Diphthongs & Letter Combinations
Special letter combinations that create new sounds
Can correctly read and pronounce Greek letter combinations
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Θέλω μια μπίρα, παρακαλώ.
I want a beer, please.
Ευχαριστώ πολύ!
Thank you very much!
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Letter Combinations
Greek lacks the letters b, d, g — instead it uses two-letter combos:
| Combo | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| μπ | b | μπίρα (beer) |
| ντ | d | ντομάτα (tomato) |
| γκ | g | γκαράζ (garage) |
| τσ | ts | τσάι (tea) |
| τζ | dz | τζάκι (fireplace) |
αυ/ευ rule: Before voiced sounds → av/ev. Before voiceless sounds → af/ef.
Don't read μπ as 'mp' — it's 'b'. ντ is 'd' not 'nt'. γκ is 'g' not 'nk'. The αυ/ευ voicing rule takes practice.
Θέλω μια μπίρα, παρακαλώ.
I want a beer, please.
μπίρα: μπ = 'b', so it's 'bíra' not 'mpíra'.
Ευχαριστώ πολύ!
Thank you very much!
ευ before χ (voiceless) = 'ef': efcharistó. Not 'evcharistó'.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises