Cyprus Blog
Greek Alphabet Lessons
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| Α Alpha to Omega Ω |
Learn the Greek Alphabet right here!
Before learning any greek phrases it's best to start with the alphabet, it's the most important aspect of learning greek.
Follow how I taught myself the greek language.
Since moving to Cyprus, I made a conscious effort to learn greek, slowly, slowly. Or seega seega, a very commonly used greek phrase used here.
Learning the greek language isn't the easiest thing to do. Start by learning the alphabet first, it's the essential foundation. Once you master the greek letters it is much easier to learn some common greek phrases.
I found it easier to start learning the capital letters before moving onto their counterparts. You'll see why a little later.
A little Greek language history for you.
The 24 greek alphabet letters have been in use since the 9th century. Orginally greek was written right to left. The letters were also used to represent greek numerals beginning in the 2nd century.
In addition to being used for writing modern greek language, greek letters are used as symbols in mathematic, science and engineering to this day.
Here’s a sample of greek letters used as numerical mathematics symbols, some may be familiar to you.
Π π (Pi) Ξξ (Xi) Τ τ (Tau) Φ φ (Phi) Ψ ψ (Psi) Ω ω (Omega)
Another interesting fact for you
The word Alphabet is derived from the first two letters of the greek alphabet letter names
A = Alpha B = Beta - Alphabeta
How I Started
I simply started by dividing the alphabet into managable chunks. Some greek letters take more time to grasp than others. You'll see what I mean later. Let get started...
There are twenty four greek alphabet letters.
CAPITAL LETTERS
Α Β Γ Δ Ε Ζ Η Θ Ι Κ Λ Μ Ν Ξ Ο Π Ρ Σ Τ Υ Φ Χ Ψ Ω
Greek letters and their names
Α alpha
Β beta
Γ gamma
Δ delta
Ε epsilon
Ζ zeta
Η eta
Θ theta
Ι iota
Κ kappa
Λ lambda
Μ mu
Ν nu
Ξ xsi
Ο omikron
Π pi
Ρ rho
Σ sigma
Τ tau
Υ upsilon
Φ phi
Χ chi
Ψ psi
Ω omega
Small Greek Letters
| α alpha | β beta | γ gamma | δ delta | ε epsilon | ζ zeta |
| η eta | θ theta | Ι iota | κ kappa | λ lambda | μ mu |
| ν nu | ξ xsi | ο omicron | π pi | ρ rho | σ sigma |
| τ tau | υ upsilon | φ phi | χ chi | ψ psi | ω omega |
It pays to change your mindset to "new language" learning. It's natural to focus on seeing similarities to your own language, rather than approaching it from learning a new language. Just like when we first started primary school. Learning the alphabet by repetition.
It took me some time to do this.
Here's a really fun way to learn the alphabet. In this video a teacher uses memory jogging association methods to help his students learn and recall all the letters. Click to watch and learn the greek letters and their names quickly with better recall.
Practice Writing Greek Letters
Some of the greek alphabet letters are tricky to write. Practice writing them many times to get familiar with them. I took my time with this. Choosing only three or four letters when I started.
When I was comfortable with these I moved on. The more difficult and strange the letters are the more practice it takes. When you feel you've practiced writing them enough at this point learn how to pronunce the letters
Top of Greek Alphabet Lessons
How to Pronounce the Greek Letters
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