Listen to two letter names and two short everyday phrases. Focus on γ and χ rather than copying the speaker’s pitch. This is a small pronunciation exercise in modern Greek, not a complete account of every consonant combination.
New to the Greek letters? Start with the complete Greek alphabet guide: all 24 letters, their names and how they sound.
Two contrasts to notice
Gamma is voiced; chi is voiceless. Their articulation moves towards the hard palate before /e/ and /i/. Palatal sounds also occur in contracted sequences such as γεια, so the vowel you hear immediately afterwards is not the whole rule.
- γάμμα — initial back gamma [ɣ]
- Γεια σου! — initial front gamma [ʝ]
- χι — front chi [ç]
- Μια χαρά. — back chi [x] in χαρά
These symbols distinguish the target sounds; the recordings contain whole words and phrases, not isolated consonants. Keep the airflow going instead of making a complete stop. Avoid replacing χ with the English “ch” of “chair”.
Listen before opening the transcript
Clip 1
Clip 2
Clip 3
Clip 4
Transcript and listening focus
1. γάμμα: focus on the beginning. 2. Γεια σου!: focus on Γεια. 3. χι: focus on the consonant before /i/. 4. Μια χαρά.: focus on χ in χαρά, not on the beginning of Μια.
Check what you are practising
- Which clip says the name gamma: 1 or 2?
- Which two clips contain the target χ sound?
- Should Γεια be assigned the back gamma solely because you hear /a/ afterwards?
- Does practising χ mean adding a complete stop before the airflow?
Answers
1. Clip 1. Clip 2 is a greeting. 2. Clips 3 and 4. 3. No: Γεια has a front articulation in this example. 4. No: aim for continuous airflow.
Compare one feature at a time
Replay clips 1 and 2, then repeat each whole item. Next compare χι with χαρά from clip 4. Record yourself with your own device if useful, then compare whether you kept airflow and changed tongue position. Different voices and recording levels are not pronunciation errors. This page does not record or automatically score your voice.
Use the greeting in an original exchange
Read this new practice exchange; it is not a transcript of the four clips. Repeat it once, then change the name.
— Γεια σου, Άννα! Τι κάνεις;
— Μια χαρά. Εσύ;
Continue practising
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