This page lists 97 Greek words that start with K, from “Kalimera” to “Kyvernitis.” The list covers greetings, everyday nouns, common verbs, adjectives, and food terms, all written in Latin letters. You can use it to build basic vocabulary, prepare for a trip to Greece, or practice saying Greek words out loud.
Greek words are the building blocks of one of the oldest written languages in the world, spoken for more than 3,000 years. Many English words come straight from Greek, and you will spot a few here, such as “kardia,” which gave us “cardiac.”
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 without knowing the Greek alphabet.
English translation: The closest English meaning of each word, so you can quickly see what it stands for and learn it.
Part of speech: Shows whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, or phrase, which helps you know how to use it in a sentence.
Example usage: A short Greek sentence with its English translation, so you can see how people use the word in real conversation.
Description: A brief note on the word’s meaning, origin, or cultural background, which helps you remember it and use it with confidence.
Greek words
| Word | English translation | Part of speech | Example usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalimera | Good morning | Interjection | Kalimera, ti kaneis? (Good morning, how are you?) |
| Kalispera | Good evening | Interjection | Kalispera sas! (Good evening to you!) |
| Kalinychta | Good night | Interjection | Kalinychta, kai oneira glyka. (Good night, and sweet dreams.) |
| Kalos irthes | Welcome | Phrase | Kalos irthes sto spiti mas! (Welcome to our home!) |
| Kali orexi | Enjoy your meal | Phrase | Kali orexi, paidia! (Enjoy your meal, kids!) |
| Kalo taxidi | Have a good trip | Phrase | Kalo taxidi kai prosechte! (Have a good trip and be careful!) |
| Kalo mina | Happy new month | Phrase | Kalo mina! (Happy new month!) |
| Kali chronia | Happy new year | Phrase | Kali chronia kai xana! (Happy new year, and many more!) |
| Kalo Pascha | Happy Easter | Phrase | Kalo Pascha kai Kali Anastasi! (Happy Easter and a good Resurrection!) |
| Kala Christougenna | Merry Christmas | Phrase | Kala Christougenna! (Merry Christmas!) |
| Kali tychi | Good luck | Phrase | Kali tychi stis exetaseis! (Good luck on your exams!) |
| Kali synecheia | Good continuation | Phrase | Kali synecheia se olous! (Good continuation to everyone!) |
| Kalo Savvatokyriako | Have a good weekend | Phrase | Kalo Savvatokyriako! (Have a good weekend!) |
| Kalos vrikame | Nice to find you here | Phrase | Kalos vrikame! (Nice to see you here!) |
| Kalos | Good | Adjective | Aftos einai kalos anthropos. (He is a good man.) |
| Kali | Good (feminine) | Adjective | Einai mia kali idea. (It is a good idea.) |
| Kala | Well, fine | Adverb | Eimai kala, efcharisto. (I’m well, thank you.) |
| Kalytera | Better | Adverb | Kalytera na fygoume. (It would be better for us to leave.) |
| Kakos | Bad | Adjective | Echei kako kairo. (The weather is bad.) |
| Kaki | Bad (feminine) | Adjective | Echo mia kaki mera. (I’m having a bad day.) |
| Kako | Harm, evil | Noun | Den ekana tipota kako. (I did nothing wrong.) |
| Kakia | Malice | Noun | I kakia tou den echei oria. (His malice has no limits.) |
| Kalokairi | Summer | Noun | To kalokairi stin Ellada einai zesto. (Summer in Greece is hot.) |
| Kalamari | Squid | Noun | Thelo kalamari tiganito. (I’d like fried squid.) |
| Kalamaki | Skewer | Noun | Dyo kalamakia me pita. (Two skewers with pita.) |
| Kalamata | Kalamata (city and olive variety) | Noun | Agorasa elies Kalamatas. (I bought Kalamata olives.) |
| Kalikantzaros | Goblin | Noun | Oi kalikantzaroi vgainoun ta Christougenna. (The goblins come out at Christmas.) |
