Translation guide
How to refer to the Greek language, people, culture, and things related to Greece in Japanese.
Referring to the Greek language (ancient or modern).
Standard word for the Greek language. Use this in most contexts.
ギリシャ語を勉強しています。
I'm studying Greek.
これはギリシャ語で何と言いますか。
How do you say this in Greek?
Ancient Greek, often used in academic contexts.
大学で古典ギリシャ語を学びました。
I studied Ancient Greek at university.
Referring to a person or people from Greece.
A Greek person. Can be singular or plural.
彼はギリシャ人です。
He is Greek.
ギリシャ人は親切です。
Greek people are kind.
Polite way to refer to a Greek person.
あのギリシャの方は先生です。
That Greek person is a teacher.
Describing something as being from Greece or related to Greece.
Use ギリシャの before a noun to mean 'Greek (something)'. This is the most common pattern.
ギリシャの料理が好きです。
I like Greek food.
ギリシャの神話を読んだ。
I read Greek mythology.
ギリシャの島に行きたい。
I want to go to a Greek island.
Greek-style. Often used for food, architecture, etc.
ギリシャ風サラダを注文した。
I ordered a Greek-style salad.
Referring to the country itself. Included because learners often confuse the word for the country with the adjective.
The country Greece. Note: 'Greek' as an adjective is ギリシャの, not just ギリシャ.
ギリシャに行ったことがありますか。
Have you ever been to Greece?
ギリシャ alone means the country Greece. To say 'Greek' as an adjective, you usually need ギリシャの before a noun. Saying ギリシャ料理 without の is possible in compound words, but ギリシャの料理 is safer and more common.