Modern Greek for Indian Students (Sixteenth Lesson)

Lesson 16 focuses on shopping for clothes and souvenirs in Greece, teaching phrases essential for purchasing and bargaining in shops. Key vocabulary includes terms for sizes, colors, and materials. Instructions are provided for practice dialogues, encouraging learners to confidently try on clothes, ask for different sizes, and negotiate prices politely. The lesson emphasizes cultural understanding by integrating local shopping behaviors, making it easier for students to engage with vendors. Homework involves simulating shopping experiences to reinforce vocabulary and bargaining skills, preparing learners for real-life scenarios and the upcoming lesson on housing.

advtanmoy 23/11/2025 2 minutes read

Lesson 16 of 20: Shopping for Clothes & Souvenirs – Like a Local

After today you’ll walk into any shop in Plaka, Ermou or a village and buy (or bargain) without stress.

1. Clothes & sizes (the phrases you’ll use 100×)

Greek	Pronunciation	English
Θέλω να δοκιμάσω αυτό	THEH-loh na tho-kee-MA-so af-TOH	I’d like to try this on
Έχετε αυτό σε …;	EH-heh-teh af-TOH se …?	Do you have this in …?
Έχετε μεγαλύτερο/μικρότερο μέγεθος;	…meh-GHA-lee-teh-ro/mee-KRO-teh-ro	bigger/smaller size?
Μου πέφτει λίγο μεγάλο/μικρό	moo PEF-tee LEE-gho meh-GHA-lo/mee-KRO	It’s a bit big/small on me
Μου κάνει τέλεια!	moo KAH-nee TEH-lya	It fits perfectly!
Πόσο κάνει αυτό το φόρεμα;	PO-so KAH-nee af-TOH to FO-reh-ma	How much is this dress?

Greek–EU–UK–US size cheat sheet (memorise just the column you need):

GR woman	EU	UK	US
Small	36	8	4
Medium	38	10 10	6
Large	40–42	12–14	8–10

Men: Small = 48, Medium = 50, Large = 52–54

2. Colours & materials

3. Bargaining & complaining (politely but firmly)

Είναι λίγο ακριβό…	EE-neh LEE-gho a-kree-VO…	It’s a bit expensive…
Μπορείτε να μου κάνετε καλύτερη τιμή;	bo-REE-teh na moo KAH-neh-teh kal-LEE-teh-ree tee-MEE	Can you give me a better price?
Στα 30 το αφήνετε;	Sta TREE-AN-da to a-FEE-neh-teh?	Will you leave it at 30 ?
Δεν το θέλω πια, ευχαριστώ	Then to THEH-loh pya…	I don’t want it any more, thanks
Μπορώ να το αλλάξω αύριο;	bo-RO na to a-LAK-so AV-ree-o	Can I exchange it tomorrow?

4. Mini shop dialogue (practise this one!)

You: Καλημέρα! Θέλω να δοκιμάσω αυτό το λευκό πουκάμισο σε medium. Seller: Βεβαίως, το δοκιμαστήριο είναι εκεί. You: (comes out) Μου πέφτει λίγο μεγάλο. Έχετε small; Seller: Μόνο αυτό το μέγεθος, αλλά είναι βαμβακερό 100 %. You: Μμμ… είναι ωραίο, αλλά 55 ευρώ είναι ακριβό. Στα 45 το αφήνετε; Seller: Ε, για εσάς 48! You: Εντάξει, το παίρνω!

5. Vocabulary (15 shopping words)

το μέγεθος MEH-geh-thos size
το νούμερο NOO-meh-ro number/size
το δοκιμαστήριο tho-kee-mas-TEE-ree-o fitting room
στενό steh-NO tight
φαρδύ far-THEE loose
μακρύ/κοντό ma-KREE/kon-DO long/short
η απόχρωση a-PO-khro-see shade
η έκπτωση EHK-to-see discount
η απόδειξη a-PO-thek-see receipt
πληρωμή plee-ro-MEE payment
μετρητά meh-tree-TAH cash
κάρτα KAR-ta card
επιστροφή eh-pee-stro-FEE return
αλλαγή a-la-YEE exchange
προσφορά pros-fo-RA special offer

6. Homework (10 min)

Write or record yourself buying two items (one clothes, one souvenir) and bargaining the price down.
Memorise the magic bargaining line: «Μπορείτε να μου κάνετε καλύτερη τιμή;»
Go to a shop (real or imaginary) and ask for three things in different sizes/colours.

When you’re ready, say “Lesson 17” and we’ll learn: