Introductory Ancient Greek Language/Basics

The Letters

Alpha Α α

Short or long A pronounced like the English a in drama.

Beta Β β

b

Gamma Γ γ

g

When followed by γ, κ, χ, or ξ it is pronounced like /ng/.

Delta Δ δ

d

Epsilon Ε ε

Short e pronounced like the e in bed.

Zeta Ζ ζ

Commonly pronounced like z, however, it is more correctly the combination of a seperate s and d sound as in the word wisdom.

Eta Η η

Long a, e pronounced like hate.

Theta Θ θ

Often pronounced simply as /th/ however it is more correctly pronounced as pothole.

Iota Ι ι

This letter's name is pronounced as yota (not ee-ota as is common). Pronounced as short or long English i.

Kappa Κ κ

k

Lambda Λ λ

l

Mu Μ μ

m

Nu Ν ν

n

Xi Ξ ξ

ks or x

Omicron Ο ο

Short o. The name itself means little o. Mikron being the Greek word for small.

Pi Π π

p

Rho Ρ ρ

r

Sigma Σ σ,ς

s. It is written as σ when in the middle of a word, but as ς when at the end of one.

Tau Τ τ

t

Upsilon Υ υ

Long or short u.

Phi Φ φ

Commonly pronounced as /f/ as in philosopher, but is more correctly pronounced as in tophat

Chi Χ χ

The name of this letter is pronounced "kee". Pronounced as in khaki

Psi Ψ ψ

ps

Omega Ω ω

Long o. The name means big o since mega is Greek for large.