The Greek Alphabet (Ρ–Ω) | Beginning Greek for Christians
In the two previous videos,
we introduced the first two-thirds of the Greek alphabet – letters Α–Π.
We’ll begin our final portion of the study of the Greek alphabet
with a letter than can be initially confusing to English speakers – Ρ/ρ.
The thing that can Ρ/ρ make tough to remember at first is that it looks like the English P,
especially in its capital form, but its sound corresponds to the English R (as in, “run).
However, it happens to be right after the Greek equivalent of P, Π, which you learned in part 2.
It’s not uncommon to confuse Ρ/ρ for a P sound when you’re first learning Greek.
A little bit of extra attention early on will help you associate the proper sound with this letter.
The next letter of the Greek alphabet, Σ/σ/ς, is unique in that it has three forms – capital,
lower case, and a final form. Σ/σ/ς is the same as the English S (as in,
“son”). In its capital form, it looks a bit like an E or an angular backwards 3.
You could also think of it as an M titled on its side. The lower case form looks similar to
a lower case ο, differentiated by the tail that trails off of the top to the right.
In lower case form, this letter could be easy to mistake depending on one’s handwriting.
In addition, Σ/σ/ς is the only Greek letter that possesses a final form. To an English speaker,
this form should be relatively easy to recognize, as it bears similarity to a lower case s,
with a portion dropping into the subscript. The final form of Σ/σ/ς is used exclusively at the
end of words, whereas the standard lower case form is used in the middle of words.
Here is an example from a name that you are familiar with – Ἰησοῦς (Jesus).
Note the difference in forms between the first and second sigmas.
Τ/τ is another letter that should be easy for you
to recognize – corresponding to the English T in sound (as in, “today”)
and form. The only difference between the English and Greek forms is in the lower case.
In contrast to the English form, the Greek form looks like a smaller version of the capital.
Υ/υ can be both easy and difficult depending on which form you’re looking at.
Its capital is basically the same as an English Y, while its lower case it very close an English u.
It is pronounced like an accented u – think of the sound the oo in, “oops” makes as a starting point.
As you listen to more Greek, you will develop the nuance for pronouncing this letter.
You may sometimes hear people pronounce this letter more like an English Y.
For example, the Greek word for Lord is κύριος.
The sequence of letters we’ve covered is very similar to that found in the English alphabet.
Ρ,Σ,Τ,Υ is the same as R,S,T,U in English. The next three letters, however,
are unique, having no single English equivalent:
Φ, Χ, and Ψ. Like Θ, these letters all represent sound combinations in English.
As with Π, you’re probably already familiar with Φ/φ from your math classes. The symbol is unique,
with a minor resemblance to an English q in the lower case.
Φ is the representation of the English “ph” sound (as in, “phone”). For our purposes,
you could also think of it as an F sound, as in, “family.”
Similarly to not being confused with Π and Ρ, you also want to pay attention to the difference
between Ξ and Χ. Where Ξ is closest to the sound of the English X, Χ looks like the English X.
Its sound, however, is closest to the “ch” in the Scottish word, “loch,” (as in, “Loch Ness”).
Again, for our purposes though, you can think of this letter as the “ch” in,
“ache,” or to use a more Biblical example, “Christ,” (Χριστός).
One of the famous symbols from early Christian times for Jesus is something called the ΧΡ;
a stylistic depiction of the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.
Ψ/ψ is the last letter standing for a combination of English sounds. It represents a, “ps”
sound as in, “psychology.” Both capital and lower case forms look similar to each other,
each resembling a pitch fork.
Finally, we have arrived at the end of the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet. The last letter
is one you’ll already be familiar with if you have spent time in your Bible – Ω/ω. You’ll recall that
Greek has two letters that equivocate to the English letter O. You have already studied the
first, Ο, in the previous video; Ω is the other. Made obvious by its name, Ω is the same as the
long O sound in English, as in “ok.” It’s never to be read as a short o; Ο only is read that way.
Capital Ω looks like a horseshoe, while the lower case looks similar to an English w. I recommend
paying some attention to the lower case form to properly associate the symbol with its sound.
Congratulations! You’ve now learned the entire Greek alphabet.
Practice saying all of the letters in order periodically throughout your day,
emphasizing pronunciation each time. Also practice reading them online or, if you have
a Greek New Testament, identifying them in the text, as well as writing them down yourself.
Before too long, you will develop fluid use and recognition of them all.
For a further study of Greek, I recommend “Greek 101: Learning an Ancient Language”
from The Great Courses and “Basics of Biblical Greek” by Zondervan Academic.
You will find links to both of these courses in the description.