Greek letter phi
Greek phi: capital Φ, lowercase φ. It stands for f as in "fun". The capital takes 2 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.
φ is easy to place once you know it is a letter with a tail that drops below the baseline.
Stroke by stroke
- Start on the dashed midline at the middle. Draw a straight line straight down, ending on the descender line at the middle.
- Lift your pen and start again 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.
Look-alikes and pitfalls
φ is easy to place once you know it is a letter with a tail that drops below the baseline.
In a word
φως (fos), light
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 φ
Phi is letter 21 of 24 in the alphabet, after upsilon (Υυ), before chi (Χχ).
In Greek numerals, φ stands for 500, a system older than the digits we use now and still used for chapter numbers and school grades in Greece.
Phi is the golden ratio, about 1.618, and the symbol for the empty set in some notations.
Questions about greek phi
How do you pronounce phi?
Phi is f as in "fun".
How do you write the capital Φ?
Start on the top line at the middle. Draw a straight line straight down, ending on the baseline at the middle. Lift your pen and start again just below the top line at the middle. Go all the way round in a closed oval and meet your starting point, ending just below the top line at the middle.
How do you write lowercase φ?
Start on the dashed midline at the middle. Draw a straight line straight down, ending on the descender line at the middle. Lift your pen and start again 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.
What is a word that uses φ?
φως (fos), light. 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.