alfa

How to say it

Meaning

The first letter of the Greek alphabet, written α, used in science and in star names for the brightest star of a group.

Good to know

Also common in names of companies and people. The Greek letters that follow are beta, gamma and so on; alfabeti, alphabet, comes from the first two.

Examples

• Herufi ya kwanza ya alfabeti ya Kigiriki ni alfa.The first letter of the Greek alphabet is alpha.
• Nyota hii imepewa jina alfa kwa sababu ndiyo angavu zaidi.This star was named alpha because it is the brightest.
• Mwalimu aliandika alfa na beta ubaoni.The teacher wrote alpha and beta on the board.