Greek pronunciation follows consistent and straightforward rules. Understanding these rules will help you confidently read and speak Greek. This lesson focuses on the most common pronunciation rules, including letter combinations, stress patterns, and intonation.

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Pronunciation Rules

1. Consistency in Sounds

   • Each Greek letter or combination of letters has a single, fixed pronunciation.
   • Example: The letter β is always pronounced as “v” (βιβλίο – vivlío, book).

2. Stress Marks

   • Words with more than one syllable include a stress mark (´) above a vowel.
   • Example: καλός (kalós, good) vs. καλό (kaló, good – neuter form).

3. Syllable Division

   • Words are divided into syllables based on vowel sounds. Each syllable contains one vowel or diphthong.
   • Example: κα-λη-μέ-ρα (kaliméra, good morning).

4. Letter Combinations
   Some letters combine to produce unique sounds:

   • μπ: Pronounced as “b” at the start of words and “mb” within words (e.g., μπανάνα – banána, banana).
   • ντ: Pronounced as “d” at the start of words and “nd” within words (e.g., ντομάτα – domáta, tomato).
   • γκ: Pronounced as “g” at the start of words and “ng” within words (e.g., γκρίζο – grízo, grey).
   • τσ: Pronounced as “ts” (e.g., τσάι – tsái, tea).
   • τζ: Pronounced as “dz” (e.g., τζάμι – dzámi, glass).

5. Diphthongs

   • A diphthong is a combination of two vowels that produce a single sound.
   • Example: αι (e as in “bed”), ει and οι (i as in “machine”), ου (oo as in “food”).

6. Silent Letters

   • Greek has no silent letters. Every letter is pronounced.
   • Example: άγγελος (ángelos, angel) – both γ are pronounced as “ng.”

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Misplacing Stress Marks
   Placing stress on the wrong syllable can change the meaning of a word.

   • Example: πόλη (póli, city) vs. πολύ (polí, very).

2. Confusing Letter Combinations
   Practice distinguishing similar sounds, such as μπ (b) and ντ (d).

3. Ignoring Diphthongs
   Ensure that diphthongs are pronounced as single sounds (e.g., ευ as “ef” or “ev”).

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Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the Rule

Read the following words and identify the pronunciation rules being applied:

• γάλα (gála, milk)
• μπλε (ble, blue)
• δέντρο (déntro, tree)

Exercise 2: Syllable Division

Divide the following words into syllables and mark the stress:

• καλημέρα (kaliméra, good morning)
• οικογένεια (ikoyénia, family)
• Ευρώπη (Evrópi, Europe)

Exercise 3: Listening and Speaking

Listen to native Greek speakers pronounce these words and repeat after them:

• φίλος (fílos, friend)
• χαρά (chará, joy)
• ψωμί (psomí, bread)

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Fun Fact

Greek words are often pronounced exactly as they are written, making it easier to master reading and pronunciation compared to languages with irregular spelling, like English.