Ancient Greek: Alphabet & Pronunciation

Identify the Greek letter: Α α

Name: Alpha. Classical IPA: [a] or [aː], Modern IPA: [a]. Derivatives: Alphabet, atypical, amorphous. Prefix: alpha- (often used as a privative prefix meaning 'not' or 'without').

Identify the Greek letter: Β β

Name: Beta. Classical IPA: [b], Modern IPA: [v]. Derivatives: Biology, beta-test, metabolism. Prefix: beta- (used in science to denote the second position).

Identify the Greek letter: Γ γ

Name: Gamma. Classical IPA: [g], Modern IPA: [ɣ] or [ʝ]. Derivatives: Grammar, galaxy, geometry. Prefix: gamma- (as in gamma rays).

Identify the Greek letter: Δ δ

Name: Delta. Classical IPA: [d], Modern IPA: [ð] (like 'the'). Derivatives: Democracy, delta, dynamic. Prefix: delta- (denotes change in mathematics).

Identify the Greek letter: Ε ε

Name: Epsilon. Classical IPA: [e], Modern IPA: [e]. Derivatives: Epicenter, epsilon, epsilon-delta proof. It represents the 'short e' sound.

Identify the Greek letter: Ζ ζ

Name: Zeta. Classical IPA: [dz] or [zd], Modern IPA: [z]. Derivatives: Zeal, zodiac, protozoa. It is the sixth letter of the alphabet.

Identify the Greek letter: Η η

Name: Eta. Classical IPA: [ɛː] (long e), Modern IPA: [i]. Derivatives: Energy, ethics, helium. Despite looking like 'H', it is a vowel.

Identify the Greek letter: Θ θ

Name: Theta. Classical IPA: [tʰ] (aspirated t), Modern IPA: [θ] (as in 'thin'). Derivatives: Theology, theater, theory. Common in mathematical angles.

Identify the Greek letter: Ι ι

Name: Iota. Classical IPA: [i] or [iː], Modern IPA: [i]. Derivatives: Iodine, iota (meaning a tiny amount), ion. It is the smallest letter.

Identify the Greek letter: Κ κ

Name: Kappa. Classical IPA: [k], Modern IPA: [k]. Derivatives: Kinetic, kaleidoscope, keratin. It corresponds to the English 'K'.