“Kalimera” and “Koukla mou” – Greek greetings you’re sure to hear when you visit

By
Bex Hall
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Kalimera and Koukla mou - Greek greetings you're sure to hear when you visit the country- LifeBeyondBorders
Kalimera and Koukla mou - Greek greetings you're sure to hear when you visit the country- LifeBeyondBorders

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We’ve looked at some odd Greek superstitions such as why Greeks might spit at you when you visit (truly! But don’t worry, it’s a compliment).  There are also some really helpful tips about Do’s and Don’t in Greece – Greek Customs and Etiquette that’ll help you when you plan your visit (what’s right in one culture isn’t necessarily so in another, right?) Now let’s take a look at some Greek phrases you’re sure to hear when you visit this beautiful country.  It’s always good to understand a little, right?

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Koukla Mou meaning

A very popular word you may hear bandied around is koukla mou. A song by Greek singer Vasilis Papakonstantinou entitled Fronima koukla mou is popular – have a listen:
but what does koukla mou mean in Greek, or the koukla mou meaning?
I find it a lovely phrase.  The koukla translation and koukla mou meaning in English means “my doll” and is said (usually) by old women to little children, or by old women to me as they grab my cheek and affectionately pull it – I don’t know why I seem to invite old women into my personal space to touch and prod me, but they do and actually, it’s kinda nice.
Sometimes, men use it when trying to let you know they think a lot of you.  It’s the mou at the end of the sentence that does it – it personalises it to my.
In the Greek language, when mou is used at the end of any sentence ie: personalising anything to ‘my’ is a huge compliment.
And even when men use it, it doesn’t sound sleazy or flirty, just really, really nice.   The kouklamou meaning in Greek is a term of endearment.  And besides, despite the language differences, you can usually tell when someone’s using a sleazy tone and trying to pick you up.
An example of the use of koukla mou in Greek: As I exit a taxi ride, I pay my fair, thank the man in Greek  – Efaristou and I may receive a “Parakalo, koukla mou” (“You are welcome, my doll”).
So in summary, the koukla translation is ‘doll’ and koukla mou meaning in English is ‘my doll’.  It’s not considered sleazy, it is a term of endearment.
greek taxi photo - LifeBeyondBorders
Photo by MPD01605 

Greek_Phrases_and_What_they_Mean
Greek_Phrases_and_What_they_Mean

Kalimera meaning

Kalimera (pronounced as it is literally spelt: Kali mera) means Good morning and is heartily bestowed upon anybody who is walking past (obviously at the correct time of day).  Even in the centre of Athens, you can leave your flat and be Kalimera’d at least 3 or 4 times by strangers – so imagine how many times you have to repeat it as you walk past your neighbourhood bakery, hairdressers, man at the bottom of the street selling flowers, the people sitting outside the kafenion, etc.

Personally, I love this start to the day. It makes such a change from the unspoken no eye contact rule in bigger cities.  It doesn’t mean people will stop and have a full blown conversation with you, so if you’re not a morning person, don’t worry, you don’t have to avoid all human contact in Greece in the mornings, just know that people will smile and probably wish you a “kalimera”.

Visiting Athens and want to know some alternative places to visit beyond the tourist traps? Read my:

Next time you’re visiting Greece, listen out for these phrases.
Other lovely phrases include:
  • Koritzi mou (My Sweetheart)
  • Kopela mou (My Girl)

What phrases have you heard when visiting a foreign country that stick in your mind? Anything memorable? Share in the comments.

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Kalimera and Koukla mou - Greek phrases you're sure to hear when you visit Greece
Kalimera and Koukla mou – Greek phrases you’re sure to hear when you visit  Image © Russell Yan from Pixabay

Header image © nonbirinonko from Pixabay

10 COMMENTS

  3. There are plenty more lovely sayings/expressions where these came from – one day when you come, you’ll hear them all.
    Thanks for your comments and glad you’re liking the blog entries.

  4. I wonder if “koukla” was the origin of “Kukla” in the old televison puppet show “Kukla, Fran and Olie”.

  5. I love the idea of frequent kalimera’s Bex. Awesome! What a change up from a big city like NYC; as noted it is an unspoken, no chat or eye contact rule, and creates the ridiculous feeling that among 11 million people you actually feel alone. Meanwhile here in New Zealand, I feel surrounded by humanity when 5 or 10 folks greet me and befriend me, or at least address me with a cordial “Hi”, any day I wander around.

    Ryan

  6. I’ll be sure to come back to your site and check these posts next time I’m on my way to Greece! I always mean to learn a few words in each new country, but my memory is like a sieve. I noticed particularly in Guadeloupe that the French people who are there on vacation will wish everyone they pass “Bonjour.” No need to converse; just “Bonjour.” I like it!

  7. Thanks Rachel. I, too, think it’s important to learn a few phrases in a country. Language is so interesting!

  9. Koukla Mou is a real compliment. A male is koukle – and if you are speaking to a group – you would say ‘my boy is handsome’ (and I am finding out exactly how to say this). And it doesn’t matter if the ‘boy’ is 30, 40, etc – it’s a term of endearment.

  10. OK – I have just checked and if you want to say that your male is handsome, you’d say:

    To agori mou einai kouklos (‘Kouklos’ is the male doll, ‘mou’ is my, Agori is male)