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Numbers are the part of a foreign language that pays off fastest. You do not need grammar or syntax — you need the words themselves, reliably pronounced, in the right moment. A market vendor, a ferry ticket window, a bakery, a restaurant — in all of these contexts, knowing how to say two, five, ten, or twenty in Greek produces a specific and visible response.
This guide covers 1–20 in full, plus the higher-value numbers (50, 100, 1000) and the vocabulary for time, prices, and quantities. For the full practical language guide, see essential Greek phrases. For the starter vocabulary, see basic Greek words.
Greek Numbers 1–10
Number | Greek | Pronunciation | Notes
1 | Ένα | E-na | Feminine form: mia (μία) — used before feminine nouns
2 | Δύο | DI-o | Same in all contexts
3 | Τρία | TREE-a | Masculine: tris, Feminine: tris
4 | Τέσσερα | TES-se-ra | Masculine: tesseris
5 | Πέντε | PEN-de | Same in all contexts
6 | Έξι | EK-see | Same in all contexts
7 | Εφτά | ef-TA | Also: epta (ε-ΠΤΑ) — both correct
8 | Οκτώ | ok-TO | Same in all contexts
9 | Εννιά | en-YA | Also: ennia — both correct
10 | Δέκα | THE-ka | Same in all contexts
The most important three: Dio (2), tria (3), and pende (5) cover a disproportionate amount of everyday use. If you learn only three numbers, learn these.
The mia / ena distinction: One has two forms in Greek. Ena is neutral gender (one coffee — ena kafe), mia is feminine (one beer — mia bira). In practice, using ena universally will be understood; the gender distinction matters less for communication than for sounding correct.
Greek Numbers 11–20
The teens in Greek follow a completely consistent pattern: the base number plus -deka (ten), run together. This makes them significantly more regular than English teens.
Number | Greek | Pronunciation
11 | Έντεκα | EN-de-ka
12 | Δώδεκα | THO-the-ka
13 | Δεκατρία | the-ka-TREE-a
14 | Δεκατέσσερα | the-ka-TES-se-ra
15 | Δεκαπέντε | the-ka-PEN-de
16 | Δεκαέξι | the-ka-EK-see
17 | Δεκαεφτά | the-ka-ef-TA
18 | Δεκαοκτώ | the-ka-ok-TO
19 | Δεκαεννιά | the-ka-en-YA
20 | Είκοσι | EE-ko-see
The pattern: 13–19 are all deka + the base number, with minimal pronunciation change. Dekatria (13) = deka + tria. Dekapende (15) = deka + pende. Once you know 1–12, the rest follow automatically.
11 and 12 are exceptions — endeka (11) and dodeka (12) do not follow the pattern. These are the only two worth memorising as separate items.
Beyond 20: The Numbers You Need
You do not need to count fluently beyond 20 as a traveller. You need the round numbers for understanding prices and times.
Number | Greek | Pronunciation
20 | Είκοσι | EE-ko-see
30 | Τριάντα | tree-AN-da
40 | Σαράντα | sa-RAN-da
50 | Πενήντα | pe-NIN-da
60 | Εξήντα | ek-SIN-da
70 | Εβδομήντα | ev-tho-MIN-da
80 | Ογδόντα | og-THON-da
90 | Ενενήντα | e-ne-NIN-da
100 | Εκατό | e-ka-TO
200 | Διακόσια | thi-a-KO-see-a
500 | Πεντακόσια | pen-da-KO-see-a
1,000 | Χίλια | HEEL-ya
Compound numbers above 20: Greek adds kai (and) between components, though in fast speech it is often dropped. Twenty-five = ikosi pende (εικοσιπέντε). Thirty-two = trianta dio (τριάντα δύο). The rule is perfectly consistent.
Travel Use-Cases: When You Actually Need These
At a Bakery or Café
The most common numbers scenario. Two of everything.
- Dio kafe, parakalo — Two coffees, please
- Tria tiropita — Three cheese pies
- Pende koulouria — Five sesame rings
In a café or bakery, you will often be using numbers 1–5 more than any others. Ena, dio, tria and a nod at the item is sufficient for most orders.
At a Restaurant or Taverna
- Ena trapezi ya tetara, parakalo — A table for four, please
- Dio portokaladies — Two orange juices
- Tria suvlakia — Three souvlaki
The number comes before the item in Greek — the same order as English. No grammar knowledge required.
Prices and Money
Understanding prices quoted verbally:
- Deka euro — 10 euros
- Ikosi pende euro — 25 euros
- Ekato euro — 100 euros
- Poso kanei? — How much is it? (the essential question)
In markets and small shops, prices are often said aloud rather than displayed. Knowing the round numbers — 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 — covers most pricing situations.
Times and Transport
Ferries, buses, and restaurants use standard 24-hour or 12-hour clock vocabulary:
- Stis ennia — At nine (9:00)
- Stis deka kai misi — At half past ten (10:30)
- Stis dodeka to mesimeri — At noon
- Stis epta to vrady — At seven in the evening
Key time words:
- Misi — half (half past)
- Para — to/before (twenty-to is para ikosi)
- To proi — in the morning
- To vrady — in the evening
The ferry from Piraeus to Hydra departs at specific times — knowing how to read those times in Greek on a board (or understand them when spoken) prevents missed departures.
Phone Numbers and Addresses
Greek phone numbers are ten digits and are usually said in pairs or groups. If someone gives you their number, knowing the individual digits (1–9 and 0 = miden, mee-THEN) is all you need.
House numbers on street signs follow the same vocabulary — number plus street name.
A Note on Greek Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers (first, second, third) appear on menus, in addresses, and in conversation. The most useful:
English | Greek | Pronunciation
First | Πρώτος/η | PRO-tos/tee
Second | Δεύτερος/η | THEF-te-ros/ree
Third | Τρίτος/η | TREE-tos/tee
Last | Τελευταίος/α | te-lef-TE-os/a
Protos (first) appears on street signs (Protos Septemvriou — First of September Street), in hotel room references, and in ordinal contexts throughout. Devteros (second) is commonly used for a second floor, a second helping, a second option.
Quick Reference Card
Ordering (most used):
1 = ena / mia · 2 = dio · 3 = tria · 4 = tessera · 5 = pende · 10 = deka
Prices (round numbers):
20 = ikosi · 30 = trianta · 50 = peninda · 100 = ekato
Times:
9 = ennia · 10 = deka · 11 = endeka · 12 = dodeka
Key question: Poso kanei? — How much does it cost?
Plan Your Greece Trip
- Basic Greek Words — the essential starter vocabulary
- Essential Greek Phrases — 50+ phrases for every situation
- Ordering Food in Greek — the complete restaurant phrasebook
- Hello in Greek — greetings and how to use them
- Greek Alphabet — how to read road signs and menus
- How to Plan a Trip to Greece — the full planning framework
🇬🇷 Planning a trip to Greece? Use our AI Trip Planner to build your itinerary — or take our quiz to find the right destination. Ena, dio, tria — you're already started.