Russian Spelling Rules

There are certain rules associated with spelling in Russian. It's helpful to know the letter combinations when trying to figure out how to spell a word.

*all stressed vowels are bolded on this page (if more than one syllable exists)

Hard vs Soft Vowels

The vowels in Russian are considered either "soft" or "hard" based on how the consonant preceeding them is changed. Each sound has a hard and soft version:

Additionally, the hard sign (Ъ) and soft sign (Ь) can also be used to harden or soften consonants, although the hard sign really just indiates a "break"in the word. For example съезд (exit/ramp) is pronounced "s'yezd." An example of the use of the soft sign is "кресло" (recliner/sofa) vs "письмо" (letter). The "c" is "hard" in the first word, but "soft" in the second word because it is followed by Ь. 

Examples of hard vs soft vowels:

In the word время (time), the m is soft, meaning instead of being pronounced "vrema" it's pronounced "vremya." In contrast, when an A is used instead of an я, the consonant is hard. The word "мaмa" is prounounced the same as in English (mama) instead of "mamya."

Knowing which vowels are "soft" and which are "hard" will help you with the next set of spelling rules.

Ы versus И (aka the "7 consonant rule")

The letter Ы is restricted in use after some consonants:

Only И should be used after: Г, К, Х, Ш, Щ, Ж, Ч (never use Ы after these letters)

Ы and И can be used after all other consonants. This rule is important when trying to figure out how to pluralize nouns ending with consonants. In the nominative case, you add either Ы or И. (See Learn Russian Nouns: Nominative Case)

А versus Я (the "7 consonant rule" + Ц)

The letter Я is restricted in use after some consonants:

Only А should be used after: Г, К, Х, Ш, Щ, Ж, Ч, Ц (never use Я after these letters)

Я and A can be used after all other consonants. Notice how the letter Ц is added in this rule (it's not included in rule 1)

У versus Ю (the "7 consonant rule" + Ц)

The letter Ю is restricted in use after some consonants:

Only У should be used after: Г, К, Х, Ш, Щ, Ж, Ч, Ц (never use Ю after these letters)

Ю and У can be used after all other consonants. Notice how the letter Ц is also included in this rule (it's not included in rule 1)

Й Usage

The letter Й is considered a "semi-vowel." It makes a hard "Y" sound just like the letter "Y" does in the English language (e.g. monkey). For example "Андрей" is pronounced "Andrei" with a "y" sound at the end.

Unlike the English "y" however, it is never used on it's own with consonants as a vowel. It is usual preceded by a vowel and always makes the same hard "y" sound. For example "пойти" (to go) is pronounced "poytee." (emphasis on the last syllable)

One important rule to remember about the й is that it can not be followed by a vowel. Instead, a soft vowel is used in it's place. For example, if noun ends with й, and you want to make it possessive (genitive case) by adding a "a", you would instead add the "soft" version of the "a": instead of Андрейa, you'd make it Андрея.

There are a few exceptions however, when Й is followed by a vowel, such as at the beginning of a word. Most of these words are foreign in origin, though, such as йога (yoga), which could just as easily be spelled "Ёга," but looks more authentic if spelled the "foreign" way.

О vs Е usage (aka "5 consonant rule")

After the 5 consonants ш, щ, ж, ч, and ц, an "o" cannot be used if the syllable is not stressed, and an "e" should be used instead. For example, in свежесть (freshness), the syllable containing the ж is not stressed, so an e is used after it (although it is pronounced almost the same as an unstressed "o"). On the other hand, in the word обжора (glutton), the syllable containing the ж is stressed, and therefore a "o" follows the ж.

On the converse, an "e" can be used following these 5 consonants if the syllable is stressed, such as in the name Женя, where the ж is followed by an e by is stressed at the same time.