Adjectives

1. Μεγάλος

   me-GA-los

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Given in the masculine singular nominative: μεγάλη (fem.), μεγάλο (neut.).

2. Μικρός

   mi-KROS

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

3. Βαρύς

   va-RIS

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

4. Ελαφρύς

   e-la-FRIS

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

5. Ακριβός

   a-kri-VOS

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

6. Φθηνός

   fthi-NOS

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

7. Καυτός

   kaf-TOS

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "καυτός" is hot to the touch; hot weather is "Κάνει ζέστη" using the noun ζέστη.

8. Κρύος

   KRI-os

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

9. Καινούριος

   ke-NU-ri-os

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

10. Παλιός

    pa-li-OS

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Use "παλιός" for things and "ηλικιωμένος" for people; παλιός is never used of a person.

11. Νέος

    NE-os

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

12. Ηλικιωμένος

    i-li-ki-o-ME-nos

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

13. Καθαρός

    ka-tha-ROS

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

14. Βρόμικος

    VRO-mi-kos

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

15. Καλός

    ka-LOS

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

16. Κακός

    ka-KOS

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

17. Κοντινός

    kon-di-NOS

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

18. Μακρινός

    ma-kri-NOS

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

19. Νωρίς

    no-RIS

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    "νωρίς" is early in time (an adverb); fast in speed is the adjective "γρήγορος".

20. Αργά

    ar-GA

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    "αργά" is late in time; slow in speed is the adjective "αργός" — similar in form but a different word.

21. Πολλά

    po-LA

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

22. Λίγα

    LI-ga

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

23. Ζέστη

    ZE-sti

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the noun ζέστη: "Κάνει ζέστη" = it is hot.

24. Κρύο

    KRI-o

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the noun κρύο: "Κάνει κρύο". A cold drink takes the adjective "κρύος".

25. Χαριτωμένος

    cha-ri-to-ME-nos

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, objects, or animals

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular nominative form; feminine "χαριτωμένη", neuter "χαριτωμένο"

26. Κουλ

    kul

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for complimenting the look of a person or object

    Grammar Note

    A loanword from English; invariable in colloquial use

27. Νόστιμος

    NO-sti-mos

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give at the table

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular nominative form; feminine "νόστιμη", neuter "νόστιμο"

28. Καταπληκτικός

    ka-ta-pli-kti-KOS

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular nominative form; feminine "καταπληκτική", neuter "καταπληκτικό"

29. Διασκεδαστικός

    di-a-ske-da-sti-KOS

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to react to an experience itself

    Grammar Note

    Masculine singular nominative form; feminine "διασκεδαστική", neuter "διασκεδαστικό"

30. Περισσότερο

    pe-ri-SO-te-ro

    More

    Usage

    Ask for a larger amount; "one more of them" is "κι άλλο"

31. Μόνο λίγο

    MO-no LI-go

    Just a little

    Usage

    Ask for a small amount — when food is being served or a glass refilled

32. Μισό

    mi-SO

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half the amount

33. Όλα

    O-la

    All

    Usage

    Means the whole lot; also works when settling one bill for everything

34. Φτάνει

    FTA-ni

    That's enough

    Usage

    Say this to stop someone mid-pour or mid-serving

35. Αμέσως

    a-ME-sos

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency; it also appears on the shop sign "ΕΠΙΣΤΡΕΦΩ ΑΜΕΣΩΣ" (back immediately)

36. Ένα άτομο

    E-na A-to-mo

    One person

    Usage

    Give the head count at a restaurant or on a tour

37. Δύο άτομα

    DI-o A-to-ma

    Two people

    Usage

    Give the head count at a restaurant or on a tour

38. Τρία άτομα

    TRI-a A-to-ma

    Three people

    Usage

    Give the head count at a restaurant or on a tour

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