| Kafes | Coffee | Noun | Thelo enan kafe, parakalo. (I would like a coffee, please.) |
| Kafenio | Cafe, coffeehouse | Noun | Pame sto kafenio. (Let’s go to the cafe.) |
| Kafedaki | Little coffee | Noun | Ela na pioume ena kafedaki. (Come, let’s have a little coffee.) |
| Kafetzis | Coffeehouse owner | Noun | O kafetzis ftiachnei ellinikos. (The cafe owner makes Greek coffee.) |
| Kafe | Brown | Adjective | Foresa kafe papoutsia. (I wore brown shoes.) |
| Kapnos | Smoke, tobacco | Noun | Echei poli kapno edo. (There’s a lot of smoke here.) |
| Kapnizo | I smoke | Verb | Den kapnizo pia. (I don’t smoke anymore.) |
| Kardia | Heart | Noun | Echo kalo kardia. (I have a good heart.) |
| Kardiologos | Cardiologist | Noun | Echo rantevou me ton kardiologo. (I have an appointment with the cardiologist.) |
| Karpouzi | Watermelon | Noun | To karpouzi einai freskotato. (The watermelon is very fresh.) |
| Karydi | Walnut | Noun | Thelo ena karydi. (I want a walnut.) |
| Karydopita | Walnut cake | Noun | I karydopita einai poli glykia. (The walnut cake is very sweet.) |
| Kastano | Chestnut | Noun | Ta kastana einai kala to chimona. (Chestnuts are good in winter.) |
| Kastro | Castle, fortress | Noun | Episkeftikame to kastro. (We visited the castle.) |
| Katsarola | Saucepan | Noun | Vale to fagito sti katsarola. (Put the food in the pot.) |
| Katsika | Goat | Noun | I katsika vosketai sto vouno. (The goat grazes on the mountain.) |
| Katsikaki | Kid goat | Noun | To katsikaki psinetai sto fourno. (The kid goat is roasted in the oven.) |
| Kati | Something | Pronoun | Thelo na sou po kati. (I want to tell you something.) |
| Kathe | Every, each | Determiner | Kathe mera pao sti douleia. (Every day I go to work.) |
| Kathenas | Everyone, each one | Pronoun | Kathenas echei ti dikia tou istoria. (Everyone has their own story.) |
| Katharos | Clean, pure | Adjective | To domatio einai katharo. (The room is clean.) |
| Kathreftis | Mirror | Noun | Kitaxe ston kathrefti. (Look in the mirror.) |
| Kathigitis | Professor, teacher | Noun | O kathigitis mas einai poli kalos. (Our professor is very good.) |
| Kathomai | I sit | Verb | Kathomai sto trapezi. (I’m sitting at the table.) |
| Kairos | Weather, time, opportunity | Noun | Ti kairo kanei simera? (What’s the weather like today?) |
| Kamia | None, not any | Pronoun | Den echo kamia idea. (I have no idea.) |
| Kanenas | Nobody, anyone | Pronoun | Den ton eide kanenas. (Nobody saw him.) |
| Kano | I do, I make | Verb | Ti kano edo? (What am I doing here?) |
| Kaneis | You do, you make | Verb | Ti kaneis? (How are you?) |
| Kanonas | Rule | Noun | Aftos einai o kanonas. (This is the rule.) |
| Kapetanios | Captain | Noun | O kapetanios kybernai to ploio. (The captain steers the ship.) |
| Kapote | Sometime | Adverb | Kapote tha ertho. (I will come sometime.) |
| Kapou | Somewhere | Adverb | Kapou edo konta. (Somewhere near here.) |
| Kappa | Kappa (letter) | Noun | To kappa einai to dekato gramma. (Kappa is the tenth letter.) |
| Karavi | Ship, boat | Noun | To karavi ferei epivates. (The ship carries passengers.) |
| Karekla | Chair | Noun | Kathise stin karekla. (Sit on the chair.) |
| Karta | Card | Noun | Echo mia karta gia to leoforeio. (I have a card for the bus.) |
| Kinito | Mobile phone | Noun | Pou einai to kinito mou? (Where is my mobile phone?) |
| Kinisi | Movement, traffic | Noun | Echei poli kinisi stin Athina. (There is a lot of traffic in Athens.) |
| Kinima | Movement | Noun | To kinima ekane ti diafora. (The movement made a difference.) |
| Kitrino | Yellow | Adjective | To kitrino lemoni. (The yellow lemon.) |
| Kokkino | Red | Adjective | Tha foraso to kokkino foustani. (I will wear the red dress.) |
