Pronounce Greek Like a Pro: Digraphs and Diphthongs

Wait, what?

Now, if you have no clue what these crazy-sounding words actually mean, do not despair. We are here to help you and break it down so you can understand. Remember, Greek is super-cool!

What Are Diphthongs?

A diphthong is a sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another (within the same syllable). The two sounds combine into a smooth transition, making the word sound continuous. So basically, it is vowels that are pronounced as different two vowels (example in English: loud, side, etc.)

In Modern Greek, true diphthongs are less common than in some other languages, but there are still important words where vowel combo has specific pronunciation, particularly in spoken Greek. Here are some common diphthongs:

– αυ / ευ (pronounced as av/af or ev/ef): The letters α (a) and υ (u), or ε (e) and υ (u), form diphthongs when followed by a voiced or voiceless consonant.  

 Examples:  

    – αυγό (avgó) – “egg”  

    – ευχαριστώ (efxaristó) – “thank you”

The pronunciation of these combinations changes depending on the following consonant:

– If followed by a voiced consonant (e.g., β, γ, δ), the sound is pronounced as [v] (av, ev).

– If followed by a voiceless consonant (e.g., κ, π, τ, θ, φ, χ, σ), the sound is pronounced as [f] (af, ef).

In spoken Modern Greek, diphthongs often involve one smooth sound even though the spelling shows two vowels. 

What Are Digraphs?

A digraph is two letters used together that make one sound. In Modern Greek, digraphs are extremely important.

Here are some key digraphs in Modern Greek:

1. αι (ai):  

   – Pronounced as [e], this digraph sounds like the English “e” in “bet.”

   – Example: αίμα (éma) – blood

2. ει (ei) and οι (oi):  

   – Both are pronounced as [i], like the “ee” in “see.”

   – Examples: οικία (ikía) – house

3. ου (ou):  

   – This digraph represents the sound [u], like the “oo” in “food.”

   – Example: που (pu) – who

4. μπ, ντ, γγ, and γκ:  

   – These digraphs are used for certain consonant sounds ([b] [d] [ng] [g] sounds, which don’t have their own individual letters in Modern Greek.

   – Examples: μπαμπάς (babás)= dad, ντομάτα (domáta) =tomato, γγόνι (ngóni) =knee, γκαράζ (garáz) =garage

5. τσ (ts) and τζ (dz):  

   – These are used to indicate the sounds [ts] and [dz].

   – Examples: τσάι (tsái) =tea, τζάκι (dzáki) – fireplace

Digraphs and Spelling in Greek

Modern Greek spelling relies on digraphs to provide consistency in pronunciation. This has roots in the history of the language, where many letters and combinations of letters originally had distinct sounds but now represent simpler vowel or consonant sounds.

Common Pitfalls for Learners

How do I know which (i) I should use?

For students of Greek, one of the main challenges in writing is distinguishing between the different digraphs that represent the same sound. For instance, the digraphs ει, οι, υι, η  are all pronounced as (i), which can be confusing for non-native speakers.

Our solution is: be patient and try to learn and understand grammar concepts as you go. We promise it will not be difficult. There are some rules or just tips on how to figure things out.

How do I know if I should say (euharisto) or (efharisto)?

Another common issue is mastering the changing sounds of diphthongs αυ and ευ, which depend on the following consonant. It takes time to get used to switching between the [av]/[ev] and [af]/[ef] pronunciations depending on the word’s context.

Our solution: for now just listen and learn the pronunciation of words without too much thinking at first

Diphthongs and digraphs are important parts of Modern Greek, influencing both pronunciation and spelling. While diphthongs in Greek are relatively rare, the language relies heavily on digraphs. Just take your time and go step by step. Learn one rule, one word, one sound, and then move on.

Didn’t we promise Greek is fun and super-cool?!

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