Greek is a beautiful and complex language with a rich history, but like any language, it has its own set of slang terms and expressions that can leave even the most seasoned linguists scratching their heads.
But fear not!
This guide is your ticket to navigating the wonderful world of Greek slang. These are the words and expressions that will help you not only understand what the locals are saying but also make them chuckle as you slip them into conversation like a true insider. So, grab your souvlaki, loosen up, and let’s dive into some Greek slang that’s guaranteed to make you sound less like a tourist and more like a pro!
1. Έφαγα πακέτο (Εfaga paketo)
Meaning: To have a tough time, to deal with a difficult situation.
“Πακέτο” means “package” literally, but in slang, “έφαγα πακέτο” means “I had a tough time” or “I went through something difficult.”
Example:
- Έφαγα πακέτο στη δουλειά σήμερα. (Éfaga pakéto sti douliá símera.) – I had a tough day at work today.
2. Κλαίω (Kleo)
Meaning: To be overwhelmed in a humorous or sarcastical way.
While “κλαίω” literally means “to cry,” in slang, it can also be used to describe being overwhelmed, usually in a humorous or exaggerated way, similar to saying “I’m dying” in English.
Example:
- Κλαίω από τα γέλια! (Kléo apó ta yélia!) – I’m crying with laughter!
3. Φλεξάρω (Flexaro)
Meaning: To show off, to flex
“Φλεξάρω” comes from the English word “flex” and is used similarly. It means to show off, usually in a boastful or flashy way.
Example:
- Φλεξάρει με το καινούριο του αυτοκίνητο. (Flexáree me to kainoúrio tu aftokínito.) – He’s showing off with his new car.
4. Κριντζάρω (Krinjaro)
Meaning: To cringe
“Κριντζάρω” is derived from the English word “cringe” and is used in the same way. It describes the feeling of embarrassment or discomfort, especially in awkward situations.
Example:
- Αυτό το αστείο με έκανε να κριντζάρω. (Aftó to asteío me ékane na krinjáro.) – That joke made me cringe.
5. Ρε (Re)
Meaning: Hey, dude, man
“Ρε” is a versatile and common slang term used to address someone in a casual manner. It can be affectionate or slightly confrontational depending on the tone and context.
Example:
- Ρε, τι κάνεις; (Re, ti kánees?) – Hey, what are you doing?
6. Μάγκας (Mangas)
Meaning: Dude, tough guy, smart aleck
“Μάγκας” originally referred to a member of the Greek underworld but has evolved to mean a cool or clever person, often used affectionately among friends.
Example:
- Αυτός είναι μάγκας! (Aftós eíne mángas!) – He’s a cool guy!
7. Ψιλο- (Psilo-)
Meaning: Slightly, kind of
Adding “ψιλο-” before a verb or adjective means “slightly” or “kind of.” It’s a way to downplay something.
Example:
- Ψιλοκρυώνω. (Psilokrióno.) – I’m kind of cold.
8. Φάση (Fasi)
Meaning: Scene, vibe, situation
“Φάση” can refer to the general vibe or situation of something. It’s used a lot among younger people to describe social scenes or experiences.
Example:
- Ήταν περίεργη η φάση όταν συνάντησα τον πρώην μου. (Ítan períergi ee fásee ótan seenántisa ton próin mu.) – It was an awkward situation when I ran into my ex.
9. Τζάμι (Tzami)
Meaning: Awesome, great
“Τζάμι” literally means “glass,” but in slang, it’s used to express that something is awesome or great.
Example:
- Πώς ήταν το πάρτι; (Pós ítan to párti?) – How was the party?
- Τζάμι! (Tzámi!) – Awesome!
10. Φιλαράκι (Filaraki)
Meaning: Buddy, pal
“Φιλαράκι” is a term of endearment meaning “buddy” or “pal.” It’s often used among friends.
Example:
- Τι κάνεις, φιλαράκι; (Ti kánees, filaráki?) – How are you, buddy?
11. Χαλαρά (Chalara)
Meaning: Relaxed, chill
“Χαλαρά” means “relaxed” or “chill” and is used to describe a laid-back attitude or approach.
Example:
- Πώς πέρασες το Σαββατοκύριακο; (Pós pérases to Savvatokýriako?)- How was your weekend?
- Χαλαρά. (Chalará. – Chill.)
12. Τρελός (Trelos)
Meaning: Awesome
“Τρελός” means “crazy,” but in slang, it can also mean “awesome” or “amazing.”
Example:
- Αυτή η συναυλία ήταν τρελή! (Aftí i seenavlia ítan trelí!) – That concert was amazing!
13. Κουλ (Cool)
Meaning: Cool, calm
“Κουλ” is derived from the English word “cool” and is used similarly to describe something or someone as cool or calm.
Example:
- Είσαι πολύ κουλ. (Eése polée cool.) – You are very cool.
14. Σπάω πλάκα (Spao plaka)
Meaning: To have a laugh, to joke around
“Σπάω πλάκα” means “to have a laugh” or “to have fun” in a light-hearted, joking manner. It’s often used when someone is enjoying themselves, especially when they’re laughing or joking around with friends.
