This page lists 85 Greek words that start with E, from “Edo” to “Exypnos.” The list covers everyday vocabulary such as numbers, place words, pronouns, and common verbs. It also includes nouns for food, travel, and feelings, plus a few words with strong ties to Greek history. You can use it to build your vocabulary, prepare for a trip to Greece, or check a spelling and meaning quickly.
Greek words are the building blocks of one of the oldest written languages still spoken today. Many English words, such as “ego,” “icon,” and “epoch,” come straight from Greek, so you may already know more than you think.
Below you’ll find the table with the word, English translation, part of speech, example usage, and description for each entry.
Word: The Greek word written in Latin letters, so you can read it and say it aloud even if you don’t know the Greek alphabet.
English translation: The closest English meaning of the word, so you can see right away what it means and when to use it.
Part of speech: Shows whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, or another type, which helps you place it correctly in a sentence.
Example usage: A short Greek sentence with its English translation, so you can see how native speakers use the word in real conversation.
Description: A brief note on meaning, origin, or everyday use, often with a cultural detail or a link to English that helps you remember the word.
Greek words
| Word | English translation | Part of speech | Example usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edo | here | adverb | Ela edo! (Come here!) |
| Efcharisto | thank you | interjection | Efcharisto poli. (Thank you very much.) |
| Efcharistisi | pleasure, enjoyment | noun | Mou ékane megali efcharistisi. (It gave me great pleasure.) |
| Efchi | wish, blessing | noun | Sou stelno tis kalyteres efches. (I send you my best wishes.) |
| Efimerida | newspaper | noun | Diavazo tin efimerida to proi. (I read the newspaper in the morning.) |
| Efkolo | easy | adjective | Afto einai efkolo. (This is easy.) |
| Efta | seven | numeral | Efta meres. (Seven days.) |
| Eftychia | happiness | noun | I eftychia einai sta mikra pragmata. (Happiness is in the little things.) |
| Evangelio | gospel | noun | Diavase to Evangelio. (He read the Gospel.) |
| Evdomada | week | noun | Tin epomeni evdomada taxidevo. (I am traveling next week.) |
| Evgenikos | polite, kind | adjective | O servitoros itan poli evgenikos. (The waiter was very polite.) |
| Evrika | I have found it | verb phrase | O Arhimidis efonaxe “Evrika!” (Archimedes shouted “Eureka!”) |
| Echo | I have | verb | Echo ena adelfo. (I have a brother.) |
| Echthros | enemy | noun | O echthros mas fovatai. (Our enemy is afraid.) |
| Ego | I | pronoun | Ego eimai o Nikos. (I am Nikos.) |
| Eidisi | news item | noun | Akousa mia kali eidisi. (I heard a piece of good news.) |
| Eikona | image, picture | noun | Afti i eikona einai oraia. (This picture is beautiful.) |
| Eikosi | twenty | numeral | Eikosi evro. (Twenty euros.) |
| Einai | is, are | verb | To fagito einai nostimo. (The food is delicious.) |
| Eimai | I am | verb | Eimai kala. (I am fine.) |
| Eimaste | we are | verb | Eimaste etoimoi. (We are ready.) |
| Eisai | you are | verb | Eisai poli kalos. (You are very kind.) |
| Eiste | you are (plural or formal) | verb | Eiste megaloi filoi. (You are great friends.) |
| Eirini | peace | noun | Theloume eirini ston kosmo. (We want peace in the world.) |
| Eisitirio | ticket | noun | Agorasa dyo eisitiria. (I bought two tickets.) |
| Eisodos | entrance | noun | I eisodos einai dipla. (The entrance is next door.) |
| Ekato | hundred | numeral | Ekato chronia. (A hundred years.) |
| Ekdosi | edition, issue | noun | I nea ekdosi bike stin agora. (The new edition came onto the market.) |
| Ekdromi | excursion, trip | noun | Pame ekdromi sto vouno. (We are going on a trip to the mountain.) |
| Ekei | there | adverb | Ekei einai to mousio. (The museum is over there.) |
| Ekeinos | that man, he | pronoun | Ekeinos einai o daskalos mou. (That man is my teacher.) |
| Ekklisia | church | noun | I ekklisia einai sto kentro. (The church is in the center.) |
| Eklogi | election, choice | noun | Oi ekloges ginontai tin Kyriaki. (The elections take place on Sunday.) |
| Ekplixi | surprise, amazement | noun | Ti ekplixi! (What a surprise!) |
| Ela | come, come on | verb | Ela, pame! (Come on, let’s go!) |
