Writing on signs in Greece
Σ, Π, Λ and Δ
Greek letters look half Latin, half something else: look for Σ, Π, Λ, Δ and Ω.
- Σ and Ω do not exist in Cyrillic.
- Lower-case Greek is round: α, ε, ς.
- Street signs are often in Greek with a Latin version below.
10 photos, grouped by the clue they show.
Key clue Shop sign 7
Key clue Street sign 3
Greece: what its writing looks like
Greek is the oldest alphabet still used in Europe. Some letters look Latin, like A, B and E, but others are clearly Greek: Σ, Π, Λ, Δ and Ω.
Lower-case Greek is round: α, ε, ς. Road signs usually show the place name in Greek and again in Latin letters.
Greek is used all over Greece and in Cyprus.
Look-alikes: how to tell them apart
Bulgaria
RussiaCyrillic, used in Bulgaria and Russia, grew out of Greek, so Π and Г appear in both. Σ, Ω and Λ are only Greek.
Questions about the writing in Greece
How can I tell Greek from Cyrillic?
Look for Σ, Ω and Λ: they are Greek only. Cyrillic has letters like Ж, Ш and Я that Greek does not have.
Do Greek road signs use Latin letters?
Yes. Most road signs show the name in Greek with a Latin version below.