Greek Alphabet and Pronunciation Guide for English Speakers

Introduction to the Greek Alphabet

The Greek alphabet is the script used to write the Greek language. It has been in use since the 8th century BC and is the ancestor of many modern alphabets, including the Latin alphabet used in English. Learning the Greek alphabet is essential for reading, writing, and pronouncing Greek correctly.

The Greek Alphabet Letters and Their English Equivalents

The Greek alphabet consists of 24 letters. Below is a list of each letter with its name, uppercase and lowercase forms, and the closest English equivalent sound.

• Α α (Alpha) - sounds like 'a' in 'father'
• Β β (Beta) - sounds like 'v' in 'voice'
• Γ γ (Gamma) - sounds like 'g' in 'go' before back vowels, 'y' in 'yes' before front vowels
• Δ δ (Delta) - sounds like 'th' in 'this'
• Ε ε (Epsilon) - sounds like 'e' in 'met'
• Ζ ζ (Zeta) - sounds like 'z' in 'maze'
• Η η (Eta) - sounds like 'ee' in 'see'
• Θ θ (Theta) - sounds like 'th' in 'think'
• Ι ι (Iota) - sounds like 'i' in 'machine' or 'bit' depending on context
• Κ κ (Kappa) - sounds like 'k' in 'kite'
• Λ λ (Lambda) - sounds like 'l' in 'love'
• Μ μ (Mu) - sounds like 'm' in 'mother'
• Ν ν (Nu) - sounds like 'n' in 'nice'
• Ξ ξ (Xi) - sounds like 'x' in 'box'
• Ο ο (Omicron) - sounds like 'o' in 'not'
• Π π (Pi) - sounds like 'p' in 'spin'
• Ρ ρ (Rho) - sounds like a trilled or tapped 'r'
• Σ σ/ς (Sigma) - sounds like 's' in 'see'
• Τ τ (Tau) - sounds like 't' in 'stop'
• Υ υ (Upsilon) - sounds like 'ee' in 'see' or French 'u'
• Φ φ (Phi) - sounds like 'f' in 'fun'
• Χ χ (Chi) - sounds like 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'
• Ψ ψ (Psi) - sounds like 'ps' in 'lapse'
• Ω ω (Omega) - sounds like 'o' in 'told'

Pronunciation Tips for English Speakers

Greek pronunciation has some sounds that are similar to English, but also some that are quite different. Here are some tips to help English speakers pronounce Greek letters and words more accurately.

• The letter Beta (Β β) is pronounced like 'v', not 'b'.
• Delta (Δ δ) sounds like the 'th' in 'this', not like 'd'.
• Theta (Θ θ) is pronounced like the 'th' in 'think', a voiceless sound.
• Gamma (Γ γ) before front vowels (ε, ι) sounds like 'y' in 'yes'.
• Rho (Ρ ρ) is rolled or tapped, similar to Spanish 'r'.
• Chi (Χ χ) is a guttural sound, like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'.
• Upsilon (Υ υ) can sound like 'ee' or the French 'u', depending on the word.

Common Greek Words and Their Pronunciations