LEARN TO READ GREEK FROM ALPHA TO OMEGA

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 LEARN TO READ GREEK FROM ALPHA TO OMEGA

Here at The Greek Chain, we are passionate and excited to help you learn how to speak,
write and understand Greek the fun and easy way.

Copyright @ 2021 | The Greek Chain | All rights reserved.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its
accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

All material from The Greek Chain is provided for general information only and may not be
construed as personal advice or instruction. The information and opinions provided are believed
to be accurate and sound. The founder and the teachers are not responsible for any errors nor
any personal financial risk.
The Greek Chain is brought to you by Timon and MATI Enterprise (Pty) ltd
Registered in South Africa
Company No. 2017/320981/07.

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– Contents –

Introduction – Εισαγωγή
Accents – Τόνοι
Diaeresis – Διαλυτικά
Punctuation marks – Σημεία στίξης
The Greek Alphabet – Το Ελληνικό Αλφάβητο
The Vowels – Τα Φωνήεντα
The Consonants – Τα Σύμφωνα
The Diphthongs – Οι Δίφθογγοι
The Double Consonants – Τα Διπλά Σύμφωνα
Examples – Παραδείγματα
Let’s write in Greek – Ας γράψουμε στα ελληνικά
Final Words – Επίλογος

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Introduction – Εισαγωγή

Dear excited Greek learner,

Thank you for downloading our new book called:
“Learn to Read Greek:
From Alpha to Omega”.
Greek is a beautiful language to speak and listen to.
Its rich history and development, extend to more than 4,000 years.
And right now, you have the opportunity to learn how to read and write
through this quick e-book.
In this illustrated book you’ll find, with the help of two highly qualified and
certified Greek native teachers, a guide on how to read and write Greek
the fun and easy way…
“Let’s grow our Greek chain together”

Timon Rossolimos
Founder, The Greek Chain

CONNECT WITH US

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 LEARN TO READ GREEK FROM ALPHA TO OMEGA

Accents – Τόνοι (tO-nee)

In Greek there is a common punctuation mark which looks a lot like an

apostrophe ( ΄ ).
It is called a Tόνοs – tO-nos (think TONE).
A tono or accent is used to emphasize a sound (with extra loudness) on a
stressed syllable.
Think of the word: ‘telephone’.
We accentuate the first vowel:
tE-le-phone
If we accentuated the second vowel, we’d say:
te-lE-phone
And if we stressed the accent on the third vowel?
Te-le-phOne
Fortunately, with Greek we can see where to stress the vowel sound with
the tono… And this helps a lot when it comes to learning to read, speak
and pronounce different words.
In fact, you’ll find with any Greek word with two or more syllables; it will
always have a tono (accent) on one or more of the vowels.

One syllable words, rarely have the tono, but there are a few
exceptions…

E.g. πώς – pOs – How?

You’ll seldom see accents written in upper case. For example, you’ll see
an accent on the first letter of the Greek word which only starts with a
capital letter.

E.g. ΕΞΟΔΟΣ or Έξοδος – E-kso-thos – Exit

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Diaeresis – Διαλυτικά (thee-a-lee-tee-kA)

The second accent we place on Greek words is called the Διαλυτικά -

Dialytics or diaeresis or Umlaut.
These are words with the double dots on a vowel.
ϊ, ϋ, ΐ, ΰ
This is where two vowels are next to each other, but are not stressed.
A diaresis (΄΄) is used to indicate, they need to be pronounced
separately.

E.g. Λαϊκός – lA-EE-kOs (common / folk)

μαϊμού – mA-EE-mOO (monkey)

Punctuation marks - Σημεία στίξης (see-mEE-a stEE-ksEES)

Punctuation marks in Greek are the same as those in English, with three
exceptions:
The question mark ( ? ) is marked as a semi-colon ( ; )
The semi-colon ( ; ) is noted as a raised dot ( · )
Quotation marks ( “ ” ) are marked as («»)

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The Greek Alphabet

Το Ελληνικό Αλφάβητο

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The Greek alphabet has 24 letters, 7 vowels and 17 consonants.

