Spelling: one sound, several letters
ι / η / υ / ει / οι, ο / ω, ε / αι: how grammar tells you which to write.
The sound «i» can be written in six ways and «o» and «e» in two. Grammar helps: many endings have a fixed spelling.
| Ending | Spelling | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb, he / she | -ει | γράφει, μένει |
| verb, you (sg.) | -εις | γράφεις |
| feminine noun | -η | η πόλη, η αδελφή |
| masculine plural | -οι | οι φίλοι, καλοί |
| neuter noun | -ι | το παιδί |
| verb, we / they | -ουμε, -ουν | γράφουμε |
| verb, you (pl.) / passive | -ετε, -εται (ε / αι) | γράφετε / γράφεται |
Some pairs differ only in spelling: πήρα (I took) / πείρα (experience); κλείνω (close) / κλίνω (decline, inflect); τοίχος (wall) / τείχος (city wall); αυτή (she) / αυτί (ear).
- Οι φίλοι μου μένουν στην πόλη.My friends live in the city.
- Έχει μεγάλη πείρα στη δουλειά.She has a lot of experience in the job.
Test yourself
-
Spell the ending: οι καλ__ φίλοι
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καλοί -
Spell the ending: αυτός γράφ__
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γράφει -
Spell the ending: η φων__ (voice)
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φωνή -
What is the difference between «πήρα» and «πείρα»?
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I took / experience