| Koritsi | Girl | Noun | To koritsi paizei sto parko. (The girl is playing in the park.) |
| Kosmos | World, people | Noun | O kosmos einai megalos. (The world is big.) |
| Kokoras | Rooster | Noun | O kokoras gialiazei to proi. (The rooster crows in the morning.) |
| Kota | Hen, chicken | Noun | I kota einai psimeni sto fourno. (The chicken is roasted in the oven.) |
| Kotopoulo | Chicken (meat) | Noun | Thelo kotopoulo me patates. (I want chicken with potatoes.) |
| Kourabiedes | Almond shortbread cookies | Noun | Ta kourabiedes einai gia ta Christougenna. (Kourabiedes are for Christmas.) |
| Koulouri | Sesame bread ring | Noun | Agorasa ena koulouri gia proino. (I bought a koulouri for breakfast.) |
| Koukla | Doll | Noun | I koukla einai omorfi. (The doll is beautiful.) |
| Kouzina | Kitchen | Noun | Eimai stin kouzina. (I’m in the kitchen.) |
| Koumbaros | Best man, godfather | Noun | O koumbaros ekane to dora. (The koumbaros gave the gifts.) |
| Kouventa | Chat | Noun | Ela na kanoume kouventa. (Come, let’s have a chat.) |
| Koukouvagia | Owl | Noun | I koukouvagia kouventiazei ti nychta. (The owl calls at night.) |
| Kolokithi | Zucchini | Noun | Ta kolokithia einai freska. (The zucchinis are fresh.) |
| Kolokithokeftedes | Zucchini fritters | Noun | Ta kolokithokeftedes einai nostima. (The zucchini fritters are delicious.) |
| Kolymbi | Swimming pool | Noun | Pame sto kolymbi. (Let’s go to the pool.) |
| Koimamai | I sleep | Verb | Koimamai poli. (I sleep a lot.) |
| Kourasmenos | Tired | Adjective | Eimai poli kourasmenos. (I’m very tired.) |
| Kryo | Cold | Adjective | Kanei kryo. (It’s cold.) |
| Ktirio | Building | Noun | To ktirio einai poli psilo. (The building is very tall.) |
| Ktizo | I build | Verb | Ktizoume ena neo spiti. (We’re building a new house.) |
| Kyklos | Circle | Noun | Zografise enan kyklo. (Draw a circle.) |
| Kyrios | Mr., lord | Noun | Kyrie Papadopoule, kalos irthate. (Mr. Papadopoulos, welcome.) |
| Kyria | Mrs., lady | Noun | Kyria Maria, ti kaneite? (Mrs. Maria, how are you?) |
| Kyriaki | Sunday | Noun | Tin Kyriaki xekourazomaste. (On Sunday we rest.) |
| Kyma | Wave | Noun | Ena kyma xtypa ton vrachos. (A wave hits the rock.) |
| Kypros | Cyprus | Noun | Tha pame stin Kypro. (We will go to Cyprus.) |
| Kyvernisi | Government | Noun | I kyvernisi anakoinose nea metra. (The government announced new measures.) |
| Kyvernitis | Helmsman, governor | Noun | O kyvernitis einai stin gefyra. (The helmsman is on the bridge.) |
Descriptions
Kalimera
The standard Greek morning greeting, used until around noon. Literally “good day,” it works in both casual and formal settings.
Kalispera
The greeting used from late afternoon onward. Greeks say it when arriving somewhere or meeting someone in the evening.
Kalinychta
Said when parting for the night or going to bed. It is one of the first everyday phrases learners pick up.
Kalos irthes
A warm welcome to someone arriving. The ending changes with the listener: “kalos irthes” for a man, “kali irthes” for a woman, “kalos irthate” for several people or formally.
Kali orexi
Said before a meal begins. Literally “good appetite,” it is a standard courtesy at Greek tables.
Kalo taxidi
A farewell wished to someone travelling. It is common at airports, ports, and bus stations.
Kalo mina
A greeting exchanged on the first day of each month. Many Greeks say it for luck at the start of the month.
Kali chronia
A greeting used around New Year to wish a good year ahead.
Kalo Pascha
The usual Easter greeting in Greece, where Orthodox Easter is the biggest holiday of the year.
Kala Christougenna
The usual Christmas greeting in Greece, often paired with a wish for a good new year.
Kali tychi
A wish for success before an exam, interview, or journey. The literal meaning is “good fortune.”