6 of the letters (Green) look and sound a lot like the English letters.
Here’s the full table with the Greek alphabet…

The Greek Alphabet - Το Ελληνικό Αλφάβητο

(tO e-lee-nee-kO al-fA-vee-to)

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The Vowels
Τα φωνήεντα

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Here’s a reminder of what a vowel is.

According to phoneticians, a vowel is a letter that represents the sound
without any stricture (constriction) in the vocal tract.
In other words, it’s a speech sound that you make, with your mouth fairly
open.
In English we have five vowels (a, e, i, o, u). And in Greek there are 7
vowels, but only 4 vowel sounds in Greek.
Here is the full table of Greek vowels with examples…

The Vowels – Τα Φωνήεντα

(tA fo-nEE-en-da)

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The Consonants
Τα Σύμφωνα

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A consonant is a letter that represents a speech sound that is articulated

with a partial or complete closure of the vocal tract.
It is all the sounds of the alphabet, that is not a vowel.
In English we have 21 consonants (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t,
v, w, x, z, and usually y).
And in Greek there are 17 consonants.
Here is the full table of Greek consonants with examples…

The Consonants – Τα Σύμφωνα

(tA sEEm-fo-na)

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The Diphthongs
Οι Δίφθογγοι

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A diphthong (gliding vowel) is a Greek word that means:

di- ‘twice’ + phthongos ‘voice, sound’.
It is a one syllable sound made by combining two vowels together
(∆ίψηφα φωνήεντα – thEE-psee-fa fo-nEE-en-ta – double vowels..
In English we have 8 diphthongs. Here’s how they sound.
(eɪ - Ay), (aɪ - Eye), (əʊ - Oh), (aʊ - Ow), (ɔɪ - Oy), (ɪə - Ear), (eə - Air)
and (ʊa – Poor).
In modern Greek there are mainly 6 diphthongs.
NOTE: You might encounter other diphthongs, but below you’ll find the
major ones which you’ll need for a start.
Here is a table of Greek diphthongs with examples…

The Diphthongs – Οι Δίφθογγοι

(EE thEEf-tho-gee)

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The Double Consonants

Τα Διπλά Σύμφωνα

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A combined consonant is one syllable sound made by combining two or

more consonants together.
In English we have over 30 different consonant combinations.
In modern Greek there are also a ton… But For these purposes we’ll
highlight 16 of some of the most common ones…
Here is a table of Greek consonant combinations with examples…

The Double Consonants – Τα Διπλά Σύμφωνα

(tA thee-plA sEEm-fo-na)

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You have the tools you need to read Greek.

We have compiled examples of sentences, from the grammar we’ve
learnt today, which you can practise reading out loud.
This includes:
Vowels, Consonants, Diphthongs and Combined Consonants…
Go through each one slowly before we head over to the writing section of
the book.

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Examples
Παραδείγματα

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Vowel Examples

A, α

I like riding my bicycle.

Μου αρέσει να κάνω ποδήλατo.
(Moo a-rE-see nA kA-no po-thEE-la-to).

Ε, ε

Helen, come closer to me.

Ελένη, έλα πιο κοντά μου.
(e-lE-nee, E-la pYO kon-tA mOO).

Η, η

Irene is my best friend.

Η Ειρήνη είναι η καλύτερή μου φίλη.
(EE ee-rEE-nee EE-ne EE ka-lEE-te-rEE mOU fEE-lee).

Ι, ι

The lemon is yellow.

Το λεμόνι είναι κίτρινο.
(tO le-mO-nEE EE-ne kEE-tree-no).

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Ο, ο

Our teacher is very nice.

O δάσκαλός μας είναι πολύ καλός.
(O thAs-ka-lOs mas EE-na po-lEE ka-lOs).

Υ, υ

The solution of the problem was difficult.

Η λύση του προβλήματος ήταν δύσκολη.
(EE lEE-see tOO pro-vlEE-ma-tos EE-tan thEE-sko-lee).

Ω, ω

I feel very well.

