In Greek, every word with more than one syllable has a stress mark (´) that indicates which syllable is emphasized. Stress marks are crucial for proper pronunciation, as they can change the meaning of a word. Learning to use stress marks and understanding basic pronunciation rules will greatly improve your fluency.
Stress Marks in Greek
What is a Stress Mark?
- A small accent (´) placed above a vowel to indicate the stressed syllable.
- Example: καλός (kalós) – good.
Rules for Stress Marks:
- Only one stress mark per word.
- The stress mark can only be placed on one of the last three syllables.
- In compound words, each part retains its original stress.
Examples of Stress Marks
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| καλός | ka-lós | Good |
| καλός άνθρωπος | ka-lós án-thro-pos | A good person |
| πόλη | pó-li | City |
| πολύ | po-lí | Very |
| η ώρα | i ó-ra | The hour/time |
| τώρα | tó-ra | Now |
Stress and Meaning
The position of the stress can change the meaning of a word. For example:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| πότε (póte) | When? | Question |
| ποτέ (poté) | Never | Negative |
Pronunciation Rules for Greek
Syllable Division:
- Words are divided into syllables based on vowel sounds.
- Example: καλός (ka-lós), άνθρωπος (án-thro-pos).
Long and Short Sounds:
- Greek vowels have consistent sounds. The duration of the sound does not vary as in English.
Silent Letters:
- No letters in Greek are silent; every letter is pronounced.
- Example: άγγελος (ángelos) – angel.
Blending Consonants:
- Some consonants blend naturally in Greek, such as μπ (b), ντ (d), and γκ (g/ng).
- Example: μπανάνα (banána) – banana.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Identify the Stress
Mark the stressed syllable in the following words:
- άνθρωπος
- Ελλάδα
- όμορφος
Exercise 2: Compare Meanings
Write the meanings of the following pairs of words:
- πότε vs. ποτέ
- η ώρα vs. τώρα
Exercise 3: Pronunciation Practice
Read aloud the following sentences, focusing on stress and clear pronunciation:
- Η πόλη είναι όμορφη. (The city is beautiful.)
- Τώρα είναι η ώρα. (Now is the time.)
Fun Fact
Ancient Greek used three types of accents: acute (´), grave (`), and circumflex (^). Modern Greek simplifies this with a single accent mark.