Greek letter alpha
Greek alpha: capital Α, lowercase α. It stands for a as in "father". The capital takes 3 strokes and the lowercase takes 2 strokes. The model on this page is print style, the form used in textbooks and on road signs, drawn one stroke at a time.
α is easy to place once you know it is a short letter that sits between the baseline and the midline.
Stroke by stroke
- Start on the dashed midline at the middle. Go all the way round in a closed oval and meet your starting point, ending on the dashed midline at the middle.
- Lift your pen and start again on the dashed midline at the right side. Curve straight down, ending on the baseline at the right side.
Look-alikes and pitfalls
α is easy to place once you know it is a short letter that sits between the baseline and the midline.
In a word
αγάπη (agápi), love
Practice
Trace on screen first: press Trace it above and follow the grey letter. Then print the sheet and write the same letter on paper. Writing on paper is what builds the habit.
More about α
Alpha is letter 1 of 24 in the alphabet, before beta (Ββ).
In Greek numerals, α stands for 1, a system older than the digits we use now and still used for chapter numbers and school grades in Greece.
In science alpha marks the first of a series: alpha particles, alpha waves, and the angle α in geometry. In finance it is the return above a benchmark.
Questions about greek alpha
How do you pronounce alpha?
Alpha is a as in "father".
How do you write the capital Α?
Start on the baseline at the left side. Draw a straight line straight up, ending on the top line at the middle. Lift your pen and start again on the top line at the middle. Draw a straight line straight down, ending on the baseline at the right side.
How do you write lowercase α?
Start on the dashed midline at the middle. Go all the way round in a closed oval and meet your starting point, ending on the dashed midline at the middle. Lift your pen and start again on the dashed midline at the right side. Curve straight down, ending on the baseline at the right side.
What is a word that uses α?
αγάπη (agápi), love. The word is written below the letter on this page in the same stroke style.
Can I print a worksheet?
Yes. The worksheet maker takes Greek and Russian text as well as cursive and print, in three line sizes.