Καλή ζαριά!

Καλή means good and ζαριά means roll of the dice or throw.

So the whole expression means something like Good roll! or May you get a good roll!

Because ζαριά is a feminine noun in Greek, and adjectives must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.

The adjective καλός (good) changes like this in the singular nominative:

• καλός — masculine
• καλή — feminine
• καλό — neuter

Since ζαριά is feminine, you say καλή ζαριά.

Ζαριά usually means a dice roll, throw, or the result of throwing dice.

It is especially natural in contexts like:

• dice games
• backgammon
• gambling
• any situation where someone is about to roll

So Καλή ζαριά! is a set phrase you might say before someone rolls the dice.

Yes. In Greek, just like in English, short exclamations and wishes often leave out the verb.

So Καλή ζαριά! is understood as something like:

• Have a good roll!
• I wish you a good roll!
• May your roll be good!

Greek often uses this kind of short elliptical expression in greetings and wishes:

• Καλή τύχη! — Good luck!
• Καλή όρεξη! — Enjoy your meal!
• Καληνύχτα! — Good night!

A simple English-friendly pronunciation would be:

ka-LEE za-RYA

More accurately:

• Καλή = ka-LEE
• ζαριά = za-RYA

The stress falls on:

• -λή in Καλή
• -ριά in ζαριά

If you want an IPA-style version, it is approximately: [kaˈli zaˈrʝa]

It is common in the right context, especially in games involving dice, such as backgammon.

It is not a general-purpose phrase like Καλή τύχη! (Good luck!).
So you would use Καλή ζαριά! specifically when someone is about to roll dice or when talking playfully about luck in a dice-related situation.

Yes, but it means something slightly different.

• Καλή ζαριά! = Good roll! / Hope you get a favorable dice throw!
• Καλή τύχη! = Good luck!

So Καλή τύχη! is broader and can be used in almost any situation.
Καλή ζαριά! is more specific and tied to dice or games of chance.

It is in the nominative singular.

In short exclamations like this, Greek often uses the nominative:

• Καλή τύχη!
• Καλή επιτυχία!
• Καλή ζαριά!

So even though it functions like a wish, the noun stays in the nominative form.

The accent marks show which syllable is stressed in pronunciation.

• Καλή → stress on the last syllable
• ζαριά → stress on the last syllable

For learners, these marks are very helpful because Greek spelling normally shows word stress.

Sometimes yes. Besides the literal meaning of a dice roll, it can also suggest a gamble, risky move, or stroke of luck, depending on context.

But in Καλή ζαριά!, the most natural reading is the literal one: wishing someone a good outcome when rolling dice.

Both.

It can be used:

• literally, in games involving dice
• playfully, when comparing a situation to gambling or taking a chance

So it may sound warm, casual, and slightly playful depending on the context.