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

# Russian Cursive С с (Es): How to Write It

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

Cursive с is a small open curve, identical to a handwritten Latin c. It sits between the baseline and the midline. Always a voiceless s as in "sun", never the z sound English sometimes gives s.

Reading time: about 1 min.

Sound

/s/, written s

Letter name

эс

Often confused with

е, Latin c

## Turn this guide into words you can use

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

Сс

С с · эс · /s/

## Sound

Always a voiceless s as in "sun", never the z sound English sometimes gives s.

## How to write cursive с, step by step

1.  Start just below the midline on the right with a tiny hook or dot of ink.
2.  Curve up and to the left over the top.
3.  Sweep down the left side to the baseline.
4.  Finish with a short upward exit stroke to the right to meet the next letter.

## The capital С

Capital С is simply a larger open curve, often started with a small loop or hook at the top.

## How it connects to other letters

с joins easily on the right; the previous letter's exit stroke runs up to the top of the curve, so writers add a small connecting loop there.

## Letters it is confused with

-   с / е: е is the same curve with a closed loop inside; с stays open. A loose loop in fast handwriting can turn е into something that looks like с.
    
-   с / Latin c: Same shape as Latin c, but it is always pronounced s, never k: сок is "sok".
    

## Example words in cursive

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

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | Transliteration | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| стакан | стакан | stakán | glass (for drinking) |
| сестра | сестра | sestrá | sister |
| собака | собака | sobáka | dog |
| лес | лес | les | forest |

## Common mistakes

-   Pronouncing it as k, as in English "cat".
-   Closing the curve so it reads as о.

## 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/es