How do you pronounce Hellas (Greek name for Greece)?

Question

The Greeks call their country Hellas and themselves the Hellenes. I was just curious at the pronunciation so I don't sound like an ignorant moron. Thanks.

Answer 1

You should also learn the word: Ellaδistan, an alternative name for Ellaδa. It is used by us Greeks as self sarcasm, whenever we feel that we are living in a third world country.

Answer 2

Nothing more from me to say :-)

I was just passing by to say "Γειάαααααααααααααααα!!!"

Or should I say "I saw the light on and decided to enter?"

Anyway, I loved the "ELLE" example.

Nice touch!

Answer 3

we don't spell the h, and e is like in egg. (ehl-lass) Ελλάς

But if you want to say "Greece", prefer the word Ellatha (ehl-la-thah) - th as in "the"

Ελλάδα

Answer 4

no your not a moran or ignorant i like people who are brave enought o ask..ty..IF you keep in mind the englsh way of pronuncing the girls name ELLE as in elle m'c pherson the super model ..your half way there in correctlly pronuncing ( hellinas.masculine)(ellinida feminien)ellada=country) (elliniko= descreptive as to hellenic influnce) ...replace the (H) WITH (E) ..then you have it (ELLINAS)  ....try it...  ..

Answer 5

Elas (the "e" is like in elephant).

However the original ancient Greek pronunciation was similar to the English one. That means that there was a slightly "h" in the beginning (like the "h" in history).

Answer 6

All the previous users are correct, I just add the stress (in capitals)...

EllAs (we don't pronounce the H, so I didn't write it)

or

EllAtha, like andreas said. Same thing.