Lexora

Did you know that many Greek speakers make English mistakes without even realising it?
These mistakes come directly from how Greek structures ideas… and they often sound “almost correct” — but not quite.

Here are 5 super common mistakes you might be making too:

1️⃣ “I have a delay”
(Greek influence: «έχω καθυστέρηση»)
✔ Correct: I’m running late / I will be late

2️⃣ “Pass me the salt, please.”
In Greek it sounds polite… in English it sounds a bit direct.
✔ Correct: Could you pass me the salt?
(or Can you pass me the salt?)

3️⃣ “Open the air condition.”
(Greek influence: «άνοιξε το air condition»)
✔ Correct: Turn on the AC
(or Switch on the air conditioner)

4️⃣ “Close the lights.”
(Greek influence: «κλείσε τα φώτα»)
✔ Correct: Turn off the lights

5️⃣ “I’m waiting you.”
(Greek influence: «σε περιμένω»)
✔ Correct: I’m waiting for you.

If you’ve been saying any of these… you’re definitely not alone.
Almost EVERY Greek student I’ve taught has used at least one of these without noticing.

So many of my students learn Greek from apps, friends, or guessing… and end up saying things that sound correct but aren’t actually used by native speakers.
Here are 3 very common mistakes I correct every single week:

1️⃣ “Είμαι καλά, ευχαριστώ εσάς.”

❌ Sounds overly formal, unnatural, and a bit “translated.”
✔ Correct: “Είμαι καλά, ευχαριστώ.”

Why?
Because in Greek we only add εσάς when we want to emphasize the person.
Otherwise it feels too heavy for a normal conversation.

2️⃣ “Χαίρω πολύ να σε γνωρίσω.”

❌ This is something a textbook might create, but we don’t say it like that.
✔ Correct: “Χαίρω πολύ.”

It already means “Nice to meet you.”
Short. Natural. Perfect for every situation—from meeting a friend to meeting a CEO.

3️⃣ “Θέλω να έχω μια ραντεβού.”

❌ Direct translation from English (“I want to have an appointment”).
✔ Correct: “Θέλω να κλείσω ένα ραντεβού.”

Why?
Because in Greek we book an appointment literally “close an appointment.”
Once you know this, conversations at banks, clinics, and offices become much easier.

✨ If you want more Greek mistakes, everyday phrases, or Cypriot-Greek differences, stay here.
We teach Greek in a simple, friendly way for people living in Cyprus or anyone who wants to feel more confident speaking with the locals. 🇨🇾💛