Νιώθω πολύ ωραία.
(niO-tho po-lEE o-rA-ya).

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Diphthong Examples

AΙ, αι

Τhe child is sleeping.

Το παιδί κοιμάται.
(tO pe-thEE kee-mA-te).

ΕΙ, ει

He said that he is near there.

Είπε ότι είναι εκεί κοντά.
(EE-pe O-tee EE-ne e-kEE kon-tA).

ΟΙ, οι

The young students are clever.

Οι νέοι φοιτητές είναι έξυπνοι.
(EE nE-ee fee-tee-tEs EE-ne E-kseep-nee).

ΑΥ, αυ

The yard has one small ditch.

Η αυλή έχει ένα αυλάκι.
(EE av-lEE E-chee E-na av-lA-kee).

These sailors are from far away.

Αυτοί οι ναύτες είναι από πολύ μακριά.
(af-tEE EE nAf-tes EE-ne po-lEE ma-kree-A).

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ΕΥ, ευ

Your wish pleased me a lot.

Η ευχή σου με ευχαρίστησε πολύ.
(EE ef-chEE sOO mE ef-cha-rEE-stee-se po-lEE).

The Euro is the currency of Europe.

Το Ευρώ είναι το νόμισμα της Ευρώπης.
(tO ev-rO EE-ne tO nO-mees-ma tEEs ev-rO-pees).

ΟΥ, ου

Where did you have a rich meal?

Πού έφαγες ένα πλούσιο γεύμα;
(pOO Ef-a-ges E-na plOO-see-o gEv-ma?).

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Consonants Examples

Β, β

I wish you a quiet evening.

Σου εύχομαι ένα ήσυχο βράδυ.
(sOO EF-cho-me E-na EE-see-cho vrA-thee).

Γ, γ

The cat is drinking milk.

Η γάτα πίνει γάλα.
(EE gA-ta pEE-nee gA-la).

Δ, δ

The tree has got no leaves.

Το δέντρο δεν έχει φύλλα.
(tO then-dro thEn E-chee fEE-la).

Ζ, ζ

Life is beautiful.
Η ζωή είναι ωραία.
(EE zo-EE EE-ne o-rAY-a).

Θ, θ

The theatre has theatrical performances.

Το θέατρο έχει θεατρικές παραστάσεις.
(tO thE-a-tro E-chee the-a-tree-kEs pa-ra-stA-sees).

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Κ, κ

The good friend is near you.

Ο καλός φίλος είναι κοντά σου.
(O ka-lOs fEE-los EE-ne kon-tA sOO).

Λ, λ

The lamp has a dim (low) light.

Η λάμπα έχει χαμηλό φως.
(EE lAm-ba E-chee cha-mee-lO fOs).

Μ, μ

My eye is bothering me.

Το μάτι μου με ενοχλεί .
(tO mA-tee mOO mE e-no-chlEE).

Ν, ν

I want to drink a jug of water.

Θέλω να πιω μια κανάτα νερό.
(thE-lo nA pYO mEE-a ka-nA-ta ne-rO).

Ξ, ξ

The table is made of wood, it is wooden.

Το τραπέζι είναι από ξύλο, είναι ξύλινο.
(tO tra-pE-zee EE-ne a-pO ksEE-lo, EE-ne ksEE-lee-no).

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Π, π

Your kid is very good.

Το παιδί σου είναι πολύ φρόνιμο.
(tO pe-thEE sOO EE-ne po-lEE frO-nee-mo).

Ρ, ρ

The rice pudding has rice and milk.

Το ρυζόγαλο έχει ρύζι και γάλα.
(tO ree-zO-ga-lo E-chee rEE-zee kE gA-la).

Σ, σ, ς

I exercise to have a nice body.

Γυμνάζομαι για να έχω ένα ωραίο σώμα.
(geem-nA-zo-me yA nA E-cho E-na o-rAy-o sO-ma).

Τ, τ

The taxi just arrived.

Το ταξί μόλις έφτασε.
(tO ta-ksEE mO-lees Ef-ta-se).

