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

# Russian Cursive З з (Ze): How to Write It

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

Cursive з looks like the numeral 3 with its lower half dropping below the baseline into a loop. The descender is what separates it from э and е. A voiced "z" as in "zoo"; at the end of a word it sounds like "s".

Reading time: about 2 min.

Sound

/z/, written z

Letter name

зэ

Often confused with

э, Latin z

## Turn this guide into words you can use

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

Зз

З з · зэ · /z/

## Sound

A voiced "z" as in "zoo"; at the end of a word it sounds like "s".

## How to write cursive з, step by step

1.  Start near the top of the x-height with a small arc open to the left.
2.  Bring the arc back to the middle, forming the upper half of a 3.
3.  Swing the lower half out to the right and down below the baseline.
4.  Loop back to the left and up, crossing at the baseline, then exit to the right.

## The capital З

Capital З is a large 3 whose lower bowl hangs below the baseline in a loop, the same motion as the lowercase but taller.

## How it connects to other letters

The lower loop brings the pen back to the baseline, so з connects forward smoothly. Coming in, the connector reaches the top left start of the arc.

## Letters it is confused with

-   з / э: э sits on the baseline and has a small middle tick; з has no tick and plunges below the line.
    
-   з / Latin z: A handwritten English z with a tail looks very similar. In Russian it is з, which happens to sound like z as well.
    

## Example words in cursive

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

Example words in cursive
| Cursive | Print | Transliteration | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| зима | зима | zimá | winter |
| звезда | звезда | zvezdá | star |
| глаз | глаз | glaz | eye |
| роза | роза | róza | rose |

## Common mistakes

-   Stopping the lower half on the baseline, which turns з into a 3 that readers may take for э.
-   Drawing a sharp zigzag like a printed z instead of two rounded arcs.

## 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/ze