Russian Vowel Pronunciation – Lecture Notes Review

10 vocabulary-style flashcards covering each Russian vowel discussed in the lecture and its French-based pronunciation cue.

А а

Pronounced [a] like the “a” in the French word “arbre” (tree).

Я я

Pronounced [ya] like “ya” in the word “yak.”

О о

Pronounced an open [o] like the “o” in the French word “port.”

Ё ё

Pronounced [yo] like the “yo” in the French word “kiosque.”

Э э

Pronounced a closed [ô] with rounded lips, similar to the “o” in the French word “mot.”

Е е

Pronounced [yô] (or soft “yo”) as in “Yoda.”

У у

Equivalent to the French sound [ou] as in “doux.”

Ю ю

Pronounced [you] like “you” in “Yougoslavie.”

Ы ы

A difficult vowel: makes a sound close to French [eu] but with the mouth almost closed and lips stretched, somewhat like “mieux.”

И и

Pronounced [i] like the “i” in the French word “prairie.”