Read your first Greek

The Greek alphabet for beginners

Use this scan-friendly guide to recognise all 24 letters. Focus on shape and a simple sound cue first; the finer details can come later.

How to use the guide

Shape first, sound second

Start by pairing each uppercase form with its lowercase form. Then use the letter name and short cue to build recognition. Several sounds need more context than a one-line guide can provide, so treat these as first-stage cues rather than a complete pronunciation system.

All 24 letters

Greek alphabet chart

The 24 letters and learner-friendly cues taught in GreekMate’s Sand stage.
Greek letterNameCueBeginner guidance
Α αálfaaa sound
Β βvítavv sound
Γ γgámasoft gsound changes before e/i
Δ δdéltathth in “this”
Ε εépsilonee sound
Ζ ζzítazz sound
Η ηítaiee sound
Θ θthítathth in “think”
Ι ιiótaiee sound
Κ κkápakk sound
Λ λlámdall sound
Μ μmimm sound
Ν νninn sound
Ξ ξksiksks sound
Ο οómikronoo sound
Π πpipp sound
Ρ ρrorrolled r sound
Σ σ ςsígmass sound; ς is final sigma
Τ τtaftt sound
Υ υípsiloniee sound
Φ φfiff sound
Χ χchisoft hsoft h-like sound
Ψ ψpsipsps sound
Ω ωomégaoo sound

Notice sigma: GreekMate’s alphabet set shows Σ σ ς. The form ς is the final sigma you see at the end of a word.

Curated from GreekMate’s approved Sand alphabet lessons; the wording preserves their learner-friendly cues.

Build recognition

A five-minute alphabet habit

  1. Choose four to six letters, not the full chart.
  2. Cover the name and try to recognise the shape.
  3. Say the learner cue once, then look for the letter in a familiar word.
  4. Mix uppercase and lowercase forms.
  5. Return to the same letters before adding more.

For example, the approved Sand word σπίτι (spíti, home) gives you a familiar place to spot sigma, pi, iota, tau, and eta.

From letters to language

Recognise the alphabet, then use it

GreekMate connects letter familiarity to words, listening, and practical beginner lessons.

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