Introduction to the Greek Alphabet and Phonetics

Abjad found in Canaanite and Aramaic inscriptions across the Mediterranean from the 11th–2nd centuries BCE.

The Greek alphabet is a set of 24 letters that has been used to write the Greek language since the late 9th or early 8th century BC. It is derived from the earlier Phoenician alphabet and was the first alphabetic script to have distinct letters for vowels as well as consonants.

Greek Alphabet

The Greek alphabet consists of 24 letters, each with a capital and lowercase form. The letters are:

• Alpha (Α, α)
• Beta (Β, β)
• Gamma (Γ, γ)
• Delta (Δ, δ)
• Epsilon (Ε, ε)
• Zeta (Ζ, ζ)
• Eta (Η, η)
• Theta (Θ, θ)
• Iota (Ι, ι)
• Kappa (Κ, κ)
• Lambda (Λ, λ)
• Mu (Μ, μ)
• Nu (Ν, ν)
• Xi (Ξ, ξ)
• Omicron (Ο, ο)
• Pi (Π, π)
• Rho (Ρ, ρ)
• Sigma (Σ, σ/ς)
• Tau (Τ, τ)
• Upsilon (Υ, υ)
• Phi (Φ, φ)
• Chi (Χ, χ)
• Psi (Ψ, ψ)
• Omega (Ω, ω)

Pronunciation of Greek Letters

Each Greek letter has a specific pronunciation. Some letters sound very similar to their English counterparts, while others are quite different. For example, the Greek letter beta (β) is pronounced like the English 'b', while the Greek letter chi (χ) is pronounced like the 'ch' in 'Bach'.

Diphthongs and Special Characters

In addition to the standard letters, Greek also has a number of diphthongs, which are combinations of two vowels that make a single sound. Some common Greek diphthongs include 'ai' (as in 'aisle'), 'ei' (as in 'eight'), and 'oi' (as in 'oil').

Greek also has a few special characters, such as the final form of sigma (ς), which is used only at the end of words, and the diaeresis (¨), which indicates that two adjacent vowels should be pronounced separately.

Practice Reading and Writing Greek Letters

To become familiar with the Greek alphabet, it's important to practice both reading and writing the letters. Start by copying the letters by hand, paying attention to the shape and order of the strokes. Then, practice reading words and sentences in Greek, using a pronunciation guide to help you.

Remember, learning a new alphabet is a gradual process, so don't be discouraged if it takes some time to get the hang of it. With practice, you'll soon be able to read and write in Greek with ease.