The Greek Dictionary Guide for Learners
What Is The Best Greek Dictionary?
A good Greek to English dictionary can be a great tool for learning Greek.
You will need a dictionary, regardless of whether you are just beginning to learn Greek or you have mastered the language.
This article will cover both the physical books as well as apps.
Books:
- The best dictionary to learn vocabulary
- Best Greek To English dictionary
Apps:
- Best online dictionary
- The best automatic translators that include dictionary functions
Physical books
The best dictionary for learning Greek vocabulary
Learners can access the MostUsedWords Greek frequency dictionary to find the most commonly used words in Greek. You will only use 2500 of the approximately 300,000 words in the Greek language. This is 90% of all the time.
You will see diminishing results, as the top 10,000 words will allow you to understand 98% all spoken languages and 97% all Greek texts.
If you are learning Greek, it is important to learn the most commonly used words first. Enter our frequency dictionaries. These dictionaries give you practical Greek vocabulary lists based on the frequency you will encounter each word. These books provide:
- This is a general frequency list that will help you learn the most commonly used Greek words
- Frequency lists for parts of speech: These are the most common Greek adjectives and adverbs.
- The back of the book contains an A-Z Greek dictionary, which makes it easy to look up Greek words.
All entries in Greek contain:
- The English translations
- Information about the Part of Speech
- Phonetic pronunciation of IPA This will allow you to correctly pronounce Greek words.
- English-to-Greek example sentences to show how the vocabulary is used.
You can purchase the Greek frequency dictionaries in paperback from Amazon or as PDF eBooks on our website. You can find the most popular 10,000 words in four books:
- Top 2500 Most Common Greek Words in Greek Frequency Dictionary – Essential Vocabulary
- 2501-2500 Most Popular Greek Words in Greek Frequency Dictionary – Intermediate Vocabulary
- Top 5001-7500 Most Common Greek Words in Greek Frequency Dictionary – Advanced Vocabulary
- Top 7501-10000 Most Common Greek Words in Greek Frequency Dictionary – Master Vocabulary
Frequency dictionaries can be a great tool for students of Greek whether they are studying it in class or independently. These are great tools to quickly build your practical vocabulary.
These books don't include all Greek words. These books only include the most frequently used. However, it can still meet 98% of your Greek language needs. The books also do not cover grammar.
Best Comprehensive Greek-English dictionary for Learners
Collins and Oxford both have very comprehensive dictionaries that are great for students. Both dictionaries include grammar references which is a great feature. Both are trusted brands. You can purchase them in paperback from Amazon, or use their websites for a free.
These traditional dictionaries have approximately 120.000 entries and list their Greek vocabulary starting at A-Z. These dictionaries are great for finding uncommon words. Their strengths lie in their ability to understand grammar and thematic vocabulary lists.
Best Greek-English Dictionary
The Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament is an excellent resource for both advanced users and those looking to assist academic research.
It is the most well-known and authoritative dictionary on the Greek language. It is the oldest and best-known dictionary on Greek.
If you're just beginning to learn Greek, this resource might not be appropriate. This resource is perfect for expats or students of Greek who want to improve their Greek fluency.
Online Greek Dictionaries & Apps
If you need to quickly find a Greek term, an online dictionary will be your best friend. Online dictionaries are quicker than physical ones.
You should note that not all Greek dictionary that can be found online is made equal. These dictionaries can be very useful in certain situations but not for all.
Best All-Round Dictionary (including Conjugations!): WordReference
Wordreference was likely recommended to you by someone who took a Greek course. It is our favorite all-around Greek dictionary and works in many situations.
Wordreference offers translations from English to Greek and English into Greek. The website provides information about contexts in which Greek words are used.
You can also use a Greek-only dictionary.
Wordreference's UI, however, is a problem. It was created in the 1990s and would benefit from a major overhaul.
Best Dictionary For Real Spoken Greek and Slang: LexiLogos
Sometimes the dictionary will not be able to translate the word you are looking for.
Fortunately, LexiLogos is a linguistic specialist-free resource. Instead, the dictionary is made entirely from user-generated content. It is a lot like Wikipedia.
However, it is important to remember that just because someone claims something is true doesn't mean it's correct.
You can also find the best slang by dividing the website's words and phrases into different countries.
Most Popular Greek Translator: Google Translate
Google Translate will probably be something you already know. Although, it doesn't always work as it claims. You might end up with an incoherent sentence and a nonsensical translation
Here are some tips to get the most from Google Translate:
Google Translate works best for one word, several words, or a short phrase. If your Greek input is more complex, the site's AI may make more errors.
A shield icon next to a translation is a good indicator of its accuracy. A shield sign means that the translation has been certified by an actual person.
Do not look at the first Google Translate result. There may be more relevant information below. Some translations might make more sense in your specific context.
Best Neural AI Online Greek Translator
These AI-powered translators offer a great alternative for Google Translate. The paid versions at least:
- DEEPL
- Lingvanex
These translations are more accurate than Google Translate but they might still have errors. The paid version is worth considering if you need them for school or work.
So, What Is The Best Greek Dictionary?
It all depends upon your situation. It is an excellent way to quickly learn Greek vocabulary.
If you're looking for a dictionary with grammar and many words that is easy to use, a traditional dictionary for learners might be the best choice.
LexiLogos and Wordreference are both free resources that will help you learn Greek.
Google Translate is an excellent tool to translate sentences and get definitions. Lingvanex or DeepL can be used to translate a lot of text accurately.