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

# Russian Cursive Е е (Ye): How to Write It

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

Cursive е is a small loop, identical to a handwritten Latin e. Capital Е looks like a backward 3 or a script Latin E. Sounds like "ye" in "yes" at the start of a word or after a vowel, and softens the consonant before it otherwise.

Reading time: about 2 min.

Sound

/je/, written ye

Letter name

е

Often confused with

ё, э

## Turn this guide into words you can use

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

Ее

Е е · е · /je/

## Sound

Sounds like "ye" in "yes" at the start of a word or after a vowel, and softens the consonant before it otherwise.

## How to write cursive е, step by step

1.  Start at about half the x-height and move up and to the right.
2.  Curve over the top and down the left side in a narrow loop.
3.  Round the bottom and finish with a stroke rising to the right.

## The capital Е

Capital Е is two stacked arcs open to the right, like a reversed 3, often with a small loop where the arcs meet. It is the same shape as a script Latin E.

## How it connects to other letters

е joins on both sides without lifting. Because its exit stroke rises, the next letter starts from mid-height.

## Letters it is confused with

-   е / ё: ё is the same loop with two dots. Many adults skip the dots, so context often decides between е and ё.
    
-   е / э: э is open on the left and has a small tick in the middle; е is a closed loop.
    

## Example words in cursive

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

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | Transliteration | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| лето | лето | léto | summer |
| небо | небо | nébo | sky |
| место | место | mésto | place |
| есть | есть | yest' | to eat |

## Common mistakes

-   Making the loop so flat that it disappears and the letter reads as а or и.
-   Writing the capital as a printed Е with three bars, which looks stiff in handwriting.

## 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/ye