Is learning Modern Greek hard or easy?

In the beginning, it may be difficult because of writing and knowing the alphabet, but once you get the basics and the grammar down, it will get easier. You should learn the basics and yes a little more so you can communicate with greeks at restaurants, stores, etc. Here are some of the basics(like greetings):

Hello: Geia Sou (Ghee-a Sou)

How are you?: Ti kaneis (Tee-kah-nees)

I am good- Eimai Kala (ee-me ka-lah

Thank You: Euxaristo (ef-char-ee-stoh)

Your Welcome: Parakalo (para-kaloh)

Good Morning: Kalimera (Kah-lee-merah)

Good Evening: Kalispera (Kah-lee-speh-rah)

Good Night: Kalinuxta (Kah-lee-nee-chta)

Those were some basics

Here is a website where you can learn greek for free. Learning greek may take a while cause there is soo much to learn. (its not the whole language like verbs, grammar, etc.)

you can learn the whole language if you want online for free(which you can google and choose which website you want to learn from, but you need an account which you can create for free) Greek was my first language before i spoke english, I also went to greek school once a week, so thts how i know greek so well :)

http://www.loecsen.com/travel/0-en-67-2-57-free-le...

Here is also a youtube video of the Greek alphabet so you can better understand greek and pronouncing the words. The more Greek you know, The easier it will be when you are in greece :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28yu1PFc438

I don't think you can learn more than the basics if you go to Greece this year. It's a hard language and it needs its time so you can comprehend what you're saying. I think you should stick with the basics like the ones Theanoula mentioned, and if you like it, keep on learning.

Good luck and have fun!

Modern Greek is way easier than Ancient or Koine Greek. Modern Greek doesn't have the different dialects Ancient does. The basics should help if you're sticking to Athens and other cosmopolitan areas where tourists usually go. If you have the time, stretch further and try to get a grasp of the grammar and vocabulary for anything you should have to talk to them about.

Try www.fsi-language-courses.org and www.byki.com (List Central) for vocabulary.