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

# Russian Cursive Ш ш (Sha): How to Write It

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

Cursive ш is three pointed downstrokes joined at the bottom, like a handwritten w with straight sides. In adult handwriting a short line is often drawn under it to tell it apart from т. A hard, low sh, deeper than English "sh", with the tongue pulled back.

Reading time: about 2 min.

Sound

/ʂ/, written sh

Letter name

ша

Often confused with

т, и

## Turn this guide into words you can use

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

Шш

Ш ш · ша · /ʂ/

## Sound

A hard, low sh, deeper than English "sh", with the tongue pulled back.

## How to write cursive ш, step by step

1.  Draw a downstroke from the midline that curves right at the baseline.
2.  Go up to the midline and make a second downstroke with the same curve.
3.  Go up again and make a third downstroke.
4.  Exit from the baseline; optionally add a short line underneath the letter.

## The capital Ш

Capital Ш is three tall strokes joined at the bottom, usually started with a small curl on the first stroke.

## How it connects to other letters

ш joins smoothly on both sides, which is exactly why runs like ши or шли become a row of identical strokes. Count strokes carefully.

## Letters it is confused with

-   ш / т: т joins its strokes with arches at the top (like m); ш joins them at the bottom (like w). The line below marks ш, the bar above marks т.
    
-   ш / и: и has two downstrokes, ш has three. In words like шит, count every stroke to split the letters.
    

## Example words in cursive

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

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | Transliteration | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| школа | школа | shkóla | school |
| шапка | шапка | shápka | hat, cap |
| машина | машина | mashína | car |
| душ | душ | dush | shower |

## Common mistakes

-   Writing four strokes or two, which turns ш into a different letter combination.
-   Rounding the tops like m, which makes it read as т.

## 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/sha