Παρακαλώ and τίποτα: two answers to "thank you"
To ευχαριστώ a Greek answers with one of two words, and both are correct. The difference is not in politeness but in how level the answer sounds. For example: “— Ευχαριστώ πολύ. — Παρακαλώ.” — — 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
To ευχαριστώ (efkharistó) a Greek answers with one of two words, and both are correct. The difference is not in politeness but in how level the answer sounds.
παρακαλώ (parakaló) carries three jobs at once: "please" in a request, "don't mention it" in reply to thanks, and "hello, I'm listening" when the phone is picked up. The telephone use is the same "I beg": having lifted the receiver, a Greek literally says "I ask you" — that is, go ahead, speak — the same word that invites a guest in or hands over what was asked for. It is neutral and suits anyone, which is exactly why it is the safe default.
τίποτα (típota) means "nothing" word for word — the same "nothing" the course teaches with negation. As an answer to thanks it means "oh, it was nothing": warmer, shorter, more conversational. With a stranger and in an office stay with παρακαλώ, while in a request τίποτα does not work at all.
Table
| the case | παρακαλώ | τίποτα |
|---|---|---|
| a request: "please" | yes: éna neró, parakaló | no |
| an answer to thanks | yes, neutral | yes, warmer and conversational |
| an answer to the phone | yes: 'I'm listening' | no |
By example
- — Ευχαριστώ πολύ. — Παρακαλώ.— efkharistó polí. — parakaló.— Thank you very much. — You are welcome.
- — Ευχαριστώ! — Τίποτα!— efkharistó! — típota!— Thanks! — It was nothing!
- Ένα νερό, παρακαλώéna neró, parakalóA water, please
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 or τίποτα: what to answer to ευχαριστώ?
To ευχαριστώ a Greek answers with one of two words, and both are correct. The difference is not in politeness but in how level the answer sounds.
How to say you are welcome in Greek?
παρακαλώ carries three jobs at once: "please" in a request, "don't mention it" in reply to thanks, and "hello, I'm listening" when the phone is picked up. The telephone use is the same "I beg": having lifted the receiver, a Greek literally says "I ask you" — that is, go ahead, speak — the same word…
Why a Greek says παρακαλώ when picking up the phone?
τίποτα means "nothing" word for word — the same "nothing" the course teaches with negation. As an answer to thanks it means "oh, it was nothing": warmer, shorter, more conversational. With a stranger and in an office stay with παρακαλώ, while in a request τίποτα does not work at all.
How to say please in Greek?
τίποτα means "nothing" word for word — the same "nothing" the course teaches with negation. As an answer to thanks it means "oh, it was nothing": warmer, shorter, more conversational. With a stranger and in an office stay with παρακαλώ, while in a request τίποτα does not work at all.
What does it look like in an example sentence Greek?
“— Ευχαριστώ πολύ. — Παρακαλώ.” (— 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.