good morning
/ˈka.liˈme.ra/
This is the standard, essential greeting used in Greece from dawn until midday. The phrase is a compound of "kali" (good) and "mera" (day), functioning as a warm and polite way to acknowledge someone when you first see them during the morning hours. It is universally used in both professional and social settings. While it is grammatically singular, it is common to use it even when addressing a group of people. In very relaxed settings, you might hear it shortened to just "mera," though the full version is always safe and polite.
In conversation
Greeting a colleague
Καλημέρα, Γιώργο!
Good morning, George!
Καλημέρα! Πώς είσαι;
Good morning! How are you?
Standard, polite way to start a workday.
Waking up in the house
Καλημέρα, μαμά.
Good morning, Mom.
Καλημέρα, αγάπη μου.
Good morning, my love.
Used naturally between family members.
Examples
Καλημέρα, πώς είστε;
/ka.liˈme.ra, pos ˈi.ste/
Good morning, how are you?
Καλημέρα σε όλους, ελπίζω να έχετε μια όμορφη μέρα.
/ka.liˈme.ra se ˈo.lus, elˈpi.zo na ˈe.çe.te mia oˈmor.fi ˈme.ra/
Good morning everyone, I hope you have a beautiful day.
Μια γλυκιά καλημέρα για να ξεκινήσει καλά η μέρα σου.
/mia ɣliˈca ka.liˈme.ra ʝia na kse.ciˈni.si kaˈla i ˈme.ra su/
A sweet good morning to help your day start well.
