Greek has seven vowels: α, ε, η, ι, ο, υ, ω. Each vowel has a stable and distinct pronunciation. Mastering vowels is crucial as they form the foundation of word and sentence construction.
Greek Vowels Chart
| Vowel | Name | Pronunciation | Example Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| α | Alpha | a as in “father” | αγάπη (agápi) | Love |
| ε | Epsilon | e as in “bed” | ελπίδα (elpída) | Hope |
| η | Eta | i as in “machine” | ηλιος (ílios) | Sun |
| ι | Iota | i as in “machine” | ιδέα (idéa) | Idea |
| ο | Omicron | o as in “not” | όμορφος (ómorfos) | Beautiful |
| υ | Upsilon | ee as in “see” | ύψος (ýpsos) | Height |
| ω | Omega | o as in “go” | ωραίο (oréo) | Nice |
Key Features of Greek Vowels
- Consistency: Greek vowels maintain a stable sound regardless of their position in a word.
- Length and Clarity: Greek does not differentiate between short and long vowels as English does.
- Simple Pronunciation: Each vowel corresponds to one sound, simplifying the learning process.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Recognizing Vowels
Identify the vowels in the following Greek words:
- Ελλάδα (Elláda) – Greece
- άνθρωπος (ánthropos) – Human
- ζωή (zoí) – Life
Exercise 2: Pronouncing Words
Practice pronouncing the following words by emphasizing their vowels:
- Αγάπη (Agápi) – Love
- Έλληνας (Éllinas) – Greek person
- Ήλιος (Ílios) – Sun
Exercise 3: Listening Practice
Listen to native speakers and focus on how they pronounce vowels. Write down what you hear and compare your pronunciation.
Fun Fact
Greek vowels often pair with consonants to create diphthongs (double vowel sounds), which we will explore in the next lesson.