| Elaiolado | olive oil | noun | Vazo elaiolado sti salata. (I put olive oil on the salad.) |
| Elefantas | elephant | noun | O elefantas einai megalo zoo. (The elephant is a big animal.) |
| Eleftheria | freedom | noun | Eleftheria i thanatos! (Freedom or death!) |
| Eleftheros | free | adjective | Eimai eleftheros avrio. (I am free tomorrow.) |
| Elia | olive | noun | Thelo elies sti salata. (I want olives in the salad.) |
| Ellada | Greece | noun | Zo stin Ellada. (I live in Greece.) |
| Ellinas | Greek man | noun | O Giorgos einai Ellinas. (Giorgos is Greek.) |
| Ellinida | Greek woman | noun | I Maria einai Ellinida. (Maria is Greek.) |
| Ellinika | Greek (language) | noun | Milas ellinika; (Do you speak Greek?) |
| Ellinikos | Greek | adjective | Pino ellinikó kafé. (I drink Greek coffee.) |
| Elleipsi | lack, shortage | noun | Yparchei elleipsi nerou. (There is a water shortage.) |
| Elpida | hope | noun | I elpida pethainei teleftaia. (Hope dies last.) |
| Emporio | trade, commerce | noun | To emporio anthizei ston limani. (Trade is thriving at the port.) |
| Emporos | merchant | noun | O emporos poulaei ladi. (The merchant sells oil.) |
| Emeis | we | pronoun | Emeis tha figoume. (We will leave.) |
| Endaxi | okay | adverb | Endaxi, tha ela. (Okay, I will come.) |
| Ena | one (neuter) | numeral | Ena potiri nero, parakalo. (One glass of water, please.) |
| Enas | one (masculine) | numeral | Enas kafes, parakalo. (One coffee, please.) |
| Ennia | nine | numeral | Einai ennia i ora. (It is nine o’clock.) |
| Ennoia | meaning, notion | noun | Den katalava tin ennoia. (I did not understand the meaning.) |
| Enteka | eleven | numeral | Enteka paidia. (Eleven children.) |
| Epanastasi | revolution | noun | I Epanastasi tou 1821 xekinise ton agona. (The Revolution of 1821 began the struggle.) |
| Epeidi | because | conjunction | Efyga, epeidi argisa. (I left because I was late.) |
| Epipedo | level, floor | noun | Vrisketai ston proto epipedo. (It is on the first level.) |
| Episis | also, likewise | adverb | Episis thelo kafe. (I also want a coffee.) |
| Epistimi | science | noun | I epistimi proodevei grigora. (Science is advancing quickly.) |
| Epistimonas | scientist | noun | O epistimonas ekane mia anakalypsi. (The scientist made a discovery.) |
| Epitelous | finally | adverb | Epitelous irthes! (You finally came!) |
| Epitychia | success | noun | Kalí epitychia sti dokimasia! (Good luck with the exam!) |
| Epochi | era, season | noun | I epochi tou kalokairiou archizei. (The summer season is beginning.) |
| Erotas | love, passion | noun | O erotas einai dynatos. (Love is powerful.) |
| Erotevmenos | in love | adjective | Eimai erotevmenos mazi sou. (I am in love with you.) |
| Erotisi | question | noun | Exo mia erotisi. (I have a question.) |
| Ergasia | work, job | noun | Echo poli ergasia simera. (I have a lot of work today.) |
| Ergatis | worker | noun | O ergatis ftanei stis okto. (The worker arrives at eight.) |
| Ergo | work, deed | noun | To ergo tou einai ekpliktiko. (His work is stunning.) |
| Esy | you (singular, informal) | pronoun | Esy pou pas; (Where are you going?) |
| Esis | you (plural or formal) | pronoun | Esis milate ellinika; (Do you speak Greek?) |
| Estiatorio | restaurant | noun | To estiatorio einai gemato. (The restaurant is full.) |
| Ethelontis | volunteer | noun | O ethelontis voithise ton kosmo. (The volunteer helped people.) |
| Ethimo | custom, tradition | noun | Afto einai paradosiako ethimo. (This is a traditional custom.) |
| Ethnos | nation, people | noun | O ethnos eortazei. (The nation celebrates.) |
| Etimos | ready | adjective | Eisai etimos; (Are you ready?) |
| Etos | year | noun | Kalo etos! (Happy new year!) |
| Evlogimenos | blessed | adjective | Evlogimenos o kathe mera. (Blessed is each day.) |
| Exairetika | excellent, exceptionally | adverb | To fagito itan exairetiko. (The food was excellent.) |
| Exi | six | numeral | Exi mines. (Six months.) |
| Exo | outside | adverb | Perimeno exo. (I am waiting outside.) |
| Exodos | exit | noun | I exodos einai aristera. (The exit is on the left.) |
| Exypnos | clever, smart | adjective | Eisai poli exypnos. (You are very smart.) |
Descriptions
Edo
A basic place word for pointing to where you are. Learners pick it up early because it appears in everyday directions and invitations.
