Russian Cursive Л л (El): How to Write It
By Daily Cyrillic · Updated
Cursive л begins with a small hook on the baseline, rises to a point at x-height and comes down a second straight stroke, like a Greek lambda with a little foot. That entry hook is its signature. A dark "l" as in "full"; before е, ё, и, ю, я or ь it becomes a soft, lighter l.
Reading time: about 2 min.
- Sound
- /l/, written l
- Letter name
- эль
- Often confused with
- м, и
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Sound
A dark "l" as in "full"; before е, ё, и, ю, я or ь it becomes a soft, lighter l.
How to write cursive л, step by step
- Start on the baseline with a tiny hook curving left, as if drawing a small foot.
- Rise in a slanted curve up to the x-height.
- Come straight down a slanted stroke to the baseline.
- Finish with a small hook to the right.
The capital Л
Capital Л is a tall version of the same shape: a curved left stroke starting from a hook at the baseline, meeting a straight right stroke at the top, like a Greek Λ.
How it connects to other letters
The entry hook is also where the previous letter connects, so л never needs a pen lift. The exit hook joins the next letter at the baseline.
Letters it is confused with
л / м: м starts with the same hook but adds a third stroke, so it has two points on top. Count the points: one for л, two for м.
л / и: и has its curve at the bottom like a u, while л has its point at the top. In лиса the shapes sit side by side.
Example words in cursive
Read the cursive word first, then check the print form and meaning.
| Cursive | Transliteration | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| лампа | лампа | lámpa | lamp |
| стол | стол | stol | table |
| луна | луна | luná | moon |
| молоко | молоко | molokó | milk |
Common mistakes
- Skipping the entry hook, so л turns into an upside-down v that readers take for и.
- Rounding the top like an n, which reads as п.
Turn this guide into words you can use
Build a free Russian set for this topic, with examples and ElevenLabs AI audio.