Thank you in Greek

ευχαριστώ

efcharisto — thank you

verb

Hear ευχαριστώ

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Thank you in Greek is ευχαριστώ (efcharisto), stressed on the final syllable: ef-cha-ri-STO. The χ in the middle is the sound in Scottish "loch", not the ch of "church". Grammatically it is a verb — it literally means "I thank" — which is why you will also hear ευχαριστούμε ("we thank") from couples and groups.

To turn the thanks up, add πολύ: ευχαριστώ πολύ, "thank you very much". Greeks themselves often drop to something warmer among friends — να ’σαι καλά, literally "may you be well", is a common affectionate reply to a favour. The standard response to being thanked is παρακαλώ, which covers "you’re welcome".

Do not worry about over-thanking. In shops and tavernas a short ευχαριστώ as you take your change or your plate is exactly what a Greek would do, and any attempt at it from a visitor is met warmly, even when the pronunciation wobbles.

Example sentences

  • Ευχαριστώ πολύ!

    Efcharisto poli!

    Thank you very much!

  • Ευχαριστούμε για το φαγητό.

    Efcharistoume gia to fagito.

    Thank you for the food (from all of us).

Related forms

  • ευχαριστώ πολύ (efcharisto poli) — thank you very much
  • να ’σαι καλά (na ’sai kala) — warm, informal — "bless you / may you be well"

Common questions

How do you pronounce ευχαριστώ?
Ef-cha-ri-STO, with the stress at the end. The "ch" is the rasping sound in Scottish "loch". Listen to the audio above at slow speed and copy the rhythm before the sounds.

Quick check

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How do you say "thank you" in Greek?

Related words

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