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The differences that matter on the island: εν instead of είναι, ίνταμπου instead of τι, and the everyday words you’ll hear in Nicosia, Limassol, and the villages.

The words you will hear first

Cypriot Greek is mutually intelligible with standard Greek once you know a handful of high-frequency swaps. Andys grew up with both.

  • εν

    en

    is / are — used instead of είναι

  • ίντα / ίνταμπου

    ínta / íntambu

    what? — instead of τι

  • πούεν;

    púen?

    where is…?

  • έσιει

    éshi

    there is / he has — instead of έχει

  • θωρώ

    thoró

    I see / I look — instead of βλέπω

  • συνάγω

    sinágho

    I understand — instead of καταλαβαίνω

The rest of the pack sits behind the fold.

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