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

# Russian Cursive Э э (E): How to Write It

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

Cursive э is a backward c with a short horizontal bar in the middle, like a mirrored е. It is mostly found at the start of words and in loanwords. A plain open e as in "met", without the y-glide that е has.

Reading time: about 2 min.

Sound

/e/, written e

Letter name

э

Often confused with

е, з

## Turn this guide into words you can use

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

Ээ

Э э · э · /e/

## Sound

A plain open e as in "met", without the y-glide that е has.

## How to write cursive э, step by step

1.  Start at the top left with a small hook or dot just below the midline.
2.  Curve up and around to the right, like the back of a reversed c.
3.  Sweep down to the baseline and finish curving left.
4.  Add a short horizontal bar from the middle of the curve pointing inward.

## The capital Э

Capital Э is the same reversed curve enlarged, with a bar in the middle; it is common, since many words begin with э.

## How it connects to other letters

The curve opens to the left, so э connects poorly from the previous letter; writers usually lift the pen before it and join after it from the bottom.

## Letters it is confused with

-   э / е: е opens to the right with a loop; э opens to the left with a bar. Compare это (э) with еда (е).
    
-   э / з: Cursive з also bulges to the right but has a long descender; э stays on the line.
    

## Example words in cursive

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

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | Transliteration | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| это | это | éto | this, that is |
| этаж | этаж | etázh | floor, storey |
| поэт | поэт | poét | poet |
| экран | экран | ekrán | screen |

## Common mistakes

-   Leaving out the middle bar, so it reads as a reversed с.
-   Adding a y-sound as with е.

## 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/e