Greek · 24 characters · harder for English speakers
The Greek alphabet
Greek uses 24 letters you already half-know from maths and science. Here they are with their modern Greek sounds, which differ from the ones used in science.
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Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team
Greek · lesson preview
Step 4Γεια σου
Hello
- Order
- Translate
- Listen
- Speak
Say it out loud. Green landed, yellow was close.
Start freeAt a glance
- Characters
- 24 letters (7 vowels, 17 consonants)
- Direction
- left to right
- Time to learn
- 2 to 3 days
The Greek alphabet chart with sounds
Tap the speaker on any letter to hear it, where your device has a Greek voice. Sounds are described with English comparisons, which are close but never exact: listen and repeat.
Familiar letters
- Α α
a
like a in father
- Ε ε
e
like e in bed
- Ι ι
ee
like ee in see
- Κ κ
k
like k in kit
- Μ μ
m
like m in map
- Ν ν
n
like n in no
- Ο ο
o
like o in more
- Π π
p
like p in pen
- Τ τ
t
like t in top
Look familiar, sound different
- Β β
v
like v in van
- Η η
ee
like ee in see
- Ρ ρ
r
a tapped r
- Υ υ
ee
like ee in see
- Χ χ
kh
like ch in loch
- Ζ ζ
z
like z in zoo
New shapes
- Γ γ
gh
a soft g, like a gargle (y before e and i)
- Δ δ
dh
like th in this
- Θ θ
th
like th in think
- Λ λ
l
like l in lamp
- Ξ ξ
ks
like x in box
- Σ σ ς
s
like s in sun
- Φ φ
f
like f in fun
- Ψ ψ
ps
like ps in lips
- Ω ω
o
like o in more
Things to know before you start
- Stress is marked with an accent: καφές (kafés) is stressed on the last syllable.
- Σ has a special form at the end of a word: ς.
- Two-letter combinations make single sounds, for example ου is oo and ει is ee.
- Greek has been written this way for nearly 3,000 years, with sound changes along the way.
A 5-day plan to learn Greek alphabet
Day 1: Familiar letters
Learn 9 letters: Α Ε Ι Κ Μ Ν Ο Π Τ. Say each one out loud three times, then cover the sounds and test yourself.
Day 2: Look familiar, sound different
Learn 6 letters: Β Η Ρ Υ Χ Ζ. Say each one out loud three times, then cover the sounds and test yourself.
Day 3: New shapes
Learn 9 letters: Γ Δ Θ Λ Ξ Σ Φ Ψ Ω. Say each one out loud three times, then cover the sounds and test yourself.
Day 4: Review and read
Go back over every group, then read the 8 practice words below out loud. Slow is fine.
Day 5: Say real sentences
Start Greek sentences in 4ToSpeak. Seeing letters in context is what makes them stick.
Fifteen to twenty minutes a day is enough. Skip a day and pick up where you stopped.
Your first Greek words to read
You can already read these. Read each one aloud, then check the sound and meaning.
| Sound and meaning | Greek |
|---|---|
| kafés · coffee | καφές |
| nai · yes | ναι |
| ochi · no | όχι |
| mamá · mom | μαμά |
| taxí · taxi | ταξί |
| soúpa · soup | σούπα |
| efcharistó · thank you | ευχαριστώ |
| yia sou · hello | γεια σου |
How many characters are in Greek alphabet?
24 letters (7 vowels, 17 consonants).
How long does it take to learn Greek alphabet?
Most learners can recognise the basic set in 2 to 3 days with a little practice every day. Fast, fluent reading comes from reading real words, not from the chart alone.
Do I need to learn the alphabet before I start speaking Greek?
No. You can start speaking Greek first and pick up the letters as you go. Hearing a sentence while you see it written makes both easier, so learning the letters in parallel is the quickest route.
What is the best way to practise Greek alphabet?
Short daily sessions beat long ones. Say each letter aloud, read real words as soon as you know ten or so letters, and practise with audio so each shape has a sound. 4ToSpeak shows every Greek sentence in the script and has you say it aloud.
Related guides
More on learning Greek
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Now read Greek out loud
You know the letters. Start with a Greek sentence, see it written and say it. Free, no card.