Greek alphabet mnemonics draw each new Greek letter as something you already know, and most pictures' names start with the letter's sound. λ is drawn as a stepladder standing open, so when you see the shape, you think of a ladder and the l sound.
How Do Greek Picture Mnemonics Work?
Eight letters need no picture, because α, τ, π, ο, κ, ε, ι and ζ already look like letters or signs you know. π is the pi from math, and in Greek it says p. The other 16 letters each get a picture. When a keyword has capitals, the capitals spell the sound: θ is a THermos and δ points to THis. Most capitals share the picture of their small letter. A few look different, and the course draws them as the same subject in another pose: Σ is the σ snake sliding along in a zigzag, and Ω is the ω wave curling over. Many letters are also signs in math and science, so their cards say where you may have seen them.
The Greek Alphabet Chart With Pictures
Each sound is spelled with English letters, like th for θ. The last two groups are letter pairs, and each pair has its own sound.
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First Letters 4
- αΑaα looks like a and says the a in "father".
- τΤtτ looks like t and says t.
μΜmMagnetA horseshoe magnet with one long arm that reaches down below the line.- You may know it as µ, "micro", on labels like µg.
- πΠpπ is pi from math. In Greek it says p.
Five More Letters 5
- οΟoο looks like o and says the o in "or".
- κΚkκ looks like k and says k.
νΝnNestA nest sitting in the fork of a branch.- You may know ν, nu, from science.
λΛlLadderA stepladder standing open, with one long leg and one short one.- You may know λ, lambda, from math and physics.
σΣsSnakeA snake coiled into a ring, its head stretching out along the top.
Its capital Σ is the same snake, sliding along in a zigzag.- You may know its capital Σ, the sum sign from math.
Vowels and Th Sounds 5
- εΕeε says the e in "pet".
- ιΙiι is an i without the dot. It says the ee in "see".
ρΡrRacketA racket with its round head on top and its handle dropping down.- You may know ρ, rho, from physics.
δΔdhTHisA thumb pointing back, as if to say "this one". The round fist is the bottom of the letter.- You may know its capital Δ, the delta from math.
- It is the th in "this", never d.
θΘthTHermosA round thermos with a band around its middle.- You may know θ, theta, from angles in math.
- It is the th in "thin", never the th in "this".
Same Sound, New Letter 3
ηΗiEmuAn emu bending its neck down to look at the ground. Its long leg reaches all the way down.- You may know η, eta, from physics.
υΥiEelAn eel curled into a U.
Its capital Υ is two eels side by side, leaning apart at the top.- It sounds just like ι and η.
ωΩoOcean waveAn ocean wave. Its two round dips are the two bowls of ω.
Its capital Ω is one big ocean wave curling over.- You may know its capital Ω, the ohm sign from science.
The Last Letters 7
γΓghGOoseA goose with both wings up in a V, standing on one leg.
Its capital Γ is the same goose, standing tall with its beak pointing right.- You may know γ, gamma, from gamma rays.
- It is not the hard g in "go". Keep your tongue just off the roof of your mouth, so the sound flows like a soft, breathy g.
χΧhHockey sticksTwo hockey sticks crossing in the middle.- You may know χ, chi, from statistics.
- English h is a soft breath. χ scrapes gently at the back of the mouth.
βΒvVineA vine curls twice around a cane, and the cane goes down below the line.- You may know β, beta, from science.
φΦfFireflyA firefly seen from above. Its body runs straight through its round wings.- You may know φ, phi, the golden ratio.
- ζΖzζ looks like a curly z and says z.
- You may know ζ, zeta, from math.
ξΞksfoXA fox whose curly tail draws ξ. Think of the x at the end of "fox": ξ says k and s together.
Its capital Ξ is the same fox, lying on a fence with three planks.
ψΨpsTridentA trident, the three-pointed spear of the Greek god of the sea. ψ says p and s together, like the end of "cups".- You may know its capital Ψ, the psychology sign.
Two Letters, One Vowel 4
- ουu
- αιe
- ειi
- οιi
Letter Pairs 7
- αυav
- ευev
- μπb
- ντd
- γκg
- τσts
- τζdz
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Letters Are in the Greek Alphabet?
The Greek alphabet has 24 letters. The chart also shows 11 letter pairs, like ου and μπ, because each pair has its own sound.
Why Do Some Greek Letters Sound the Same?
Greek spelling kept old letters whose sounds have since merged. Today η, ι and υ all say the ee in "see", and so do ει and οι. ο and ω both say o. You learn which one a word uses as you read it.
Why Is σ Sometimes Written ς?
At the end of a word, σ is written ς. It's the same letter with the same sound.
Which Greek App Should a Beginner Choose?
If you are serious about learning Greek, start with Bubblegum. Poppy writes lessons at your level about things you like. Its Greek Alphabet course teaches every letter in this chart first. Our Greek app comparison covers more choices and what each one is good for.
Is Bubblegum Free?
Yes. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn. It holds lessons that other learners asked Poppy for. A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons.
