You're welcome in Greek
παρακαλώ
parakalo — you're welcome
Hear παρακαλώ
One word covers two jobs here. Παρακαλώ (parakalo) is the Greek for "please", and it is also what you say when someone thanks you. Context does all the work, so a shopkeeper who hands you your change and says παρακαλώ is not asking for anything — they are answering your ευχαριστώ.
The word stretches further still. Answering the phone, παρακαλώ means "hello?"; catching a waiter's eye, it means "excuse me"; not catching what someone said, a rising παρακαλώ; means "sorry, what?". Stress the final syllable throughout, pa-ra-ka-LO.
If you want something warmer than the standard reply, τίποτα (tipota) means "it was nothing" and is what friends say to each other. Να'σαι καλά, roughly "bless you", is warmer again and works well when someone has genuinely gone out of their way.
Example sentences
Ευχαριστώ πολύ. — Παρακαλώ.
Efcharisto poli. — Parakalo.
Thank you very much. — You are welcome.
Παρακαλώ, περάστε.
Parakalo, peraste.
Please, come in.
Related forms
- τίποτα (tipota) — it was nothing — informal
- να'σαι καλά (na'sai kala) — bless you — warm, informal
Common questions
- What is the reply to efharisto?
- Παρακαλώ (parakalo). It is the standard answer to ευχαριστώ and works in every register, from a bus driver to a friend. Τίποτα is the more casual alternative.
- Does parakalo mean please or you are welcome?
- Both, and context separates them. Before a request it means please; after a thank you it means you are welcome; on the phone it means hello.
Quick check
Pick the Greek word that matches.
How do you say "you're welcome" in Greek?
Related words
Keep reading
Greet someone, then keep the conversation going
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