Greek Alphabet - Learn Biblical Greek

Welcome to Biblical Greek!

The Greek alphabet has 24 letters. Many are similar to English letters, making them easy to learn. The New Testament was written in Koine (common) Greek, and learning these letters opens up the original words of Scripture.

Diphthongs (Two Vowels Combined)

αι

like aisle

ει

like eight

οι

like oil

υι

like wee

αυ

like ow in cow

ευ

like eu in feud

ου

like oo in food

ηυ

like eh-oo

Pronunciation Guide

Vowels (φωνήεντα)

Greek has 7 vowels. Alpha, iota, and upsilon can be either short or long.

α Alpha — like "a" in father

ε Epsilon — like "e" in pet (short)

η Eta — like "a" in fate (long)

ι Iota — like "i" in machine

ο Omicron — like "o" in not (short)

υ Upsilon — like "u" in French "tu"

ω Omega — like "o" in tone (long)

Consonants Similar to English

β Beta — like "b" in boy

δ Delta — like "d" in dog

κ Kappa — like "k" in king

λ Lambda — like "l" in love

μ Mu — like "m" in mother

ν Nu — like "n" in night

π Pi — like "p" in pen

ρ Rho — like "r" in run (rolled)

σ/ς Sigma — like "s" in sun

τ Tau — like "t" in top

ζ Zeta — like "z" in zoo

Consonants Different from English

γ Gamma — like "g" in go (hard g)

θ Theta — like "th" in think

ξ Xi — like "x" in box

φ Phi — like "ph" in phone

χ Chi — like "ch" in Bach (guttural)

ψ Psi — like "ps" in lips

💡 Pronunciation Tips

Gamma (γ) before another gamma, kappa, chi, or xi sounds like "ng" — e.g., ἄγγελος (angelos)
Final sigma (ς) is only used at the end of a word
Breathing marks: Words starting with a vowel have either smooth (᾽) or rough (῾) breathing. Rough breathing adds an "h" sound.
Accents indicate stress: acute (´), grave (`), circumflex (῀)

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What is the name of this letter?

α

📝 Practice Tips

Start with "Letter → Name" to learn recognition
Progress to "Name → Letter" for recall practice
The "Word Reading" exercise uses real NT vocabulary!
Aim for 90% accuracy before moving to the next exercise type

Common New Testament Words

Learn essential Greek vocabulary from the Textus Receptus. These words appear frequently throughout the New Testament. Click a word to hear its pronunciation (coming soon).

Read the New Testament in Greek!

Practice reading actual verses from the Textus Receptus. Hover over words to see their meanings. Start with John 1:1 — one of the most famous verses in Scripture.

John 1:1 Ἰωάννης 1:1

ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.

En archē ēn ho logos, kai ho logos ēn pros ton theon, kai theos ēn ho logos.

Translation: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 3:16 Ἰωάννης 3:16

οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ᾽ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

Houtōs gar ēgapēsen ho theos ton kosmon, hōste ton huion ton monogenē edōken, hina pas ho pisteuōn eis auton mē apolētai all' echē zōēn aiōnion.

Translation: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Matthew 1:1 Ματθαῖος 1:1

βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ υἱοῦ Δαβὶδ υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ.

Biblos geneseōs Iēsou Christou huiou Dabid huiou Abraam.

Translation: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Romans 8:28 Ρωμαίους 8:28

οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν τὸν θεὸν πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν.

Oidamen de hoti tois agapōsin ton theon panta synergei eis agathon.

Translation: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.