Differentiating between sounds/pronunciation
How do you know when to use А versus Я, О vesus Ё, and У versus Ю?
Examples: Мама, Няня, Дядя, Папа

Question

Differentiating between sounds/pronunciation
How do you know when to use А versus Я, О vesus Ё, and У versus Ю?
Examples: Мама, Няня, Дядя, Папа

Answer

We pronounce "я", "е", "ё", "ю" if 
1) it follows after other vowel. For example: Баю-бай, лаю, даю, делаю, баян,
2) it follows after hard or soft sign ("ъ" and "ь"). Examples: бью, изъян, Илья.
3) if is the first letter: ёлка, ель, юла

We pronounce А versus Я, Э versus Е, О vesus Ё, and У versus Ю if it follows after consonants (and the consonant get softness): сядь, белка, грелка, люди.

Answers · 1

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