Example:
- Χθες σπάσαμε πλάκα με τους φίλους μου. (Chthes spásame pláka me tus fílus mu.) – Yesterday we had a great time joking around with my friends.
15. Χύμα (Cheema)
Meaning: Loose, relaxed, disorganized, scattered
“Χύμα” describes a very relaxed unstructured, disorganized, or scattered attitude. It can refer to a person who is a bit all over the place, lacking in discipline or order. This term can be used in a neutral or slightly critical way, depending on the context.
So, while “χύμα” can sometimes be associated with a laid-back attitude, it more accurately conveys a sense of disorder or lack of structure.
Example:
- Ο Γιάννης είναι πολύ χύμα τύπος. (O Yiánnis eéne polée chéema téepos.) – John is a very laid-back guy.
16. Κάτσε καλά (Katse kala)
Meaning: Calm down, behave yourself
“Κάτσε καλά” literally means “sit well,” but it’s used to tell someone to calm down or behave.
Example:
- Κάτσε καλά, δεν είναι τόσο σοβαρό. (Kátse kalá, then eéne tóso sovaró.) – Calm down, it’s not that serious.
17. Την έκανα (Teen ekana)
Meaning: I left, I’m out of here
“Την έκανα” means “I did it,” but in slang, it means “I left” or “I’m out of here.”
Example:
- Αργεί η ταινία, την έκανα. (Aryée i tainía, teen ékana.) – The movie is late, I’m out of here.
18. Γκαντεμιά (Gkantemia)
Meaning: Bad luck, jinx
“Γκαντεμιά” is used to describe bad luck or being jinxed.
Example:
- Τι γκαντεμιά να χάσω το λεωφορείο! (Ti gkantemiá na chásso to leoforeéo!) – What bad luck to miss the bus!
19. Τα πήρα (Ta peera)
Meaning: I got angry
“Τα πήρα”literally means “I took them,” but in slang, it means “I got angry” or “I got upset.”
Example:
- Τα πήρα με το αφεντικό μου σήμερα. (Ta péera me to afentikó mu séemera.) – I got angry with my boss today.
20. Δεν παίζει (Den pezee)
Meaning: No way, it’s not happening
“Δεν παίζει” means “it doesn’t play,” but it’s used to express disbelief or that something is not going to happen.
Example:
- Θα έρθεις απόψε; (Tha érthees apópse?) – Are you coming tonight?
- Δεν παίζει, είμαι κουρασμένος. (Then pézee, éeme kurasménos.) – No way, I’m tired.
22. Παίζω (Pezo)
Meaning: To flirt, to be involved
While “παίζω” literally means “to play,” in slang, it can mean to flirt or be romantically involved.
Example:
- Αυτός ο τύπος παίζει με όλες. (Aftós o téepos pézee me óles.) – That guy flirts with everyone.
21. Λέμε τώρα (Leme tora)
Meaning: Just saying, for the sake of argument
“Λέμε τώρα” translates to “we’re saying now,” but it’s used to mean “just saying” or “for the sake of argument.”
Example:
- Αν είχαμε λεφτά, θα πηγαίναμε διακοπές, λέμε τώρα. (An éechame leftá, tha piyéname diakopés, léme tóra.) – If we had money, we’d go on vacation, just saying.
23. Την παλεύω (Teen palevo)
Meaning: I’m managing, I’m dealing with it
“Την παλεύω” means “I’m managing” or “I’m dealing with it,” often used to express coping with a difficult situation.
Example:
- Πώς τα πας με τη δουλειά; (Pós ta pas me ti douliá?) – How’s work going?
- Την παλεύω. (Teen palévo.) – I’m managing.
24. Σαβούρα (Savura)
Meaning: Junk, rubbish; also, to fall down
“Σαβούρα” means “junk” or “rubbish,” and it’s used to describe things of little value or low quality. Additionally, “σαβούρα” is also slang for falling down, often used humorously to describe an awkward or clumsy fall. In this context, you might also hear the phrase “έφαγα σαβούρα” or “σαβουριάστηκα,” both meaning “I fell down.”
Example 1:
- Καθάρισε το δωμάτιό σου από τις σαβούρες που έχεις μαζέψει.
(Kathárise to domátió su apó tis savúres pu échees mazépsei.) – Clean your room from all the junk you’ve accumulated.
Example 2:
- Περπατούσα στον δρόμο κι έφαγα σαβούρα or Περπατούσα στον δρόμο και σαβουριάστηκα.
(Perpatúsa ston drómo ki éfaga savúra (or savuriástika). – I was walking down the street and fell down.
25. Μούρη (Muri)
Meaning: Face, someone cool
“Μούρη” means “face,” but in slang, it can also mean someone who is cool or impressive.
Example:
- Είσαι μεγάλη μούρη! (Eése megáli múri!) – You’re really cool!
Conclusion
Mastering these Greek slang terms won’t just help you understand conversations better—it might even earn you some serious local street cred. Slang is like the secret sauce of any language, full of flavor and fun. So, next time you’re chatting with Greek friends, slip in a few of these expressions and watch their reactions!
Καλή τύχη!
And may your slang game be strong!
Would help to hear spoken word.