Φ, φ

The fire lights the room.

Η φωτιά φωτίζει το δωμάτιο.
(EE fo-tYA fo-TEE-zee tO tho-mA-tee-o).

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Χ, χ

I used this colour on the wall.

Χρησιμοποίησα αυτό το χρώμα στον τοίχο.
(chree-see-mo-pEE-ee-sa af-tO tO chrO-ma stOn tEE-cho).

Ψ, ψ

The fisherman goes to fish.

Ο ψαράς πηγαίνει να ψαρέψει.
(O psa-rAs pee-gE-nee nA psa-re-psee).

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Combined Consonants Examples

ΒΒ, ββ

My parents will visit me on Saturday.

Οι γονείς μου θα με επισκεφτούν το Σάββατο.
(EE go-nEEs mOO thA mE e-pee-skef-tOOn tO sA-va-to).

ΓΓ, γγ

Cucumber and tomato make a cucumber-tomato salad.

Αγγούρι και ντομάτα κάνουν μια αγγουροντοματοσαλάτα.
(a-gOO-ree kE do-mA-ta kA-noon mEE-a a-goo-ro-do-ma-to-sa-lA-ta).

ΓΚ, γκ

The cliff is very dangerous.

Ο γκρεμός είναι πολύ επικίνδυνος.
(O gre-mOs EE-ne po-lEE e-pee-kEEn-thee-nos).

ΓΧ, γχ

Stress is a negative factor.

Το άγχος είναι αρνητικός παράγοντας.
(tO An-chos EE-ne ar-nee-tee-kOs pa-rA-gon-das).

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ΚΚ, κκ

The colour red is the colour of passion and energy.

Το κόκκινο χρώμα συμβολίζει πάθος και ενέργεια.
(tO kO-kee-no chrO-ma seem-vo-lEE-zee pA-thos kE en-Er-gee-a).

ΜΜ, μμ

The onion makes me cry.

Το κρεμμύδι με κάνει και κλαίω.
(tO kre-mEE-thee mE kA-nee kE klE-o).

ΜΒ, μπ

I drank a bottle of wine.

Ήπια ένα μπουκάλι κρασί.
(EE-pya E-na boo-kA-lee kra-sEE).

The lamp is lighting the room.

Η λάμπα φωτίζει το δωμάτιο.
(EE lAm-ba fo-tEE-zee tO tho-mA-tee-o).

ΝΝ, νν

On Christmas, we celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Τα Χριστούγεννα γιορτάζουμε τη γέννηση του Ιησού.
(tA chree-stOO-ge-na yior-tA-zoo-me tEE gE-nee-see tOO ee-sOO).

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ΝΤ, ντ

I ate one tomato and five pieces of cucumber.

Έφαγα μια ντομάτα και πέντε κομμάτια αγγουράκι.
(E-fa-ga mEE-a do-mA-ta kE pEn-de ko-mA-tya a-goo-rA-kee).

ΝΤΖ, ντζ

Ginger in Greek is called piperoriza. (root of pepper)

Το τζίντζερ στα Ελληνικά λέγεται πιπερόριζα.
(tO tzEEn-tzer stA e-lee-nee-kA lE-ge-te pee-pe-rO-ree-za).

ΠΠ, ππ

Μy grandfather read a fairy tale about a knight.

Ο παππούς μού διάβασε ένα παραμύθι για έναν ιππότη.
(O pa-pOOs mOO thee-A-va-se E-na pa-ra-mEE-thee yA E-nan ee-pO-
tee).

ΡΡ, ρρ

The words courage and sickness have two r’s.

Οι λέξεις θάρρος και αρρώστια έχουν δυο ρ.
(EE LE-ksees thA-ros kE a-rO-stya E-choon thEE-o r).

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ΣΛ, σλ

New employees were hired.

Έγινε πρόσληψη νέων υπαλλήλων.
(E-gee-ne prOs-lee-psee nE-on ee-pa-lEE-lon).

ΣΣ, σσ

Sour cherry and the sea have two s’s.

