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

# Russian Cursive М м (Em): How to Write It

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

Cursive м is л with one more stroke: a hook on the baseline, then two pointed peaks. It never looks like the English cursive m, which in Russian handwriting is т. An "m" as in "mother".

Reading time: about 2 min.

Sound

/m/, written m

Letter name

эм

Often confused with

т, л

## Turn this guide into words you can use

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

Мм

М м · эм · /m/

## Sound

An "m" as in "mother".

## How to write cursive м, step by step

1.  Start on the baseline with the small left hook, as for л.
2.  Rise to the x-height and come down to the baseline in a straight stroke.
3.  Go back up to the x-height, making a second sharp peak.
4.  Come down a third time and exit with a hook to the right.

## The capital М

Capital М looks like a handwritten Latin M that starts with a hook at the baseline: two tall pointed peaks with a dip in the middle.

## How it connects to other letters

Like л, м takes its connection through the entry hook, so the previous letter runs straight into it. The final stroke joins forward at the baseline.

## Letters it is confused with

-   м / т: Lowercase т is written like an English m with rounded tops. м has pointed tops and the baseline hook. Rounded means т, pointed means м.
    
-   м / л: Same entry, one peak fewer. If you see only one point after the hook, it is л.
    

## Example words in cursive

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

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | Transliteration | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| мост | мост | most | bridge |
| сумка | сумка | súmka | bag |
| музыка | музыка | múzyka | music |
| семья | семья | sem'yá | family |

## Common mistakes

-   Writing an English cursive m for м, which Russians read as т.
-   Leaving out the hook so м merges into neighbouring и or ш strokes.

## 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/em