Bedeutung
Greeting someone arriving.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Hospitality is often expressed through food. Saying 'Καλώς ήρθες' is almost always followed by an offer of coffee or a snack. In Crete, greetings are exceptionally warm. You might hear 'Καλώς ορίσατε' even in informal settings, often accompanied by a glass of raki. For Greeks living abroad, 'Καλώς ήρθες' carries a heavy emotional weight of 'Nostos' (homecoming). It is the ultimate phrase of belonging. In modern Greek offices, the shift from 'Καλώς ήρθατε' to 'Καλώς ήρθες' signals that you have been accepted into the inner circle of the team.
The Response Rule
Always try to respond with 'Καλώς σε βρήκα'. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
The 'Thank You' Trap
Never use this phrase to respond to 'Thank you'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers!
Bedeutung
Greeting someone arriving.
The Response Rule
Always try to respond with 'Καλώς σε βρήκα'. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
The 'Thank You' Trap
Never use this phrase to respond to 'Thank you'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers!
Formal vs Informal
If in doubt, use 'Καλώς ήρθατε'. It's safer to be too formal than too informal.
Body Language
Smile and open your arms slightly when saying this. It's a very 'open' greeting.
Teste dich selbst
You are greeting your best friend, Maria, at your house. What do you say?
_______, Μαρία!
Since Maria is a single friend, the informal singular 'Καλώς ήρθες' is correct.
Complete the sentence to welcome someone to Greece.
Καλώς ήρθες ____ Ελλάδα!
Ελλάδα is a feminine noun, so we use 'στην' (to the).
Match the greeting with the correct situation.
1. Καλώς ήρθες, 2. Καλώς ήρθατε, 3. Παρακαλώ
Καλώς ήρθες is singular, Καλώς ήρθατε is plural, and Παρακαλώ is 'You're welcome'.
Complete the response to the greeting.
Host: Καλώς ήρθες, Νίκο! Nikos: Καλώς ___ βρήκα!
The standard response to 'Καλώς ήρθες' (singular) is 'Καλώς σε βρήκα'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use Καλώς ήρθες
People
- • One friend
- • Family member
- • Close colleague
Places
- • Your home
- • Your city
- • A party
Situations
- • Arrival
- • Joining a group
- • Returning
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben_______, Μαρία!
Since Maria is a single friend, the informal singular 'Καλώς ήρθες' is correct.
Καλώς ήρθες ____ Ελλάδα!
Ελλάδα is a feminine noun, so we use 'στην' (to the).
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Καλώς ήρθες is singular, Καλώς ήρθατε is plural, and Παρακαλώ is 'You're welcome'.
Host: Καλώς ήρθες, Νίκο! Nikos: Καλώς ___ βρήκα!
The standard response to 'Καλώς ήρθες' (singular) is 'Καλώς σε βρήκα'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo. Use 'Παρακαλώ' (Parakaló) for that. 'Καλώς ήρθες' is only for arrival.
Use 'Καλώς ήρθατε' (Kalós írthate).
They are almost the same. 'Καλώς ήρθες' is more common and modern, while 'Καλώς όρισες' is slightly more traditional.
No. 'Ήρθες' is the same for men and women. It only changes for plural/formal.
It is written as two words: 'Καλώς ήρθες'.
Yes, if the email is informal and you are welcoming someone to a group or a visit.
Say 'Καλώς ήρθες πίσω' (Kalós írthes píso).
Just say 'Καλώς ήρθες!' with a smile.
Yes, 'Καλώς τον!' is a very common casual way to welcome a male friend.
Because the person has already arrived (the action is finished).
Yes! 'Καλώς ήρθες στον κόσμο' (Welcome to the world) is very common.
Yes, though the accent and some small variations might exist, it is perfectly understood.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Καλώς ήρθατε
specialized formWelcome (plural/formal)
Καλώς σε βρήκα
builds onWell I found you
Καλώς όρισες
synonymWelcome
Καλό ταξίδι
contrastHave a good trip
Καλωσόρισμα
specialized formA welcome/reception