Kali synecheia
Said to wish someone well as they carry on with their day or work, or after an event ends.
Kalo Savvatokyriako
A common Friday wish. The word joins “Savvato” (Saturday) and “Kyriaki” (Sunday).
Kalos vrikame
The reply to “kalos irthes.” It literally means “we found you well.”
Kalos
One of the most useful Greek adjectives. It also appears in compounds such as “kalos kagathos,” a person both good and noble.
Kali
The feminine form of “kalos.” Greek adjectives change their endings to match the gender of the noun they describe.
Kala
The everyday answer to “how are you?” It also works as a plural noun meaning “good things.”
Kalytera
The comparative form of “kala.” Greeks use it often to suggest the wiser course of action.
Kakos
The basic Greek word for bad. It gives English words such as “cacophony” and “kakistocracy.”
Kaki
The feminine form of “kakos.” It is common in daily complaints and expressions.
Kako
Used as a noun, it means harm or wrongdoing. It appears in phrases such as “ti kako echei?” meaning “what’s the harm?”
Kakia
Describes deliberate meanness or ill will. It shares a root with English words that begin with “caco-.”
Kalokairi
Literally “good weather” or “good season.” Summer is the high point of the Greek tourist year.
Kalamari
A staple of Greek seafood tavernas, typically served fried with lemon. English borrowed the word from Italian, which took it from Greek and Latin roots.
Kalamaki
Literally “little reed,” it now means a grilled meat skewer. The name comes from the reed sticks once used to hold the meat.
Kalamata
A city in the Peloponnese, famous worldwide for its dark, almond-shaped olives and olive oil.
Kalikantzaros
A creature from Greek folklore said to emerge during the twelve days of Christmas to cause trouble. Families traditionally keep a fire burning to scare them off.
Kafes
Coffee is central to Greek social life. The word is “kafes” in the nominative and “kafe” when ordering.
Kafenio
A traditional Greek coffeehouse, historically a male gathering place for coffee, backgammon, and conversation. Today the word also covers modern cafes.
Kafedaki
A friendly diminutive of “kafes,” often used as an invitation to chat. Greeks add “-aki” to many words to make them warmer.
Kafetzis
The man who runs a traditional kafenio. The word comes from Turkish and reflects centuries of shared coffee culture.
Kafe
The word for brown in Greek is the same as the word for coffee. It does not change its ending for gender.
Kapnos
Refers to both smoke and tobacco. The related verb “kapnizo” means “to smoke.”
Kapnizo
The standard verb for smoking cigarettes, in the first-person singular present.
Kardia
The Greek word that gave English “cardiac” and “cardiology.” It is also used figuratively for emotion and courage.
Kardiologos
A heart doctor. Both the Greek and English words come from “kardia.”
Karpouzi
A classic summer treat in Greece, often served with feta cheese as a snack or dessert.
Karydi
A common nut in Greek baking, used in desserts such as karydopita.
Karydopita
A moist cake made with walnuts, cinnamon, and cloves, soaked in syrup. It is a traditional Greek dessert.
Kastano
A seasonal nut often roasted on street corners in Greek cities during the cold months.
Kastro
Greece has many Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman castles. The word comes from the Latin “castrum.”
Katsarola
The everyday word for a cooking pot, used in Greek kitchens for stews and sauces.
Katsika
Goats are common in rural Greece, and goat meat is a traditional dish at Easter and festivals.
Katsikaki
A traditional dish served at Easter and other festive meals, often roasted with potatoes.
Kati
A handy word in conversation, also used in expressions such as “kati allo” for “something else.”
Kathe
Used before a singular noun to express “every” or “each.” It never changes form.
Kathenas
Refers to each person individually. It has feminine and neuter forms, “kathemia” and “katheno.”
Katharos
The Greek root behind “catharsis.” It describes anything free from dirt or impurity.
Kathreftis
The common word for a mirror, used for any reflecting surface, including a car mirror.
Kathigitis
Used for university professors and also for secondary school teachers. The feminine form is “kathigitria.”
Kathomai
A deponent verb with no active form. It is among the first verbs learners meet.
Kairos
One word covering weather, a moment in time, and a fitting opportunity. Ancient Greeks used it for “the right moment.”
Kamia
Used in negative sentences to mean “no” or “not any.” The masculine form is “kanenas.”
