The Alphabet and Greek Reading
The Greek Alphabet
| Min. | Maj. | Name | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| α | Α | Alpha | a |
| β | Β | Beta | b |
| γ | Γ | Gamma | g |
| δ | Δ | Delta | d |
| ε | Ε | Epsilon | e (as in “bed”) |
| ζ | Ζ | Zeta | dz |
| η | Η | Eta | e (as in “they”) |
| θ | Θ | Theta | th |
| ι | Ι | Iota | i |
| κ | Κ | Kappa | k |
| λ | Λ | Lambda | l |
| μ | Μ | Mu | m |
| ν | Ν | Nu | n |
| ξ | Ξ | Xi | ks |
| ο | Ο | Omicron | o (as in “thought”) |
| π | Π | Pi | p |
| ρ | Ρ | Rho | r |
| σ / ς | Σ | Sigma | s |
| τ | Τ | Tau | t |
| υ | Υ | Upsilon | u (German “ü”) |
| φ | Φ | Phi | f |
| χ | Χ | Chi | ch |
| ψ | Ψ | Psi | ps |
| ω | Ω | Omega | o (as in “not”) |
1. The Sigma has two forms: σ is used at the beginning/middle (σωτήρ, βασιλεία) and ς at the end (ἄνθρωπος).
2. Before gutturals (κ γ χ), the γ sounds like an “n”. Ex: ἄγγελος (angelos).
3. The diphthong ου sounds like “u”. Ex: δοῦλος (doulos).
Vowels
The Greek vowels are: α, ε, η, ι, ο, υ, ω. Of these, two are considered short (ε, ο) and two are long (η, ω). This classification will be important for identifying verb tenses and moods.
Diphthongs and Hiati
Diphthong: combination of two vowels into a single syllable. They have ι or υ as the second vowel: αι, ει, οι, υι, αυ, ευ, ηυ, ου.
Hiatus: meeting of two vowels in different syllables.
Syllables
Simply count the number of vowels or diphthongs:
• ἀπόστολος: 4 syllables (ἀ-πό-στο-λος)
• αὐτοί: 2 syllables (αὐ-τοί)
• ἑορτή: 3 syllables (ἑ-ορ-τή)
Breathing Marks (Spirits)
The sign ( ‘ ) over an initial vowel/diphthong indicates a Rough Breathing ('h' sound). Ex: ἅγιος (hagios). The sign ( ’ ) is the Smooth Breathing and does not alter the sound. Ex: ἄνθρωπος (anthropos).
Note: Initial ρ (rho) always takes a rough breathing.
Classification of Consonants
| Class | Consonants |
|---|---|
| Gutturals | γ κ χ |
| Labials | β π φ |
| Dentals | δ τ θ |
| Liquids | λ μ ν ρ |
| Double | ξ ψ |
Accents and Punctuation
Acute ( ́ ): stressed syllable on any of the last 3.
Circumflex ( ~ ): on the last 2 syllables (long only).
Grave ( ` ): only on the last syllable, replaces the acute when followed by another word. Ex: ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλὸς.
Punctuation: The comma ( , ) and period ( . ) are the same. The semicolon ( ; ) is the question mark. The raised dot ( ˙ ) is equivalent to our colon.
Vocabulary to Memorize
Vocabulário do Capítulo
- ἀκούω: I hear, I listen
- γινώskω: I know, I understand
- ἔχω: I have
- λέγω: I say, I speak
- πιστεύω: I believe
Ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν
(God is love — 1 John 4:16)