How to Learn to Write in the Greek Language

Written by Greek Boston in Learn How to Speak Basic Greek Comments Off on How to Learn to Write in the Greek Language

It’s true that there are certain skills that you need to learn in order to get proficient at the Greek language. These include the skills or listening, reading, speaking, and writing. In order to be comfortable in the language, individuals need to at least be able to function in all four of these.

In a previous article, we discussed the ins and outs of the Greek alphabet, which is completely different than the one that we have in the English language. However, the skill of being able to identify the Greek letters and read the words and sentences is only the first step. In order to really be comfortable in the language, you should be able to write the letters out yourselves. Here is some advice on how to do that:

Know the Different Types of Writing

Just as there are two basic writing systems in the English language, there are also two in Greek. The Greek language also has a script version and a print version of the language. Because it is much easier, it is better to learn the print version. Most people don’t seem to write using the script version and it also takes a lot longer to learn. Also, since the print version of the language is more common, it will increase your language skills even further.

Tips for Learning to Write the Greek Letters

The easiest way to learn how to write is to simply copy what you see. Use lined paper so that you can learn how to visualize how much space each letter talks. Write out each letter slowly and as deliberately as possible so that the letter is formed correctly. Consider writing each letter out at least five times in a row so that you can get comfortable. When you learn new vocabulary words, be sure to write out the word by hand so you can become more familiar with writing in Greek.

This is exactly how you should make your own Greek letters look! Here are the letters:

• Α α, άλφα, alpha
• Β β, βήτα, veta
• Γ γ, γάμα, gamma
• Δ δ, δέλτα, delta
• Ε ε, έψιλον, epselon
• Ζ ζ, ζήτα, zeta
• Η η, ήτα, eeta
• Θ θ, θήτα, theta
• Ι ι, γιώτα, yota
• Κ κ, κάπα, kappa
• Λ λ, λάμδα, lamtha
• Μ μ, μι, mee
• Ν ν, νι, nee
• Ξ ξ,, ξι, xee
• Ο ο, όμικρον, omekron
• Π π, πι, pe
• Ρ ρ, ρο, ro
• Σ σ/ς, σίγμα, segma
• Τ τ, ταυ, taf or tau
• Υ υ, ύψιλον, eepsilon
• Φ φ, φι, fee
• Χ χ, χι, hee
• Ψ ψ, ψι, psee
• Ω ω, ωμέγα, omega

Another item to consider while learning how to write Greek is that there are two versions of the letters – the lower case and the capital letters. In the case of some letters, the two look different. You should learn both of these versions.

The Learn Greek section on GreekBoston.com was written by Greeks to help people understand the conversational basics of the Greek language. This article is not a substitute for a professional Greek learning program, but a helpful resource for people wanting to learn simple communication in Greek.

Categorized in: Learn How to Speak Basic Greek

This post was written by Greek Boston