IdeaStar Project Manager Lia Spithas may have been born in America, but she and her family are very much Greek. “We speak Greek at home and with family and friends and have made it a point to stay bilingual down through the generations,” Lia says. “Greek is a very rich, interesting language and has really helped me understand English much better. It is amazing how much English derives from other languages.”

The other day, Lia posted a “A Greek Word of the Day.” It was interesting to hear people walking up and down the halls mangling “thank you” in Greek. So we asked her for some lessons, including:

Basics

• yes - Malesta or ne no - oxi (o-hee)
• please- separakalo
• thank you - efharisto

Professional

• Yes. We will make a new Web site for you. Ne. Tha sas kanoume kenurio Web site.
• A content management system is included. Deahirisitiko systema ton perierheomienon.
• What a beautiful Web site. To Web site enai poli omorfo.

Survival

• When is lunch? Pote tha fame mesimerino?
• May I have a 50 percent raise? Thelo afksisis peninda teen ekato?
• I would like Mondays off. Thelo na meen doulevo steen deftera.

Greek does use a different alphabet, so Lia wrote the words phonetically in English. Learn about Greek writing here.

Lia also gave us a Greek mystery word for the week. Oktopodee. If you know what it is, or would like to take a guess, click the link below and tell us.

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