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Greek · The Essential Ten

έλα ρε

éla re

EH-lah reh · /ˈe.la re/

Come on! / No way! / You're kidding — disbelief, protest, or delight depending on tone.

1/5 Grandma-safe

mild, playful; fine on daytime TV

Literally

"come, man"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

Endlessly versatile and Grandma-safe. Flat and skeptical it's "come on, really?"; bright and rising it's "no way, that's amazing!"; weary it's "give me a break." "Έλα ρε παιδί μου" adds a fond exasperation, like "oh, come on now." One of the first phrases that makes you sound like you actually live here rather than reciting a phrasebook. Pair with "σοβαρά;" (seriously?) for full effect.

Heard in the wild

Πήρες προαγωγή; Έλα ρε, μπράβο!

You got the promotion? No way, well done!

Where it lands

Greece & Cyprus (universal)

Quick answers

What does "έλα ρε" mean?
In Greek, "έλα ρε" means "Come on! / No way! / You're kidding — disbelief, protest, or delight depending on tone.". Literally it's "come, man". Endlessly versatile and Grandma-safe. Flat and skeptical it's "come on, really?"; bright and rising it's "no way, that's amazing!"; weary it's "give me a break." "Έλα ρε παιδί μου" adds a fond exasperation, like "oh, come on now." One of the first phrases that makes you sound like you actually live here rather than reciting a phrasebook. Pair with "σοβαρά;" (seriously?) for full effect.
Is "έλα ρε" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 1/5 (Grandma-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. mild, playful; fine on daytime TV.
How do you pronounce "έλα ρε"?
Say it "EH-lah reh" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: ˈe.la re.

Related in Greek

τι φάση ti fási tee FAH-see What's going on? / What the hell? / What's the deal? πω πω po po poh POH Wow / oh my / good grief — astonishment, dismay, or admiration. ωχ och okh Uh-oh / oops / oh no. τι λες ρε ti les re tee LESS reh What are you talking about?! / No way! / You can't be serious. απίστευτο apísteuto ah-PEE-stef-toh Unbelievable / incredible — in wonder or in outrage. τι στο διάολο ti sto diáolo tee stoh THYAH-oh-loh What the hell / what the devil.

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "No way".

how to say "No way" →how to say "Unbelievable" →

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