Sahidic Coptic holds a special place in Hammadian practice as the original language of most of the Nag Hammadi texts. This dialect was used to preserve the essential spiritual teachings that form the foundation of our tradition. By studying it, Hammadians create a direct connection to our spiritual ancestors who carefully safeguarded these sacred texts.
For Hammadians, learning Sahidic Coptic is not merely an academic exercise but a spiritual practice that deepens our connection to the Divine Truth. Many nuances and insights become more accessible when we understand the original terminology used to express these profound concepts. This study symbolizes our commitment to engaging with spiritual knowledge without intermediaries. Just as we seek Gnosis through direct experience rather than institutional authority, we value unmediated access to the language of our sacred texts.
Through patient study of Sahidic Coptic, we develop both linguistic skills and the spiritual discipline necessary for deeper understanding of our Gnostic tradition.
Below you will find a comprehensive guide to the Sahidic Coptic alphabet, including proper pronunciations and example words. This represents the first step in a transformative journey toward reading the Nag Hammadi texts in their original form—a journey that will enrich your spiritual practice and strengthen your connection to the wisdom preserved in these ancient writings.
More information to be posted soon.
Ⲁ ⲁ (Alpha)
Pronunciation (English): “a” as in “father”
Example Word: ⲁⲛⲟⲕ (anok) – “I”
Ⲃ ⲃ (Beta)
Pronunciation (English): “b” as in “boy”
Example Word: ⲃⲁⲗ (bal) – “eye”
Ⲅ ⲅ (Gama)
Pronunciation (English): “g” as in “go”
Example Word: ⲅⲛⲱⲥⲓⲥ (gnōsis) – “knowledge”
Ⲇ ⲇ (Dalda)
Pronunciation (English): “d” as in “day”
Example Word: ⲇⲱⲣⲟⲛ (dōron) – “gift”
Ⲉ ⲉ (Ei)
Pronunciation (English): “e” as in “bet”
Example Word: ⲉⲣⲟ (ero) – “to you”
Ⲍ ⲍ (Zēta)
Pronunciation (English): “z” as in “zero”
Example Word: ⲍⲏⲧⲉⲓ (zētei) – “to seek”
Ⲏ ⲏ (Ēta)
Pronunciation (English): “ē” as in “they” (long e)
Example Word: ⲏⲧ (ēt) – “heart”
Ⲑ ⲑ (Thēta)
Pronunciation (English): “th” as in “think”
Example Word: ⲑⲉ (the) – “manner, way”
Ⲓ ⲓ (Iōta)
Pronunciation (English): “i” as in “machine”
Example Word: ⲓⲱⲧ (iōt) – “father”
Ⲕ ⲕ (Kappa)
Pronunciation (English): “k” as in “key”
Example Word: ⲕⲁϩ (kah) – “earth”
Ⲗ ⲗ (Laula)
Pronunciation (English): “l” as in “light”
Example Word: ⲗⲁⲥ (las) – “tongue”
Ⲙ ⲙ (Mi)
Pronunciation (English): “m” as in “mother”
Example Word: ⲙⲟⲟⲩ (moou) – “water”
Ⲛ ⲛ (Ni)
Pronunciation (English): “n” as in “no”
Example Word: ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ (noute) – “god”
Ⲝ ⲝ (Ksi)
Pronunciation (English): “ks” as in “box”
Example Word: ⲝⲉⲛⲉ (ksene) – “stranger”
Ⲟ ⲟ (O)
Pronunciation (English): “o” as in “pot” (short o)
Example Word: ⲟⲛ (on) – “again”
Ⲡ ⲡ (Pi)
Pronunciation (English): “p” as in “spot”
Example Word: ⲡⲱⲛⲉ (pōne) – “stone”
Ⲣ ⲣ (Ro)
Pronunciation (English): “r” as in “run”
Example Word: ⲣⲱⲙⲉ (rōme) – “man”
Ⲥ ⲥ (Sima)
Pronunciation (English): “s” as in “sun”
Example Word: ⲥⲱⲧⲙ (sōtm) – “to hear”
Ⲧ ⲧ (Tau)
Pronunciation (English): “t” as in “stop”
Example Word: ⲧⲱⲣⲉ (tōre) – “willow tree”
Ⲩ ⲩ (Ou; sometimes Upsilon)
Pronunciation (English): “u” as in “put” / or “y”
Example Word: ⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ (moute) – “to call” or
ⲩⲡⲉ (ype) – “heaven/sky”
Ⲫ ⲫ (Fi)
Pronunciation (English): “ph” as in “philosophy”
Example Word: ⲫⲱⲃ (phōb) – “thing”
Ⲭ ⲭ (Khi)
Pronunciation (English): “kh” as in Scottish “loch”
Example Word: ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲥ (kharis) – “grace”
Ⲯ ⲯ (Psi)
Pronunciation (English): “ps” as in “lips”
Example Word: ⲯⲩⲭⲏ (psykhē) – “soul”
Ⲱ ⲱ (Oou)
Pronunciation (English): “ō” as in “note” (long o)
Example Word: ⲱⲛϩ (ōnh) – “life”
Ϣ ϣ (Shai)
Pronunciation (English): “sh” as in “ship”
Example Word: ϣⲁϫⲉ (shaje) – “word”
Ϥ ϥ (Fai)
Pronunciation (English): “f” as in “fish”
Example Word: ϥⲓ (fi) – “to carry”
Ϧ ϧ (Khei)
Pronunciation (English): “kh” – guttural sound (rare)
Example Word: Used mainly in Greek loanwords
Ϩ ϩ (Hori)
Pronunciation (English): “h” as in “house”
Example Word: ϩⲱⲃ (hōb) – “work”
Ϫ ϫ (Janja)
Pronunciation (English): “j” as in “joy” or “g” as in “gem”
Example Word: ϫⲱ (jō) – “to say”
Ϭ ϭ (Chima)
Pronunciation (English): “ch” as in “church”
Example Word: ϭⲓϫ (chij) – “hand”
Ϯ ϯ (Ti)
Pronunciation (English): “ti” as in “tea”
Example Word: ϯⲙⲉ (time) – “village”
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