LingoflyΠαρακαλώ and τίποτα: two answers to "thank you"
A Greek answers ευχαριστώ (efkharistó) with two different words, and both are right. The difference is not politeness but how level the answer sounds. For example: “Ευχαριστώ πολύ (efkharistó polí). — Παρακαλώ (parakaló).” — Thank you very much. — You are welcome. A rule from the Greek course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
A Greek answers ευχαριστώ (efkharistó) with two different words, and both are right. The difference is not politeness but how level the answer sounds.
παρακαλώ (parakaló) does three jobs at once: "please" in a request, "you're welcome" after thanks, and "hello" when picking up the phone. On the phone it is still "I ask you" — that is, "please, go ahead". It is neutral with anybody, so it is the safe default.
τίποτα (típota) means "nothing" — the same word that stands in a negation. As an answer to thanks it is "don't mention it": warmer, shorter, more everyday.
With a stranger, or at an office, παρακαλώ (parakaló) is the better one. And in a request τίποτα (típota) does not work at all.
Table
By example
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
Παρακαλώ (parakaló) or τίποτα (típota): what to answer to ευχαριστώ (efkharistó)?
With a stranger, or at an office, παρακαλώ (parakaló) is the better one. And in a request τίποτα (típota) does not work at all.
How to say you are welcome in Greek?
A Greek answers ευχαριστώ (efkharistó) with two different words, and both are right. The difference is not politeness but how level the answer sounds.
Why a Greek says παρακαλώ (parakaló) when picking up the phone?
παρακαλώ (parakaló) does three jobs at once: "please" in a request, "you're welcome" after thanks, and "hello" when picking up the phone. On the phone it is still "I ask you" — that is, "please, go ahead". It is neutral with anybody, so it is the safe default.
How to say please in Greek?
A Greek answers ευχαριστώ (efkharistó) with two different words, and both are right. The difference is not politeness but how level the answer sounds.
What does it look like in a Greek example sentence?
“Ευχαριστώ πολύ (efkharistó polí). — Παρακαλώ (parakaló).” (efkharistó polí. — parakaló.) — Thank you very much. — You are welcome. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.