Table of Contents
Why You Should Know These Words
Most doctors speak excellent English. But at reception, with nurses, at pharmacies and in rural hospitals, Greek helps. A few words make the difference between quick help and frustrating waiting. Save this as a phone screenshot.
Basic Terms
Giatros (doctor), Nosokomio (hospital), Farmakío (pharmacy), Éktakto (emergency), Asthenoforó (ambulance), Rantevú (appointment).
The section on "Why You Should Know These Words" was the most valuable for us. We couldn't find this information anywhere else before our move. It saved us a lot of time and hassle.
– Newcomer from Vienna, in Paphos since 2022
Describing Symptoms
Ponáo (I have pain), Ponáo edó (pain here + point), Pirétós (fever), Víchas (cough), Aléryia (allergy), Trávma (injury). Golden phrase: "Ponáo edó, ké écho pirétó" (pain here and fever).
Body Parts
Kefáli (head), Stomáchi (stomach), Pláti (back), Chéri (hand/arm), Pódi (foot/leg), Kardiá (heart). Pointing always works – but naming the body part gains precious seconds in an ER.
Emergency Phrases
Voíthia! (Help!), Kalé́ste asthenoforó! (Call ambulance!), Íme aleryikós (I'm allergic), Écho diavíti (I have diabetes). 112 works in English, but these phrases help with Greek-speaking bystanders.
At the Doctor in Greek
Topics: Why You Should Know These Words, Basic Terms, Describing Symptoms
CMC Practical Tip
Why You Should Know These Words Most doctors speak excellent English.
Frequently Asked Questions
No – most doctors speak excellent English. Greek helps at reception, with nurses, and in rural health centers.
Google Translate works well. Download Greek offline. Camera translation reads signs and forms in real-time.
"Ponáo edó" (pain here + point). Every ER has English-speaking doctors, but triage nurse may only speak Greek.
Use the active ingredient name (same internationally). Or show a photo of your German medication.
How CMC Supports You
At CMC Certus Management Consultants, we are here for you – not only for tax and legal questions, but also for all practical topics of everyday life in Cyprus. Our team in Larnaca and Pafos knows the local conditions first-hand.
As your local contact, we handle: company formation and management, tax advisory and Non-Dom applications, ongoing bookkeeping and tax returns, support with authorities, and referrals to estate agents, lawyers, doctors and tradespeople.