Efcharisto
The standard Greek way to say thanks, heard everywhere from cafes to markets. Adding “poli” makes it “thank you very much.”
Efcharistisi
Describes the satisfaction of something enjoyable. It shares a root with “efcharisto,” since gratitude and pleasure are closely linked in Greek.
Efchi
Used for birthday, holiday, and name-day wishes. Greeks exchange efches often, so it is a useful word for social occasions.
Efimerida
Literally tied to the idea of something lasting a day. Newspaper stands called periptera are a common sight on Greek streets.
Efkolo
A handy adjective for tasks and questions. Its opposite is “dyskolo,” meaning difficult.
Efta
The number seven, often used for the days of the week. The more formal spelling is “epta.”
Eftychia
The Greek word for happiness and good fortune. It is also the root of the name Eftychia, a popular name given to girls.
Evangelio
Refers to the Christian Gospels, and the word entered English as “evangelical.” In modern Greek it also appears in church and holiday contexts.
Evdomada
The Greek word for a seven-day week. Its root is the ancient Greek number seven.
Evgenikos
Describes someone with good manners. Greek hospitality makes this a word you will hear as a compliment.
Evrika
Famously shouted by Archimedes when he discovered how to measure volume. It is now used in English as “eureka” for any sudden insight.
Echo
One of the first verbs Greek learners meet. It is used for possession and also in many expressions, such as “echo anagki” (I need).
Echthros
A word for a foe or adversary. It appears in history, literature, and proverbs, and is related to the idea of hatred.
Ego
The Greek first-person pronoun, which gave English the word “ego.” Greek usually drops the pronoun, so using it adds emphasis.
Eidisi
The singular form of the word for news, with “eidiseis” as the plural. Greek TV bulletins are called “eidiseis.”
Eikona
The source of the English word “icon.” In Greek it covers photos, paintings, and the religious icons found in Orthodox homes and churches.
Eikosi
The number twenty. It is useful for prices, ages, and dates.
Einai
The third-person form of “to be,” used for both singular and plural. It is one of the most common words in the language.
Eimai
The first-person form of “to be.” Learners use it for introductions and for saying how they feel.
Eimaste
The first-person plural of “to be.” It is used whenever a group talks about itself.
Eisai
The informal singular “you are.” Greeks use it with friends, family, and people of the same age.
Eiste
The polite or plural form of “you are.” It is used with strangers, elders, or groups.
Eirini
The Greek word for peace, and also a very common girl’s name. It is the root of “irenic” in English.
Eisitirio
The word for tickets of all kinds, such as for buses, ferries, and cinemas. It is essential for island hopping.
Eisodos
Appears on signs for buildings, parks, and sites. The opposite is “exodos.”
Ekato
The number one hundred. It is the root of “hecto-” in some measurement terms and is common in prices and ages.
Ekdosi
Used for books, magazines, and software versions. The related verb means to publish or issue.
Ekdromi
A short outing, often with a school or group. Schools in Greece organize ekdromes to historic sites.
Ekei
A place word that contrasts with “edo” (here). It is common in giving directions.
Ekeinos
Points to someone or something farther away. The feminine form is “ekeini” and the neuter is “ekeino.”
Ekklisia
Originally meant an assembly of citizens in ancient Athens. It now means a church building or the Christian community.
Eklogi
The Greek word that gave English “eclectic.” In the plural it means elections.
Ekplixi
Used for a pleasant or shocking surprise. Greeks use it for birthday surprises and unexpected news.
Ela
A very versatile Greek word. It can mean come here, hurry up, hello, or even express disbelief depending on tone.
Elaiolado
A cornerstone of Greek cooking and one of the country’s most famous products. The word combines “elaio” (olive) and “lado” (oil).
Elefantas
The Greek word that English borrowed for “elephant.” It originally referred to ivory as well as the animal.
Eleftheria
A powerful word in Greek history, tied to the War of Independence in 1821. It is also a common girl’s name.
Eleftheros
Describes someone free from constraint or simply available. The word is used both politically and in everyday scheduling.
Elia
The fruit of the olive tree, a staple of Greek meals. Kalamata olives are among the best-known types.
Ellada
The Greek name for the country. The English name “Greece” comes from the Latin “Graecia,” so Greeks never use it themselves.
Ellinas
Refers to a man of Greek nationality. Ellines is the plural.
Ellinida
The feminine form for a woman of Greek nationality.
Ellinika
The name of the Greek language. Note that a semicolon is the Greek question mark.
Ellinikos
Used for anything that belongs to Greece, such as food, music, or customs. It changes form to match the noun it describes.
Elleipsi
Describes something missing or insufficient. It is the root of “ellipsis” in English.
Elpida
A common word in proverbs and also a girl’s name. Greeks say hope is the last thing to leave a person.
Emporio
Refers to buying and selling on a larger scale. Greece has a long maritime trading tradition.
Emporos
A person who trades goods. The word comes from the ancient Greek for a traveler who did business overseas.
Emeis
The Greek first-person plural pronoun. It is usually left out unless you want emphasis.
Endaxi
A very common agreement word, similar to “all right.” Greeks say it constantly in conversation.
Ena
The neuter form of “one,” also used as the indefinite article “a.” Masculine is “enas” and feminine is “mia.”
Enas
The masculine form of “one,” also meaning “a” or “an.” Use it with masculine nouns such as kafes.
Ennia
The number nine in everyday speech. The formal version is “ennea.”
Ennoia
Used for the meaning behind something or a concept. The phrase “ti ennoia;” is a casual way to ask “what do you mean?”
Enteka
The number eleven. It is also the Greek word for a football team of eleven players.
Epanastasi
Refers to political upheaval, especially the Greek War of Independence. National holidays celebrate it every year.
Epeidi
A connecting word for giving a reason. It is common in explanations and casual speech.
Epipedo
Used for floors of buildings, skill levels, or standards. It is a handy word in apartments and shopping centers.
Episis
Adds extra information to a sentence. It can also mean “likewise” when returning a greeting.
Epistimi
Covers all fields of scientific study. The word comes from the ancient Greek for knowledge.
Epistimonas
Someone who works in scientific research. The word is formed from epistimi, meaning science.
Epitelous
Expresses relief after waiting. Greeks use it when something long awaited happens.
Epitychia
Means success or achievement. Wishing someone “kalí epitychia” is a common way to say good luck.
Epochi
Refers to a historical period or a time of year. English borrowed it as “epoch.”
Erotas
Romantic or passionate love. The Greek god Eros is its personification.
Erotevmenos
Describes a man in love, with “erotevmeni” for a woman. It is a common word in songs and romance.
Erotisi
A basic classroom and conversation word. The related verb “rotao” means to ask.
Ergasia
Covers both employment and tasks. It is a handy word when talking about daily life.
Ergatis
Someone who does manual or paid labor. Labor Day is celebrated in Greece on May 1.
Ergo
Often refers to an artistic or creative work. It is also the root of “energy” and “ergonomics.”
Esy
The informal pronoun for addressing one person you know well. The polite form is “esis.”
Esis
The pronoun for addressing several people or someone politely. It is used with elders and strangers.
Estiatorio
A place to eat a proper meal. Smaller, casual spots are often called tavernes instead.
Ethelontis
Someone who works without pay for a cause. Volunteers are active in Greek disaster relief and community groups.
Ethimo
Refers to a habit or practice passed down through a community. Greek holidays are full of local ethima.
Ethnos
The source of the English word “ethnic.” It refers to a people sharing a common identity.
Etimos
Describes someone prepared. The spelling “etoimos” is also common.
Etos
A formal word for year. Day to day, Greeks more often say “chronos.”
Evlogimenos
Used in religious and warm everyday contexts. It comes from the word for blessing.
Exairetika
Used to praise something very good. The adjective form is “exairetikos.”
Exi
The number six. It is the root of “hexagon” in English.
Exo
A place word for being outside. It is also used in the phrase “exo apo” (except for).
Exodos
Appears on signs in public places. The related English word “Exodus” comes from the Greek.
Exypnos
Describes someone intelligent. It is a common compliment among friends and family.