Backwards R and More! Russian Letters You’ll Love
One of the first things kids notice about Russian is that some of the letters look totally different—like a backwards R! The Russian alphabet, called Cyrillic, has letters that might look funny at first, but they quickly become favorites. Why? Because they feel like secret code letters and sound just as fun as they look.
What’s with That Backwards R?
That letter is actually Я, and it sounds like “ya” in English, like in yard or yarn. There’s also В, which looks like a B but sounds like “v”, and Н, which looks like an H but sounds like “n”. These surprising letter shapes make learning Russian feel like solving a mystery.
This curiosity boosts motivation kids want to know what all these cool shapes mean!
Meet Your New Favorite Letters
Some Cyrillic letters match the English alphabet, and others look different but are easy to learn:
- А = A (same sound)
- М = M (same sound)
- Р = R (sounds like “r” but looks like P!)
- У = U (sounds like “oo” in moon)
Recognizing these shapes helps kids read simple Russian words early on. Plus, the visual differences make each discovery more fun.
Creative Activities to Try
Letter Look-Alike Match
Write out English letters on one side and Cyrillic ones on the other. Let kids match the letters that sound the same, even if they look different.
Make Your Own Russian Alphabet Poster
Give your child art supplies and let them draw each Russian letter alongside its sound and a matching image. For example: Я – ya – picture of yarn!
Programs like Dinolingo introduce these letters through songs, games, and cartoon stories. That way, kids get used to the alphabet while having fun without even realizing they’re learning something new.
Source: