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Learning Greek

    Elpenor's Lessons in Ancient Greek

 In Print:
The Original Greek New Testament

LESSON 1
THE GREEK LETTERS 

by George Valsamis

 

ELPENOR EDITIONS IN PRINT



Page 6

Groups of vowels and consonants

 

Here are the Greek letters divided in vowels of long and/or short duration

and 7 kinds of consonants:

 

Can be long or short:

Αα, Ιι, Υυ

Smooth:

Κκ, Ππ, Ττ

Short:

Εε, Οο

Rough:

Χχ, Φφ, Θθ

Long:

Ηη, Ωω

Middle:

Ββ, Γγ, Δδ

 

 

Liquid:

Λλ, Ρρ

 

 

Nasal:

Μμ, Νν

 

 

Spirant:

Σσς

 

 

Double:

Ζζ, Ξξ, Ψψ

 

Memorize this list, especially the duration of the vowels, because you will need it later to understand the use of accentuation marks.

 

Note: Double consonants (ζ, ξ, ψ) are named so, because they were formed by the absorption of two letters. You can see below their origin, not always as obvious as e.g. in π + σ giving ψ.

ζ comes from σ+δ (Ἀθήνασδε -> Ἀθήναζε) or from δ+j

ξ comes from κ+σ, or γ+σ, or χ+σ

ψ comes from π+σ, or β+σ, or φ+σ.


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Greek Grammar * Basic New Testament Words * Greek - English Interlinear Iliad
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Reference address : https://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/lessons/lesson1.asp?pg=6