So, you want to start learning Greek? Amazing!
But let’s be honest. Learning Greek on your own can feel overwhelming. There’s a new alphabet, unfamiliar sounds, and grammar rules that seem to have a mind of their own. It feels like standing at the foot of Mount Olympus with no map. Don’t worry, though. You don’t need to climb the whole mountain at once. Think of this as your little roadmap for small, steady steps that actually get you speaking, reading, and enjoying Greek.
To help, I’ve created a free PDF roadmap that breaks your first month into simple weekly steps. Each week focuses on one key area—alphabet, essential words, grammar, building habits—so you can practice a little every day and steadily gain confidence. Grab it now to follow along as you take your first steps below.
Grab your free PDF roadmap
Now, let’s walk through those first steps.
1. Say Hello to the Alphabet:
Your First Step in Learning Greek
Before you can even say “Καλημέρα” correctly, you’ll want to get comfy with the Greek alphabet. It might look intimidating at first, but each letter has a sound, and once you know them, words suddenly start to make sense.
Tip: write your name, a few words, or even labels around your house in Greek. It’s a fun way to get the letters stuck in your head.
2. First Words That Actually Matter
Next, let’s start speaking. Don’t worry about perfect grammar yet—focus on phrases you can use right away: greetings, polite expressions, numbers, days of the week. You’ll be surprised how motivating it is to actually use the language in tiny ways.
For example:
- Γεια σου! (Hi!)
- Ευχαριστώ (Thank you)
- Τι κάνεις; (How are you?)
Mini practice:
- Learn 5–10 words or phrases a day.
- Try them with a friend, or say them out loud to yourself.
3. Easy Grammar to Keep You Moving
Now that you can say a few words, it’s time to peek at grammar—but keep it simple. Start with present tense verbs and basic sentence structure. Short, practical sentences are your best friend.
Tip: Focus on patterns, not perfection. Sentences like “I eat bread” and “She likes music” are enough to start building confidence.
4. Grow Your Vocabulary, One Topic at a Time While Learning Greek
Pick themes that matter to you: family, food, hobbies, travel. Learn 5–10 words a day and try to make mini-sentences. You don’t need a dictionary in your hand all the time. The key is using words in context.
Mini challenge: Make a short “word map” for a theme—like food—and write two simple sentences with those words.
5. Listen, Read, Write, Repeat
Even a few minutes a day helps. Read a line, watch a short video, write a sentence. Context helps words stick better than memorizing them alone.
Tip: Start with something short—two minutes of a song, a tiny news clip, or a children’s book. Gradually increase the challenge as you feel ready.
6. Make Practice a Habit to Keep Learning Greek
Consistency is more important than long sessions. Ten or fifteen minutes a day is perfect. Track your progress in a journal, app, or flashcards. And don’t forget: speaking is just as important as reading or writing. Find a language buddy, chat online, or even talk to yourself—it works!
Mini habit idea: Write one sentence a day about your day in Greek. Don’t worry about mistakes—they’re part of learning.
7. Watch Out for Common Traps
Don’t try to absorb everything at once, and don’t compare yourself to people who’ve been at this for years. That’s a fast way to feel discouraged. The real danger is letting fear of mistakes keep you quiet.
Tip: Celebrate small wins. Each new word, sentence, or conversation is progress. Mistakes just mean you’re learning.
Final Thoughts
Greek is a journey, not a race. Start with the basics, link learning to your everyday life, and enjoy each milestone. Explore the linked posts for more guidance, and consider sharing your first small win in the comments—you’ll be surprised how motivating it is.
