Weeks 1–2: The Greek Alphabet, Pronunciation, Breathing Marks, and Accents

Introduction

Welcome to your very first steps in learning Koine Greek! Everything begins here—with the alphabet. Just as a child first learns their ABCs before reading books, you too must first become familiar with the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet. Mastering the alphabet is essential because it allows you to read, write, and pronounce words in the original language of the New Testament.

Over the next two weeks, you will:

• Learn to recognize and write all 24 letters of the Greek alphabet.

• Practice their pronunciations.

• Understand and apply breathing marks (a crucial feature in Greek).

• Learn how accents guide pronunciation and meaning.

This foundation may feel challenging, but with daily practice, you will quickly find the alphabet becoming second nature.

Step 1: The Greek Alphabet

The Greek alphabet has 24 letters—some may look familiar, while others are brand new. Here’s a simple chart:

👉 Tip: Practice writing each letter in uppercase and lowercase until you can produce them confidently.

Step 2: Pronunciation

Koine Greek pronunciation is simpler than Classical Greek. Each letter has one primary sound. Practice by reading letters aloud daily. Using the Greek To Me Alphabet Trainer (see below on your page) will make this step much easier, since it lets you hear and repeat the sounds.

Step 3: Breathing Marks

Greek words that begin with a vowel (α, ε, η, ι, ο, υ, ω) will always carry a breathing mark above the first vowel:

• Smooth breathing (᾿): No “h” sound. Example: ἀνθρωπος (anthrōpos, “man”).

• Rough breathing (῾): Adds an “h” sound at the beginning. Example: ἁγιος (hagios, “holy”).

👉 Without noticing breathing marks, you may misread words entirely. Always check the first vowel for its mark.

Step 4: Accents

Accents help indicate which syllable to stress. There are three main accents:

• Acute (´): Rising pitch, like a normal stressed syllable.

• Grave (`): Lower pitch (often used when followed by another word).

• Circumflex (῀): Rising and falling pitch on the same syllable.

👉 In Koine, accents don’t usually change meaning (unlike in some modern languages), but they do guide correct pronunciation and should always be noted.

Examples to Practice

1. ἀνθρωπος (anthrōpos) → “man” (smooth breathing, accent on first syllable).

2. ἁμαρτια (hamartia) → “sin” (rough breathing, “h” sound at beginning).

3. λογος (logos) → “word” (note the final sigma form when at end).

Practice Questions & Assignments

1. Alphabet Recognition

• Write the entire Greek alphabet three times (both uppercase and lowercase).

• Practice reciting the alphabet aloud until you can do it smoothly.

2. Breathing Marks

• Identify whether the following words begin with a smooth or rough breathing mark:

  • ἀνθρωπος

  • ἁγιος

  • Ἰησους

3. Accents

• Mark the stressed syllable in each of the following words:

  • γραφη (graphē, “Scripture”)

  • βασιλεια (basileia, “kingdom”)

  • μαθητης (mathētēs, “disciple*)

4. Reading Practice

• Read aloud the following words slowly, paying attention to breathing marks and accents:

  • ἀδελφος (adelphos, “brother”)

  • ἁμαρτωλος (hamartōlos, “sinner”)

  • κυριος (kurios, “Lord”)

5. Daily Practice Assignment

• Use the Greek To Me Alphabet Trainer for 10–15 minutes each day until you can confidently recognize and pronounce every letter without hesitation.

Encouragement

The Greek alphabet may feel foreign at first, but with just a little daily practice you will quickly master it. Remember—every scholar of the New Testament once began exactly where you are right now. Stay consistent, practice daily, and within weeks you’ll find yourself reading and writing Greek naturally.

You are laying the foundation for all future learning. Keep going—you’ve got this!