# How to create a newcommand with 2 different meanings for math mode and text mode?

I use the \usepackage{newunicodechar} to enter easily some unicode characters in math mode.

For example I used unicode curled phi ( ϕ ) to insert phi in math mode. The problem is that any Unicode word in text mode starting with this phi is changed to math mode! So my question is: How could I use the ifmmoder or other TeX commands to make a suitable defitition of \newunicodechar{ϕ} that behaves diferently in each mode? (Unfortunately, I don't know TeX well ..)

% -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[greek]{babel}
\usepackage{newunicodechar}
\usepackage{Kerkis}

\newunicodechar{ϕ}{\varphi}

\begin{document} ϕαγητό \textlatin{means food}
$ϕ$
\end{document}


I don't have Kerkis package so this isn't tested but

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[greek]{babel}
\usepackage{newunicodechar}
\usepackage{Kerkis}

\newunicodechar{ϕ}{\ifmmode\varphi\else\textphi\fi}

\begin{document} ϕαγητό \textlatin{means food}
$ϕ$
\end{document}


I've use \textphi here but if your text Greek font has both phi forms you could substitute a command that defined var phi in text mode.

• Thank you David! My next problem is... which fonts have \textvar phi or something like that? Could you please give some ideas or maybe ask the Community? – kornaros Nov 24 '14 at 9:23
• @kornaros sorry I have no idea. My Greek language skills are restricted to math use. Do you have any greek text setup where both phis work? Perhaps you should ask a new question specifically on that. – David Carlisle Nov 24 '14 at 9:42