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Greek alphabet

24 questions · Language

Alpha, beta, gamma: the Greek alphabet is the root of our own writing and you meet it in maths, physics and student life. Here you learn all 24 letters. Our very word alphabet is made of the first two of them, alpha and beta. In software development a preview version is called a beta: after the second letter, because the alpha phase comes first. The Latin C and G both descend from the Greek gamma, and a river delta is named after the triangular capital delta; Herodotus already compared the mouth of the Nile to that shape. Some names explain themselves once you know the Greek: epsilon literally means simple E, distinguishing it from other E sounds in ancient Greek. Zeta sits near the front of the Greek alphabet, in sixth place: quite unlike the Latin Z, which brings up the rear. In modern Greek the letter eta is pronounced like an i, a good example of how sounds shifted since antiquity. Did you know that the sound of theta (a breathy th as in the English think) does not exist in German at all?

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All questions with answers

What is “Α α” called?

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Alpha

What is “Β β” called?

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Beta

What is “Γ γ” called?

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Gamma

What is “Δ δ” called?

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Delta

What is “Ε ε” called?

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Epsilon

What is “Ζ ζ” called?

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Zeta

What is “Η η” called?

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Eta

What is “Θ θ” called?

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Theta

What is “Ι ι” called?

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Iota

What is “Κ κ” called?

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Kappa

What is “Λ λ” called?

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Lambda

What is “Μ μ” called?

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Mu

What is “Ν ν” called?

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Nu

What is “Ξ ξ” called?

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Xi

What is “Ο ο” called?

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Omicron

What is “Π π” called?

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Pi

What is “Ρ ρ” called?

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Rho

What is “Σ σ” called?

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Sigma

What is “Τ τ” called?

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Tau

What is “Υ υ” called?

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Upsilon

What is “Φ φ” called?

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Phi

What is “Χ χ” called?

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Chi

What is “Ψ ψ” called?

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Psi

What is “Ω ω” called?

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Omega

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