This paper aims to analyze the cognitive-semantic properties of Greek preverbs derived from ancient Greek prepositions and proposes a vocabulary teaching method utilizing them. Vocabulary acquisition plays a crucial role in foreign language learning, yet traditional methods often rely on simple interpretation or context-based understanding, leaving learners to fill in knowledge gaps independently through dictionary use. In this study, a method for mastering preverbs derived from ancient Greek prepositions to enhance modern Greek vocabulary is presented. These morphemes, evolved from ancient Greek prepositions into modern Greek preverbs, are paired with various verbs, primarily those with spatial connotations. The focus centers on 15 preverbs: anti-, apo-, dia-, eis-, en-, epi-, kata-, meta-, para-, peri-, pro-, pros-, syn-, yper-, and ypo-. The usage of these preverbs in vocabulary construction is analyzed, and they are employed for instructional purposes. Each preverb’s semantic domain is delineated, accompanied by a schematic representation to aid learners in conceptualization by establishing a central meaning. By engaging in conceptualization, learners can grasp preverb meanings, comprehend new vocabulary utilizing these preverbs, and progressively expand their vocabulary to encompass peripheral meanings associated with each preverb.

The purpose of this study is to analyze two greek prepositions (‘apo’ and ‘se’) and learners’ errors to suggest comprehensible instruction in general. To express spatial meaning, the Greek language uses almost exclusively combinations of local adverbs with prepositions, especially ‘apo’ and ‘se’, with certain case while the Korean language uses ‘adverbial particles’. The first investigation is to look into the meanings of greek prepositions, especially ‘apo’ and ‘se’ which are ‘primary’ prepositions in the Greek language. It is necessary to analyze how they are expressed in the Korean language due to set instructional direction to Korean learners. There are many adverbial particles which correspond with each meaning of two greek prepositions so that it is not that clear for Korean learners to understand scattered semantic category of each preposition. Subsequently we will analyze learners’ errors of their use of prepositions. The result shows that the learners are problematic to use ‘apo’ and ‘se’ properly. In some cases their use of the prepositions seems mixed up. It is important to know problematic points of greek prepositions ‘apo’ and ‘se’ to Korean learners to set some efficient instruction. At the conclusion, there are some suggestions on the effective teaching of greek prepositions ‘apo’ and ‘se’ especially in ‘complex prepositions’ using images and example sentences.