Eight letters have no English look-alike, so learn them as shapes: γ (gh, or y before an e or i sound), δ (th as in 'this'), θ (th as in 'think'), λ (l), ξ (ks), φ (f), ψ (ps) and ω (o, the same sound as ο). Many live on in English words taken from Greek: theatre, photo, drama, lexicon, psychology.
Examples
- θέατρο
- theatre - θ is the th of 'think'
- φωτογραφία
- photo - φ is f, ω is o, γ is gh
- ψυχολόγος
- psychologist - ψ is ps, λ is l
The mistake to avoid
δ and θ are both 'th' in English spelling: δ is the soft th of 'this', θ the hard th of 'think'.
Where this fits in
The Greek alphabet, Greek A1: Read Greek letters and sound out your first words - many of them you already know.