will prove invaluable.
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Essential Directions Vocabulary
These core Greek words for directions form the foundation of navigation vocabulary. Memorize these first, as you'll encounter them constantly in everyday situations.
| Word & Pronunciation | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| αριστεράah-ree-steh-RAH | left | Στρίψτε αριστερά στη γωνία. (Turn left at the corner.) |
| δεξιάthek-see-AH | right | Το φαρμακείο είναι δεξιά. (The pharmacy is on the right.) |
| ευθείαef-THEE-ah | straight ahead | Συνεχίστε ευθεία για 100 μέτρα. (Continue straight for 100 meters.) |
| μπροστάbro-STAH | in front / forward | Η στάση είναι μπροστά σας. (The stop is in front of you.) |
| πίσωPEE-so | behind / back | Πηγαίνετε πίσω στην πλατεία. (Go back to the square.) |
| κοντάkon-DAH | near / close | Είναι κοντά στο μουσείο. (It's near the museum.) |
| μακριάmak-ree-AH | far | Είναι πολύ μακριά για περπάτημα. (It's too far to walk.) |
| απέναντιah-PEH-nan-dee | opposite / across | Η τράπεζα είναι απέναντι. (The bank is across the street.) |
| δίπλαTHEE-plah | next to / beside | Το ξενοδοχείο είναι δίπλα στην εκκλησία. (The hotel is next to the church.) |
| η γωνίαee gho-NEE-ah | the corner | Στρίψτε στη γωνία. (Turn at the corner.) |
| το στενόto steh-NO | the alley / narrow street | Περάστε από το στενό. (Go through the alley.) |
| ο δρόμοςo THRO-mos | the road / street | Ακολουθήστε αυτόν τον δρόμο. (Follow this road.) |
| η διασταύρωσηee thee-ah-STAV-ro-see | the intersection / crossroads | Στην επόμενη διασταύρωση, στρίψτε δεξιά. (At the next intersection, turn right.) |
| πάνωPAH-no | up / above | Ανεβείτε πάνω στον λόφο. (Go up the hill.) |
| κάτωKAH-to | down / below | Κατεβείτε κάτω στην παραλία. (Go down to the beach.) |
| βόρειαVO-ree-ah | north | Η Θεσσαλονίκη είναι βόρεια. (Thessaloniki is to the north.) |
| νότιαNO-tee-ah | south | Πηγαίνουμε νότια. (We're going south.) |
Common Phrases for Asking and Giving Directions
Knowing individual words is helpful, but you'll need complete phrases to communicate effectively. Here are the most useful expressions for navigation situations.
| Phrase & Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|
| Πού είναι...;POO EE-neh...? | Where is...? |
| Πώς πάω στο/στη...;POS PAH-o sto/stee...? | How do I get to...? |
| Είναι μακριά;EE-neh mak-ree-AH? | Is it far? |
| Είναι κοντά από εδώ;EE-neh kon-DAH ah-PO eh-THO? | Is it close from here? |
| Μπορείτε να μου δείξετε στον χάρτη;bo-REE-teh na moo THEEK-seh-teh ston HAHR-tee? | Can you show me on the map? |
| Συνεχίστε ευθεία.see-neh-KHEE-steh ef-THEE-ah | Continue straight ahead. |
| Στρίψτε αριστερά/δεξιά.STREEP-steh ah-ree-steh-RAH/thek-see-AH | Turn left/right. |
| Είναι πέντε λεπτά με τα πόδια.EE-neh PEN-deh lep-TAH meh ta PO-thee-ah | It's five minutes on foot. |
| Χάθηκα.HAH-thee-kah | I'm lost. |
| Ψάχνω για...PSAH-khno yah... | I'm looking for... |
Usage Notes
Understanding the cultural and grammatical context of Greek words for directions will help you communicate more naturally.
- Formal vs. informal: The phrases above use the formal/plural form (εσείς). When speaking to someone your age or younger in casual settings, you can use the informal singular: Στρίψε instead of Στρίψτε, Συνέχισε instead of Συνεχίστε.
- Gestures matter: Greeks often use hand gestures while giving directions. A slight upward nod can mean "over there" while pointing with the chin is common.
- Landmarks over street names: Greeks frequently give directions using landmarks rather than street names. You'll hear references to churches (η εκκλησία), squares (η πλατεία), and kiosks (το περίπτερο).
- The article matters: Note that στο is used before neuter nouns and στη/στην before feminine nouns: στο μουσείο (to the museum), στην πλατεία (to the square).
- Distance is relative: When Greeks say something is κοντά (close), it may still be a 15-minute walk. Always ask Πόσα λεπτά; (How many minutes?) for clarity.
- Cardinal directions: While north, south, east (ανατολικά), and west (δυτικά) exist, they're used less in everyday conversation than in English. Locals prefer relative directions and landmarks.
Practice Sentences
Use these example sentences to practice Greek words for directions in context. Try reading them aloud to improve your pronunciation.
- Συγγνώμη, πού είναι ο σταθμός του μετρό;
See-GHNO-mee, POO EE-neh o stath-MOS too met-RO?
Excuse me, where is the metro station? - Στρίψτε αριστερά στα φανάρια και συνεχίστε ευθεία.
STREEP-steh ah-ree-steh-RAH sta fah-NAH-ree-ah keh see-neh-KHEE-steh ef-THEE-ah.
Turn left at the traffic lights and continue straight. - Η Ακρόπολη είναι πάνω στον λόφο, περίπου δέκα λεπτά από εδώ.
Ee Ah-KRO-po-lee EE-neh PAH-no ston LO-fo, peh-REE-poo THEH-ka lep-TAH ah-PO eh-THO.
The Acropolis is up on the hill, about ten minutes from here. - Το εστιατόριο είναι δίπλα στην τράπεζα, απέναντι από την πλατεία.
To es-tee-ah-TO-ree-o EE-neh THEE-plah steen TRAH-peh-zah, ah-PEH-nan-dee ah-PO teen plah-TEE-ah.
The restaurant is next to the bank, across from the square. - Περάστε τη γέφυρα και στρίψτε δεξιά στη δεύτερη διασταύρωση.
Peh-RAH-steh tee YEH-fee-rah keh STREEP-steh thek-see-AH stee THEF-teh-ree thee-ah-STAV-ro-see.
Cross the bridge and turn right at the second intersection. - Χάθηκα. Μπορείτε να με βοηθήσετε;
HAH-thee-kah. Bo-REE-teh na meh vo-ee-THEE-seh-teh?
I'm lost. Can you help me? - Είναι πολύ μακριά για περπάτημα. Πάρτε ταξί.
EE-neh po-LEE mak-ree-AH yah pehr-PAH-tee-mah. PAHR-teh tak-SEE.
It's too far to walk. Take a taxi. - Προχωρήστε ευθεία μέχρι το τέλος του δρόμου.
Pro-kho-REE-steh ef-THEE-ah MEH-khree to TEH-los too THRO-moo.
Go straight until the end of the road.