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

# Russian Cursive Т т (Te): How to Write It

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

Cursive т looks like a handwritten Latin m: three downstrokes joined by arches at the top. In adult handwriting a short bar is often drawn above it to separate it from ш. A crisp t with the tongue against the upper teeth and no puff of air.

Reading time: about 2 min.

Sound

/t/, written t

Letter name

тэ

Often confused with

ш, Latin m

## Turn this guide into words you can use

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

Тт

Т т · тэ · /t/

## Sound

A crisp t with the tongue against the upper teeth and no puff of air.

## How to write cursive т, step by step

1.  Draw a short upward lead-in, then a downstroke from the midline to the baseline.
2.  Retrace up and make a rounded arch to the right, coming down to the baseline.
3.  Make a second identical arch and downstroke.
4.  Finish with a small exit hook at the baseline; optionally add a short bar above the letter.

## The capital Т

Capital Т in cursive looks like a large script m with rounded tops; some people write it as a print-like T with a wavy top bar.

## How it connects to other letters

т connects on both sides like m. Before и or ш the humps run together, which is why the bar on top matters in real handwriting.

## Letters it is confused with

-   т / ш: ш is three pointed downstrokes joined at the bottom (like w); т has rounded arches joined at the top (like m). Bars: above for т, below for ш.
    
-   т / Latin m: It looks like m but sounds t: тот in cursive can look like "mom" to an English reader.
    

## Example words in cursive

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

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | Transliteration | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| тут | тут | tut | here |
| туман | туман | tumán | fog |
| театр | театр | teátr | theatre |
| тетрадь | тетрадь | tetrád' | notebook |

## Common mistakes

-   Writing the print shape Т inside cursive words, which breaks the connections.
-   Reading it as m because of its shape.
-   Leaving out the bar when it sits next to ш or и, making the word unreadable.

## 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/te