The Russian Alphabet (Cyrillic)
The Russian alphabet consists of 33 letters. Learning to pronounce each letter correctly is the foundation of speaking Russian.
А [a]
Pronounced like the 'a' in "father"
Б [b]
Pronounced like the 'b' in "bed"
В [v]
Pronounced like the 'v' in "very"
Essential Vocabulary for Conversations
These common words and phrases will help you communicate with friends, family, and romantic partners.
Привет [pree-vyet]
Meaning: Hello (informal)
Друг [droog]
Meaning: Friend
Любовь [lyoo-bov']
Meaning: Love
Common Phrases for Social Interactions
These phrases will help you navigate social situations with friends, family, and romantic partners.
Как тебя зовут? [kak tee-bya za-voot]
Meaning: What's your name?
Очень приятно. [o-chen pree-yat-na]
Meaning: Nice to meet you.
Я тебя люблю. [ya tee-bya lyub-lyu]
Meaning: I love you.
Pronunciation Tips
Stress Patterns
Russian words typically have one stressed syllable, which is pronounced more prominently. The stress can fall on any syllable and is not marked in standard writing. Learning the correct stress is crucial for proper pronunciation.
Consonant Softening
Many Russian consonants can be either "hard" or "soft" (palatalized). Soft consonants are pronounced with the middle of the tongue raised toward the hard palate, giving them a "y" quality.
Vowel Reduction
Unstressed vowels in Russian often change their sound. For example, unstressed 'o' is pronounced more like 'a'. This is called vowel reduction.
Practice Daily
Consistent practice is key to mastering Russian pronunciation. Try to spend at least 15-20 minutes daily repeating words and phrases aloud.