HOW TO READ GREEK

We know that the Greek language is difficult for foreigners but if you take into consideration how many Greek words there are in your own language then you realize that you already have a base to step on and start learning Greek.

Reading Greek words is a different story. Let me say that it is the easiest thing to do.  If somebody learns the Greek Alphabet, then it is sure that, he or she can read the Greek words. Let me give you an example. The first letters are Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon. When these letters are in a word, you just read the first letter (the first sound). Alpha is “a” (as in the word acrobat). Beta is “v” (not  “b”) (as in the word “vet”). Gamma is “y” (not “g”) (as in the word “yes”). Delta is “th” (not “d”) (as in the word “this”). Epsilon is “e” (as in the word “enter”). Now that we know the first five letters, let’s try to read some Greek words.

1.   Βάλε  is  Vale (notice the stress in the Greek word – it shows you where to stress)

2.   Βαλές  is Vales

3.   Άντε is Ante

4.   Αντί is Anti

5.   Έλα is Ela

These are a few examples. Now let’s see all the letters of the Greek Alphabet and later we are going to try to read as many Greek words as we can.

ALPHABET	SAY	SOUND	AS IN THE WORD	EXAMPLE & MEANING
Αα	Alpha	A	along	αν =if
Ββ	Beta	V	vase	Βολή =shot
Γγ	Gamma	Y	yellow	γερό =healthy
Δδ	Delta	Th	that	Δεν = not
Εε	Epsilon	E	example	Έλα  = come
Ζζ	Zita	Z	zoo	Ζάλη = dizziness
Ηη	Itta	I	in	Ήλιος = sun
Θθ	Thita	Th	thin	Θέση = position/space
Ιι	Yiota	I	it	Ίριδα = iris
Κκ	Kappa	K	key	Κάτι = something
Λλ	Lamda	L	lemon	Λέμε = we say
Μμ	Mi	M	melon	Μένω = I stay
Νν	Ni	N	not	Ναός = church
Ξξ	Xi	X	box	Ξένος = foreigner
Οο	Omikron	O	on	Όμορφο = pretty
Ππ	Pi	P	pen	Πίνω = I drink
Ρρ	Ro	R	rat	Ράδιο = radio
Σσς	Sigma	S	sit	Σωστός = right
Ττ	Taf	T	taxi	Τυρί = cheese
Υυ	Ipsilon	I	is	Υπό = under
Φφ	Fi	F	fox	Φωνή = voice
Χχ	hi	h	her	Χάδι = caress
Ψψ	Psi	ps	upside	Ψάρι = fish
Ωω	Omega	o	open	Ώρα = time/hour
DIPHTHONGS
ου		ou	look	Που = where
ει		i	into	Πάει = is going
αι		e	egg	Αιώνας = aeon/century
ευ		Ef, ev	Chef, every	Ευχή, Εύα = wish/Eva
αυ		af, av	Staff, aviation	Αυτό, αυλή = it, yard

Now that you know the Greek Alphabet let’s try a few phrases

1.   Καλημέρα  - Good morning.

2.   Καλησπέρα – Good evening.

3.   Καληνύχτα – Goodnight.

4.   Γεια σου. – Hello, Goodbye.

5.   Τι κάνεις; - How are you? -  What do you do? - What are you doing?

6.   Είσαι καλά; - Are you o.k?

7.   Καλά είμαι. Ευχαριστώ. – I’m fine. Thanks.

8.   Θέλεις παγωτό; - Would you like some ice-cream?

9.   Ναι, παρακαλώ. – Yes, please.

10. Πού θα πάμε απόψε; - Where shall we go tonight?

11. Πάμε για φαγητό; - Shall we go for dinner/lunch?

12. Ναι, ας πάμε σε ταβέρνα. – Yes, let’s go to a tavern.

13. Διψάω. Θέλω νερό. – I’m thirsty. I want some water.

14. Πεινάς; Θέλεις κάτι να φας; - Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?

15. Τι ωραίο φόρεμα! – What a beautiful dress!

16. Μου αρέσει η μπλούζα σου. – I like your blouse.

17. Ποιος είναι αυτός; Είναι ο αδελφός μου. – Who is this? He is my brother.

18. Ποια είναι αυτή; Είναι η αδελφή μου. – Who is this? She is my sister.

19. Σε αγαπάω πολύ. – I love you very much.

20. Και εγώ σ’ αγαπάω. – I love you too.

Don’t forget! Try reading the words and the phrases. Next time you will be in Greece you will be able: a) to read everything and b) to communicate more easily.

Με αγάπη – The Greek Team