The Common Greek Word With Confusing Meanings Tourists May Want To Just Avoid Saying

Greece is one of the world's most beautiful and culturally rich destinations. It's history dates back thousands of years and has inspired humanity for generations. Modern democracy, philosophy, art, theater, architecture, and literature all have ties to ancient Greece. During your travels, you'll get to experience ancient ruins, visit charming islands with easy to reach beaches, try mouthwatering traditional Mediterranean flavors, and see one of the oldest cities in Europe. You'll also get to experience the beautiful musical-sounding Greek language, which is one of the oldest living languages in the world. Travelers who are looking to fully immerse themselves in Greek culture should consider learning a bit of Greek during their vacation.

Even if you only attempt to pick up a few words and phrases during your trip, you'll improve your overall travel experience. Although many Greeks already speak multiple languages, including fluent English, communicating in their native language is a sign of respect and shows interest in their culture. You'll likely find that it's much easier to make friends with locals, and they'll be excited to teach you new words and phrases.

Traveling abroad allows unparalleled opportunities to immerse yourself in another culture, but make sure you explore with respect. Learning local slang can be particularly fun, but tourists should be mindful of exactly what it is they're saying, and when to appropriately use slang words. In Greece, some slang words commonly used by locals — like the word "malaka" — can be extremely rude and offensive if they aren't used in exactly the right context.

Greek has been spoken for around 3,000 years. It was the language used by some of the world's most iconic scholars including mathematicians, philosophers, and writers. English speakers may not realize it, but around 30% of our language is rooted in Greek. Comet, planet, odyssey, utopia, cosmos, and panic are just a few examples of borrowed words we regularly use in English. Even though some words may sound recognizable, there are many that English may find confusing – especially concerning the context in which they are used.

Malaka is a common Greek slang word that is used as a friendly jest or a derogatory insult depending on the context. If you spend enough time making friends with the locals on your trip to Greece, you'll likely hear it thrown around at some point, but you may want to avoid using the term altogether. TikTok user @kostafitness stated that tourists should, "Never, I repeat, never, call a Greek malaka," in a video outlining tips for traveling to Greece.

Malaka has the same meaning as the English word "wanker" and traditionally refers to someone who indulges in frequent masturbation, but in Greece it has multiple uses. It can be used as a swear word, to refer to someone annoying, to flirt, or to greet your best friend. As a tourist, you might want to avoid using the word malakas unless you're interacting with close friends who you're certain will understand your context.

 Greece is known for having some of the world's friendliest locals, but there's no point in throwing around a word that could potentially be perceived as an insult, even if it is dangerously fun to pronounce. There are plenty of other wonderful words to learn and use during your trip to Greece. Instead of using malaka, consider trying out some other fun slang words that are a bit less offensive.

"Aragma" is a Greek slang word that means to chill or to relax. You may use it to express a desire to hang out with friends. "Ela" is another common expression that can be used for almost anything. It translates to "come" but it can be used as a greeting, or as an expression of disbelief. "Ya" or "ya ya" is a casual greeting, and it's basically the equivalent of "hey" or "hi."

Learning a new language has all kinds of wonderful advantages. It helps broaden your horizons and connect you with other people from around the world. Cognitive benefits of learning a new language are endless — it can help increase your memory, improve your problem solving skills, and unlock new creative abilities. Immersion learning is one of the most effective methods, and can help you learn about the culture in which you're traveling. Have fun listening, learning, and trying out new words for yourself, as long as you're careful not to be rude in the process.