Το βύσσινο και η θάλασσα έχουν δυο σ.
(tO vEE-see-no kE EE thA-la-sa E-choon thEE-o s).

ΤΣ, τσ

Pizza is very delicious.

Η πίτσα είναι πολύ νόστιμη.
(EE pEE-tsa EE-ne po-lEE nO-stee-mee).

ΤΖ, τζ

The fireplace heats the room.

Το τζάκι ζεσταίνει το δωμάτιο.
(tO tzA-kee ze-stE-nee tO tho-mA-tee-o).

ARE YOU READY TO WRITE IN GREEK?

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Let’s write in Greek

Ας γράψουμε στα ελληνικά

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Final words - Επίλογος

This is the only the beginning of learning Greek. We do plan to write
more of these free guides as we go through the live Learn Greek events
via Zoom.

I’d like to thank our two incredible teachers for helping with this guide, as
well as you for taking the time and effort to go through it…

I trust that this will help you level up your Greek reading and writing skills.

“Let’s grow our Greek Chain together”

Timon Rossolimos
Founder, The Greek Chain

PS: If you enjoyed this book, I’d love to hear your thoughts by e-mailing
[email protected] or click the link in our
 The Greek Chain Facebook Group (est. 2015)

WHAT’S NEXT?

If you’re one of the few people who are now looking to improve
their Greek and go that extra mile – we have just the thing for
you.
On Saturday’s we host weekly LIVE Learn Greek events on
Zoom.
These are once-off LIVE online events run by highly
certified and qualified native Greek teachers, for anyone
who wants to level up their Greek speaking, understanding,
writing and listening skills.
You can read more about the next event by going here…

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ABOUT THE TEACHERS
ABOUT:
Online Hellenic Lessons

Online Hellenic Lessons have highly qualified and certified Greek native
teachers who offer every level of Greek language learning over the past decade.
Their community has reached over 5,000 followers on different social media
channels and students world-wide through both innovative, interactive content
and teaching methods.
Τα Online Hellenic Lessons έχουν υψηλά καταρτισμένους και
πιστοποιημένους Έλληνες εκπαιδευτικούς, οι οποίοι προσφέρουν την εκμάθηση
της ελληνικής γλώσσας σε κάθε επίπεδο, την τελευταία δεκαετία. Η κοινότητά
των Online Hellenic Lessons έχει προσεγγίσει πάνω από 5.000 followers στα
κοινωνικά δίκτυα και μαθητές σε όλο τον κόσμο μέσω καινοτόμων και
διαδραστικών μεθόδων διδασκαλίας.
CONNECT WITH THEM

ABOUT

Ally born in Greece and having qualifications from finance, economics,

languages and teaching – from both Damelin college and Kapodistrio University
Of Athens – she continues to share her knowledge and high energy social
methods to not only 540 students but also through popular weekly live events
reaching people world-wide.
Η Ally, γεννημένη στην Ελλάδα, με σπουδές στα χρηματοοικονομικά, οικονομικά,
στις γλώσσες και στη διδασκαλία - τόσο από το κολέγιο Damelin όσο και από το
Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών - συνεχίζει να μοιράζεται τις γνώσεις της και
τις υψηλά ενεργειακές κοινωνικές μεθόδους, όχι μόνο σε 540 μαθητές, αλλά
και μέσω δημοφιλών εβδομαδιαίων ζωντανών εκδηλώσεων , προσεγγίζοντας
ανθρώπους σε όλον τον κόσμο.

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ABOUT THE FOUNDER:

Timon Rossolimos

Timon Rossolimos, born in South and is a proud Greek and Greek

learner, is also a director of MATI Trader via Timon and MATI Enterprise
(Pty) Ltd and founder of The Greek Chain and VR Digital Citizens.

He is an entrepreneur, author, world-wide speaker and professional

financial trader since 2003, helping over 257,000 people learn how to
trade well.

Want to learn how to trade for a living?

CONNECT WITH MATI TRADER

Copyright @ 2021 | The Greek Chain | All rights reserved.

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~ A proven 20 year old trading strategy that works on any market. 37