Meet the Belarusian alphabet
Belarusian uses a Cyrillic-based alphabet with 32 letters. Some will look familiar if you know Russian or Ukrainian, but the sounds are not always the same. For example, the letter H sound is written with the character Г, and Belarusian has special letters І and Ў that English speakers actually find friendly.
Do not worry about perfect phonetics at first. Learn to recognize each shape, say a simple sound for it, and write it by hand. A one-page pdf alphabet chart on your desk plus quick online practice is all a beginner needs to get moving.
- 32 letters total (vowels and consonants plus the soft sign ь).
- І i is a dotted i (like ee in see).
- Ў ў is a short u that sounds like English w.
- Г г is an h sound, not a hard g.
- Ё ё is always pronounced yo and is never silent.
Pronunciation basics for beginners
Match each letter to a simple English anchor. It will not be perfect, but it gets you reading fast. Focus on clear, short vowels and crisp consonants. Belarusian spelling is quite consistent, which helps beginners learn quickly.
Say letters out loud while tracing them. Then read tiny syllables (ma, me, mi, mo, mu), then short words. Keep sessions short and frequent for better learning.
- А a like a in father.
- Э e like e in bed (not like English e in he).
- І i like ee in see.
- Ы y is a central vowel between i and u (smile less than for ee).
- Ж zh like s in measure.
- Х kh like German Bach or Scottish loch.
Vowels, consonants, and softness
Some vowels are iotated (ya, ye, yo, yu) and can soften the consonant before them. These are Я, Е, Ё, Ю. The letter І also softens the preceding consonant. If a word starts with these vowels, you will hear a y sound plus the vowel (ya, ye, yo, yu).
The soft sign ь does not have its own sound. It only softens the consonant before it. As a beginner, mark softness lightly and keep moving; clarity matters more than perfect finesse at A1.
- After a consonant, Я often means softened consonant plus a (like n + ya).
- At word start, Е is ye (as in yellow).
- І i both gives i and softens the consonant before it.
- Ь marks softness when no iotated vowel follows.
Unique letters and common pitfalls
Belarusian looks close to Russian, but do not copy Russian sounds. The biggest differences for beginners are the letters Г, І, Ў, and the vowel pair Э vs Е. Learn these first and you will avoid most mistakes.
Also note that spelling and sound match well, but stress still matters. If a word feels odd, try moving the stress and the pronunciation often clicks.
- Г г is h (not g).
- Ў ў is w as in cow (aw sound plus w glide).
- І vs Ы: І is like ee, Ы is a more central vowel.
- Э e is plain e (bed), Е e is ye or softened e.
- Ё is always pronounced yo and is written with two dots.
A simple 7-day practice plan (free, online, or PDF)
Consistency beats intensity. Use a free pdf alphabet sheet and 10-minute online drills. Write by hand, read out loud, and do tiny daily checks. Aim for 100 neat handwritten letters by the end of the week.
Mix recognition, sound, and writing. Add one or two mini lessons a day, then review yesterday’s set. Keep it light and fun so beginner motivation stays high.
- Day 1: Learn 6 easy letters (A, M, T, O, K, С) and write 30 symbols.
- Day 2: Add І, Н, Р, Л, У, Ў and read simple syllables.
- Day 3: Add Е, Э, Ё, Ю, Я and practice softness.
- Day 4: Add Ж, Ч, Ш, Ц and read short words aloud.
- Day 5: Add Х, Г, Ф, Й and record yourself for feedback.
- Day 6–7: Review all 32 letters, write 100 characters, and do two short online reading lessons.
FAQ
- How many letters are in the Belarusian alphabet?
- There are 32 letters, including the soft sign ь. Unique ones include І i and Ў short u.
- Is the Belarusian alphabet hard for English speakers?
- It is very learnable. Clear spelling helps, and several letters map neatly to English sounds for beginners.
- Can I learn it online for free?
- Yes. Use free online flashcards, alphabet quizzes, and short beginner lessons. Combine with a printable pdf chart.
- What is the difference between Belarusian and Russian letters?
- Key differences are sounds for Г h instead of g, the letters І and Ў, and how vowels like Е and Э work.
- How long until I can read simple words?
- Many learners decode basic words in a week with daily practice. Aim for 10 minutes a day and 100 handwritten letters.