The Greek Alphabet
The Greek alphabet has 24 letters, descended from the Phoenician script. It was the first alphabet to include vowels, making it the ancestor of the Latin alphabet we use today.
Click on any letter below to hear its pronunciation and see how to write it!
The 24 Letters
Learn with Video
Watch this excellent video guide to master Greek letter pronunciation and writing!
Special Cases
Sigma (Σ/σ/ς)
Sigma has three forms:
- Σ - uppercase
- σ - lowercase (beginning/middle)
- ς - final sigma (end of word)
Example: κόσμος (cosmos)
Double Consonants
Three letters represent double sounds:
- ξ = ks (as in "fox")
- ψ = ps (as in "lips")
- ζ = zd or dz
Vowels
Greek has 7 vowels:
- Short: ε, ο
- Long: η, ω
- Can be either: α, ι, υ
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Letter Recognition
Click the name of each Greek letter shown:
Exercise 2: Transliterate These Words
Write these Greek words using English letters:
Learning Tips
🎯 Start with Familiar Letters
Many Greek letters look like English ones: Α (A), Β (B), Ε (E), Ι (I), Κ (K), Μ (M), Ν (N), Ο (O), Τ (T).
✍️ Practice Writing
Write each letter repeatedly. Muscle memory helps retention!
🔤 Learn in Groups
Group similar letters: vowels together, familiar shapes together, new shapes together.
🗣️ Say It Aloud
Pronounce each letter as you write it to connect sound with shape.
