The more Greek you learn, the more you will realise how many English words have their origins in Greek. The Greek pronunciation can be completely different but the meaning can become clear when you begin to understand how Greek letters are transcribed into English. For example, the Greek Φ, φ is written as ph and Υ, υ as y. This can make some delightful surprises and can make you a popular member of quiz groups! Many scientific, medical and academic words come from the Greek, as you will see from the examples below:

Nouns

English: –ology    Greek       – ολογία     

Examples

• γυναικολογία gynaecology (from γυναίκα woman + λόγος word, Knowledge)
•  καρδιολογία  cardiology  ( from καρδιά heart)

English -phobia  Greek      -φοβία      

Example

• αραχνοφοβία arachnophobia (from αράχνη spider + φόβος fear)

English – mania   Greek     – μανία      

Example

• μεγαλομανία megalomania (from μεγάλο big, great+ μανία madness)

English –cracy  Greek        –κρατία       

Example

• δημοκρατία democracy (from δήμος the public + κράτος state)

English-philo    Greek      –φιλο           

Example

• φιλοσοφία   philosophy (from φίλος friend/ lover of + σοφία wisdom)

English-micro      Greek   –μικρο   

Example      

•   μικροβιολογία microbiology (from μικρός small + βιολογία  biology)

English- nano     Greek   – νανο    

Example     

•   νανοτεχνολογία  nanotechnology (from νάνος dwarf + τεχνολογία   technology)

You can also  read10 smart Greek words to sound more professional

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