Determine the meanings of Greek and Latin roots

Key Notes :

Common Greek Roots

Photo = LightExamples: Photograph: A picture made using light. 📸Photocopy: A copy made using light. Photosynthesis: The process where plants use light to make food.

Tele = Far AwayExamples: Telephone: A device to hear someone far away. 📞Television: A device to see things from far away. 📺Telescope: An instrument to view objects far away.

Common Latin Roots

Spect = Look Examples: Spectacles: Eyeglasses to help you look better.👓Spectator: Someone who looks at an event. Inspect: To look at something carefully.

Port = Carry Examples: Transport: To carry something from one place to another. 🚚 Portable: Able to be carried. 🎒 Export: To carry goods out of a country.

How Roots Help Us

Let’s try to figure out a word! What does “autograph” mean?

• We know “auto” means self (a Greek root!).
• We know “graph” means write (also a Greek root!).

So, “autograph” means to write your own name! It’s your signature!

Isn’t that cool? By knowing roots, you can unlock the meanings of so many words! Keep an eye out for these roots when you’re reading. The more roots you know, the better you become at understanding new words!

Next Steps

Keep exploring! Try to find more words with these roots and see if you can figure out their meanings. You can also look up other common Greek and Latin roots. Happy word hunting!

Let’s practice!