The so-called HARD SIGN and SOFT SIGN. Unusual letters of the Russian alphabet that have no sound.
HARD SIGN. This letter is used as a connecting element for two words instead of the hyphen [-] or apostrophe ['] in English and other languages. For example, in words CHECK-IN and FATHER-IN-LAW.
It is called a 'hard sign' because, as it were, it fixes the last consonant letter in the first word, without softening by the first vowel of the second word. For example, if you write the word without a hyphen, like this - CHECKIN, then the word will sound a little differently. Therefore, if you replace the hyphen with the Russian letter Ъ, then it will look like this - 'checkЪ in'.
Hard sign Ъ in Russian word ОБЪЕЗД (detour).
In fact, the letter Ъ replaces the hyphen or apostrophe between the two parts of the word - ОБ-ЕЗД or ОБ`ЕЗД (pronounced as AB-YEZD).
SOFT SIGN. It is called a 'soft sign' because it softens the consonant letter followed by this letter. For example, if you write the word CANYON without a letter Y, like this - CAN-ON, then the word will sound a little differently. Therefore, if you replace letter Y with the Russian 'soft sign Ь', then it will look like this - 'CANЬON'.
Also it is very similar to the difference between the Spanish letters N and Ñ. Listen to how the Spanish pronounce the word ESPAÑA and you will understand everything.
Soft sign Ь in Russian word ДЕНЬ/DAY (pronounced as DYEN` ).
In fact, here the letter Ь in combination with the Russian letter Н (corresponds to the Latin N) has the same meaning as the letter Y of the combination with the letter N (NY) in the word CANYON
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In the presented cards, you will find two variants of writing letters. The so-called block (print) and cursive.
The second option can come in handy too, since various signs (boards) are often made in cursive letters, as well as menus in restaurants, bars and cafes.
In addition, we have tried to show you the most accurate pronunciation of individual letters of the Russian alphabet, both outside of words and in the composition of words, choosing the exact analogies of the pronunciation of letters / sounds from Russian and English words.
Remember that in Russian, as in English and many other languages, some letters in various words are often pronounced differently than they are spelled. Our transliterated text (Russian words in Latin letters) does always matches the correct pronunciation! Dashes below letters indicate stress (accent) a certain syllable in a word.
Click on the PRONUNCIATION button above to know more. To listen the real sound of the letters of the Russian alphabet from a native speaker, press the LIVE SOUND button.
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