Master the Greek Alphabet and Sounds
Greek has 24 letters, many familiar to English math and science fans. Learn letter names, sounds, and stress marks early. Focus on digraphs like ου (oo), αι (e), οι/ει (ee). Note that Γ before ε/ι sounds like a soft y/g, and stress is shown with an accent (΄). Reading comes quickly when you pair letters with audio. Five minutes a day of sound–letter practice will boost all your learning.
- Start with lowercase; most real text uses it.
- Shadow audio while pointing to each letter.
- Learn stress early; it changes meaning.
- Build a mini deck of words per letter.
Essential A1 Phrases and Vocab
Memorize polite phrases, numbers, days, and travel words. Combine Greek text with transliteration and audio. Keep a free pdf phrase sheet on your phone for quick review. Speak aloud from day one, even if you just read and repeat. Short, useful chunks help you survive real situations and keep motivation high for beginners.
- Γεια σου (ya su) – hi, informal
- Καλημέρα (kalimera) – good morning
- Ευχαριστώ (efharistó) – thank you
- Παρακαλώ (parakaló) – please / you’re welcome
- Πόσο κάνει; (póso káni) – how much is it?
Basics of Greek Grammar (Easy Mode)
Keep grammar simple at first. Greek often uses Subject–Verb–Object, but order can move for emphasis. Nouns have gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and articles agree: ο, η, το. Learn one pattern at a time: present tense, articles, and basic plurals. Build mini sentences using set frames, then swap words to practice. If it feels hard, reduce the target: one tense, one use case, one example.
- Articles: ο (m), η (f), το (n).
- είμαι: είμαι, είσαι, είναι, είμαστε, είστε, είναι.
- Plurals: -ος→-οι, -α→-α, -η→-ες (common basics).
- Frames: Είμαι + name/job; Θέλω + noun/verb.
Best Free Online Tools and PDFs
You can learn fully online with free courses, apps, and printable pdf resources. Mix listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Use spaced repetition for vocab, audio for pronunciation, and short texts for grammar in context. Keep a small toolkit and avoid app overload; choose one course path and one support app, plus a dictionary and a pronunciation site.
- Learn Greek Online (Kypros): free text lessons with audio.
- Filoglossia: University of Athens interactive modules.
- Duolingo Greek: gamified drills; add speaking practice elsewhere.
- Forvo and Wiktionary: pronunciations and quick definitions.
- Search “Greek A1 pdf phrasebook” and “A1 grammar pdf”.
A Simple 28‑Day Plan for Beginners
Here is a tight plan to hit the basics fast. Keep sessions short (20–30 minutes) and daily. Always combine sound with text. On busy days, do micro‑reviews. Track new words in a small notebook or an online deck. Repeat wins: read aloud, shadow audio, and recycle yesterday’s material before adding new items.
- Week 1: Alphabet, sounds, stress; 20 core phrases; numbers 1–20.
- Week 2: Articles, είμαι, basic nouns; greetings and introductions.
- Week 3: Θέλω + noun/verb, ordering food, prices, days and time.
- Week 4: Plural basics, directions, simple texts; 10‑minute daily review.
FAQ
- What do I need to start learning Greek for free?
- A clear goal, one free online course, a pdf phrase sheet, audio for pronunciation, and a review method (app or notebook). That’s all you need.
- Can I learn Greek basics online without a teacher?
- Yes. Follow a structured course, add daily listening and speaking, and use feedback via language exchange or pronunciation sites for corrections.
- How long to reach A1–A2 level?
- A1 can take 40–60 focused hours; A2 about 100–150. With daily 25‑minute sessions, expect roughly 6–16 weeks, depending on your consistency.
- Are PDFs enough, or do I need audio too?
- Use both. PDFs teach structure and reading, but Greek sounds and stress need audio. Shadow recordings to fix pronunciation from the start.
- Is Greek hard for beginners?
- It’s very learnable. The alphabet is small, pronunciation is regular, and basics are clear. Consistent daily learning beats long, rare sessions.