Greek is the official language of Greece, which is also called the Hellenic Republic, and is also one of the official languages of the Republic of Cyprus. There are big Greek and Cypriot communities in the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, Chile, South Africa and Russia, but also in neighbouring countries, such as Albania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. 

It’s estimated that around 30% of the English vocabulary consists, directly and indirectly, of words of Classical Greek origin. Most of them are technical and scientific terms.

Words of Greek origin are often used at the beginning of a word, such as:
aero from ἀήρ [aeer], air
auto from αὐτός [aftos], self
cata from κατά [kata], down
hyper from ὑπέρ [yper], over

However, while the Greek language has contributed to the English vocabulary in the past, with the introduction of new technologies and the globalisation of the media industry, there has been an influx, in recent decades, of English or Hellenised English words into the Greek vocabulary. 

If you plan to live, work or retire in Cyprus, learning Greek will help you to integrate more easily and quickly into Cypriot society and culture. Cypriots love it when you can speak to them in their language, even if it’s just the basics. Also, the Greek language has influenced other languages around the world, so learning Greek can help you recognize and understand certain words in other European and non-European languages.

FAMOUS QUOTES

Most ancient Greek personalities, such as philosophers and politicians, have left no writings of their own and thus any knowledge about their teachings or opinions comes primarily from other sources such as ancient authors who quote them or refer to them in their own work.

Eν οίδα ότι ουδέν οίδα

[En eetha otee outhen eetha]

I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.

This is one of the most well-known quotes attributed to Socrates (469-399 BC), the ancient Greek philosopher and teacher of Plato and Xenophon.

Οι σοφοί άνδρες μιλούν επειδή έχουν να πουν κάτι. Οι ανόητοι επειδή κάτι πρέπει να πουν

[Ee sophee anthres meeloun epeethee ekhoun na poun katee. Ee anoitee epeethee katee prepeee na poun].

Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.

Plato (428/427 BC – 348/347 BC) Greek philosopher and mathematician