Spelling Rules

There are 4 spelling rules in Russian, which you should remember. These rules explain many of the irregularities of Russian nouns, pronouns and adjectives, and also in the conjugation of Russian verbs.

Rule 1

After the letters Ж, Ш, Щ, Ч, Г, К, Х - instead of Ы write И

Examples: жира́ф, ши́шка, щи́колотка, чиж, кни́ги, хи́жина, ру́ки, кро́хи

Rule 2

After the letters Ж, Ш, Щ, Ч, Г, К, Х, Ц - instead of Ю write У

Examples: жу́ткий, шум, чу́вство, щу́ка, прощу́

Rule 3

After the letters Ж, Ш, Щ, Ч, Г, К, Х, Ц - instead of Я write А

Examples: жаль, лапша́, площа́дка, свеча́, ца́пля

Rule 4

After the letters Ж, Ш, Щ, Ч, Ц - instead of unstressed О write Е

Examples: о́вощем, коло́дцем, бо́льшего

Remember

When replacing Ь, Й, Я - always use И never Ы