---
title: "Russian Cursive Б б (Be): How to Write It"
description: "How to write Б б (Be) in Russian cursive: stroke order, how it joins, how to tell it from в, д, and 4 example words with audio."
canonical: "https://dailycyrillic.com/learn/russian-cursive/be"
lang: "en"
published: "2026-10-25T11:07:25.000Z"
modified: "2026-10-31T11:50:40.000Z"
author: "Daily Cyrillic"
---

# Russian Cursive Б б (Be): How to Write It

By [Daily Cyrillic](/about) · Updated 31 Oct 2026

Cursive б looks like the numeral 6 or a Greek delta: a round bowl with a stem that rises above the x-height and curls to the right. It is one of the few lowercase letters with an ascender. A "b" as in "boy"; at the end of a word it is devoiced to "p".

Reading time: about 2 min.

Sound

/b/, written b

Letter name

бэ

Often confused with

в, д

## Turn this guide into words you can use

Build a free Russian set for this topic, with examples and ElevenLabs AI audio.

Бб

Б б · бэ · /b/

## Sound

A "b" as in "boy"; at the end of a word it is devoiced to "p".

## How to write cursive б, step by step

1.  Start at the top right of the x-height and draw a small round bowl counterclockwise.
2.  Close the bowl and keep going up the right side, past the x-height toward the top line.
3.  At the top, curve the stroke to the right in a short flick, like a flag.
4.  Exit from the bowl at the bottom right if another letter follows.

## The capital Б

Capital Б has a tall left stem with a wavy bar across the top and a bowl at the bottom right, so it reads like a script B whose upper loop has been flattened into a flag.

## How it connects to other letters

Because the stem ends high, Russians often lift the pen after б or connect from the bottom of the bowl. Do not drag the top flag down into the next letter.

## Letters it is confused with

-   б / в: в also rises above the x-height, but it starts with a tall loop on the left and ends in a small bowl; б has its bowl first and its flag at the top.
    
-   б / д: The ∂ form of д also has a bowl and a curling stem; in д the stem leans back to the left, in б it flicks forward to the right.
    

## Example words in cursive

Read the cursive word first, then check the print form and meaning.

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | Transliteration | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| брат | брат | brat | brother |
| хлеб | хлеб | khleb | bread |
| бабушка | бабушка | bábushka | grandmother |
| банк | банк | bank | bank |

## Common mistakes

-   Writing the stem at x-height only, which turns б into а or о.
-   Curling the top to the left so the letter reads as a mirrored 6.

## Turn this guide into words you can use

Build a free Russian set for this topic, with examples and ElevenLabs AI audio.

[Full Russian cursive chart](/learn/russian-cursive)

## Keep practising

-   [
    
    Full Russian cursive chart
    
    All 33 letters in print and cursive, how to read handwriting, and a printable worksheet.
    
    ](/learn/russian-cursive)
-   [
    
    The Russian Alphabet
    
    Every printed letter with its name, sound and audio.
    
    ](/learn/russian-alphabet)
-   [
    
    Russian Alphabet Trainer
    
    Quiz yourself on letters and sounds, free and without sign-up.
    
    ](/tools/russian-alphabet-trainer)

Source: https://dailycyrillic.com/learn/russian-cursive/be