Official Languages: Greek and Turkish
- Greek: The biggie here is Greek, spoken predominantly in the southern part of the island. A simple “Kalimera” (Good morning) or “Efharisto” (Thank you) will definitely earn you some smiles.
- Turkish: In the northern part, you’ll hear Turkish. Saying “Merhaba” (Hello) or “Teşekkür ederim” (Thank you) is a good way to connect with locals.
English: The Common Ground
No worries if you don’t speak Greek or Turkish—English is widely spoken and understood, especially in tourist areas and among younger folks. Road signs, menus, and information boards often come in English too.
Russian and Other Languages
Given that Cyprus is a popular holiday destination, you’ll often hear Russian, especially in Limassol and Paphos. Some locals in tourist-heavy areas also speak German, French, or Italian to cater to visitors.
Dialects and Accents
There’s also the Cypriot dialect, which is fascinating but can be a bit tricky to understand, even if you’re fluent in standard Greek or Turkish. It’s like a cool linguistic layer to the island’s rich history.
Handy Phrases
Here are some useful phrases in both Greek and Turkish to get you started:
- Hello: “Yia sas”
- Thank You: “Efharisto”
- Please: “Parakalo”
- Goodbye: “Antio”