Coptic small letter psi

It spells p followed by s inside a Coptic word.

ⲯ functions inside a word rather than carrying a word meaning on its own. In Sahidic, one Coptic dialect, it can be the rare compact spelling of ⲡ + ⲥ; a grammar illustrates this with ⲯⲓⲧⲉ, “nine.”

It also appears in Greek-derived Coptic vocabulary: ⲯⲩⲭⲏ means “soul.” Read the surrounding word; ⲯ contributes a letter, not a complete word.

Where did Coptic psi come from?

It came through Greek writing, which was adapted to write Egyptian.

Greek alphabetic writing is attested c. 740 BCE. Egyptian writers adapted Greek letters to spell Egyptian, making vowels clearer than in older Egyptian writing; this alphabetic writing appears in spells, temple records, and Christian scripture.

Fully developed Coptic writing appears in the third century CE. It kept Greek-derived letters and added a small set adapted from Demotic, a cursive form of Egyptian writing; ⲯ belongs to the Greek-derived set.

Why does ⲯ look like Greek psi?

Greek ψ is its source, but two letters belong to different scripts.

Coptic writing borrowed most of its letters from Greek, but ⲯ and ψ are distinct characters. In a Coptic transcription, use ⲯ; ψ belongs in Greek text.

Coptic fonts may draw Sahidic and Bohairic forms differently. A different outline can reflect regional style, not a different character.