Kanenas
Used in negative sentences to mean “nobody,” or “anyone” in questions. Greek uses double negatives naturally.
Kano
One of the most frequent Greek verbs. “Ti kaneis?” meaning “how are you?” comes from it.
Kaneis
The second-person singular of “kano.” The question “Ti kaneis?” is the standard way to ask how someone is.
Kanonas
The source of English “canon.” It means a rule or standard of behavior.
Kapetanios
The common word for a ship captain, also used for team captains and military leaders.
Kapote
Used for an unspecified time, in the past or future. The context decides which.
Kapou
Used for an unspecified place. It pairs with “pou,” meaning “where.”
Kappa
The tenth letter of the Greek alphabet, written Κ or κ. It is the origin of the English letter K.
Karavi
A common word for a sailing vessel, closely tied to the Greek relationship with the sea.
Karekla
The standard word for a chair, used in homes, cafes, and offices.
Karta
Used for greeting cards, playing cards, and payment cards. It is a modern loan from Italian.
Kinito
The standard Greek word for a cell phone. It literally means “mobile.”
Kinisi
Used for movement of all kinds, including road traffic and activity in a place.
Kinima
Often used for political and social movements. The English word “cinema” comes from the related Greek “kinema.”
Kitrino
The color yellow, derived from “kitro,” meaning citron. It changes ending with the gender of the noun.
Kokkino
The Greek word for red, also used for red wine, “kokkino krasi.” It comes from “kokkos,” meaning berry or seed.
Koritsi
The common word for a young girl. The related “kori” means daughter.
Kosmos
Also means “crowd” in everyday use, as in “poli kosmos,” meaning many people. The source of English “cosmos” and “cosmetic.”
Kokoras
A familiar farm animal in rural Greece. It also appears in cooking, as in “kokoras krasatos,” rooster cooked in wine.
Kota
The standard word for a hen or chicken. On menus, “kotopoulo” is the usual word for chicken meat.
Kotopoulo
The most common word for chicken meat on Greek menus, often served roasted or grilled.
Kourabiedes
Buttery shortbread cookies covered in powdered sugar, traditionally baked for Christmas and special occasions.
Koulouri
A popular street snack across Greece, a ring-shaped bread covered in sesame seeds. Vendors sell them from carts in the morning.
Koukla
The common word for a child’s toy doll, also used as a term of affection for a pretty woman.
Kouzina
The word for the room where food is cooked, and also for a style of cuisine.
Koumbaros
A person who sponsors a wedding or baptism. The role is a lifelong honor and creates a bond between families.
Kouventa
A common word for a casual conversation. It carries a friendly tone and is often used for long, relaxed talks.
Koukouvagia
The Greek word for owl, used in folk songs and sayings. The name imitates the bird’s call.
Kolokithi
A vegetable used in many Greek dishes, including kolokithokeftedes, or zucchini fritters.
Kolokithokeftedes
Fried patties of grated zucchini, feta, and herbs. They are a popular appetizer on Greek menus.
Kolymbi
The word for a pool, from the verb “kolymbao,” meaning to swim or dive.
Koimamai
A deponent verb meaning to sleep. “Koimisou” is the command form, used to tell someone to sleep.
Kourasmenos
The usual word to say someone is tired. The feminine form is “kourasmeni.”
Kryo
Describes low temperature in weather, drinks, and objects. As a noun, it means cold or chill.
Ktirio
The standard word for a building. It comes from the verb “ktizo,” meaning to build.
Ktizo
The verb for building, related to the ancient Greek “ktisis,” meaning founding.
Kyklos
The source of the English word “cycle.” It also refers to a group or circle of people.
Kyrios
The respectful title for a man, equivalent to “Mr.” or “sir.” In religious contexts, it means “Lord.”
Kyria
The respectful title for a woman, equivalent to “Mrs.” or “madam.” It is formal but widely used.
Kyriaki
Literally “the Lord’s day.” It is the first day of the Greek week.
Kyma
A wave in the sea or in physics. The word also appears in Greek expressions about change and movement.
Kypros
The Greek name for the island of Cyprus, an independent country with a majority Greek-speaking population.
Kyvernisi
Comes from the same root as “kyvernitis,” meaning helmsman, and gave English “govern.”
Kyvernitis
The source of the English word “governor.” Originally it meant the steersman of a ship.