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

# Russian Cursive Л л (El): How to Write It

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

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

## Turn this guide into words you can use

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

Лл

Л л · эль · /l/

## 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

1.  Start on the baseline with a tiny hook curving left, as if drawing a small foot.
2.  Rise in a slanted curve up to the x-height.
3.  Come straight down a slanted stroke to the baseline.
4.  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.

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | 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.

[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/el