{"id":5371,"date":"2026-05-25T09:56:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T07:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/courses\/russian-alphabet\/lessons\/lesson-3-false-fiends\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T16:15:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T14:15:04","slug":"lesson-3-false-fiends","status":"publish","type":"lesson","link":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/en\/courses\/russian-alphabet\/lessons\/lesson-3-false-fiends\/","title":{"rendered":"Lesson 3. False fiends."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Russian Alphabet \u00b7 Lesson 3 of 4 \u00b7 Level A1 \u00b7 60 min<\/p>\n

\n\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 ENGLISH<\/summary>\n
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\u26a0 False friends \u2014 same shape, DIFFERENT sound<\/div>\n

These 8 letters look exactly like Latin letters \u2014 but sound completely different. This is where most beginners make mistakes. Learn them carefully and you will avoid months of bad habits.<\/p>\n

Memory trick:<\/strong> Every time you see \u0412 \u041d \u0420 \u0421 \u0423 \u0425 \u042c \u0417 \u2014 say the Russian sound OUT LOUD immediately. Override your Latin instinct!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0412 \u2014 looks like “B”, sounds \/v\/<\/div>\n

Like “v” in victory<\/em>. NOT “b”.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong> \u0432\u043e\u0442 (here is) \u00b7 \u0432\u043e\u0434\u0430\u0301 (water) \u00b7 \u0412\u043b\u0430\u0434\u0438\u0301\u043c\u0438\u0440<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u041d \u2014 looks like “H”, sounds \/n\/<\/div>\n

Like “n” in no<\/em>. NOT “h”.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong> \u043d\u0435\u0442 (no) \u00b7 \u043d\u043e\u0441 (nose) \u00b7 \u043e\u043d\u0430\u0301 (she)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0420 \u2014 looks like “P”, sounds \/r\/ \u2014 TRILLED!<\/div>\n

A rolled R \u2014 tongue tip vibrates against the ridge behind your upper teeth. Warm-up: \u0442\u0440-\u0442\u0440-\u0442\u0440 \u2192 \u0442\u0440\u0440 \u2192 \u0440<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong> \u0440\u043e\u0442 (mouth) \u00b7 \u0440\u044b\u0301\u0431\u0430 (fish) \u00b7 \u0420\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0438\u0301\u044f. Practice 5 minutes daily!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0421 \u2014 looks like “C”, sounds \/s\/<\/div>\n

Like “s” in sun<\/em>. NOT “c” or “k”.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong> \u0441\u043e\u043a (juice) \u00b7 \u0441\u0443\u043f (soup) \u00b7 \u0421\u0430\u043d\u043a\u0442-\u041f\u0435\u0442\u0435\u0440\u0431\u0443\u0301\u0440\u0433<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0423 \u2014 looks like “Y”, sounds \/u\/<\/div>\n

Like “oo” in moon<\/em>. NOT “y”.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong> \u0443\u043c (mind) \u00b7 \u0443\u0301\u0442\u0440\u043e (morning) \u00b7 \u0443\u0301\u043b\u0438\u0446\u0430 (street)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0425 \u2014 looks like “X”, sounds \/x\/<\/div>\n

Like the Scottish “ch” in loch<\/em>, or German Bach<\/em>. NOT “x” or “ks”.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong> \u0445\u043b\u0435\u0431 (bread) \u00b7 \u0445\u043e\u0301\u043b\u043e\u0434 (cold) \u00b7 \u0445\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0448\u043e\u0301 (good\/well)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u042c \u2014 looks like “b”, it’s the soft sign<\/div>\n

No sound of its own \u2014 but softens the consonant before it. Changes meaning!<\/p>\n

Compare:<\/strong> \u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442 (brother) vs. \u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u044c (to take) \u2014 same letters, different meaning. The \u042c makes all the difference.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0417 \u2014 looks like “3”, sounds \/z\/<\/div>\n

Like “z” in zero<\/em>. NOT “3”.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong> \u0437\u0438\u043c\u0430\u0301 (winter) \u00b7 \u0437\u0432\u0435\u0437\u0434\u0430\u0301 (star) \u00b7 \u0437\u0430\u0432\u043e\u0301\u0434 (factory)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Exercises & Homework<\/div>\n

Ex. 1<\/strong> \u2014 Write the Russian sound for each: \u0412\u2192 \u00b7 \u041d\u2192 \u00b7 \u0420\u2192 \u00b7 \u0421\u2192 \u00b7 \u0423\u2192 \u00b7 \u0425\u2192 \u00b7 \u042c\u2192 \u00b7 \u0417\u2192<\/p>\n

Ex. 2<\/strong> \u2014 Read aloud \u2014 think Russian, not Latin: \u0432\u043e\u0442 \u00b7 \u043d\u0435\u0442 \u00b7 \u0440\u043e\u0442 \u00b7 \u0441\u043e\u043a \u00b7 \u0443\u043c \u00b7 \u0445\u043b\u0435\u0431 \u00b7 \u0442\u044b \u00b7 \u0437\u0438\u043c\u0430\u0301<\/p>\n

Ex. 3 \u2014 Tongue twister:<\/strong> \u0428\u043b\u0430 \u0421\u0430\u0301\u0448\u0430 \u043f\u043e \u0448\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0435\u0301 \u0438 \u0441\u043e\u0441\u0430\u0301\u043b\u0430 \u0441\u0443\u0301\u0448\u043a\u0443.<\/em> (Sasha walked down the road sucking a cracker.)<\/p>\n

Homework:<\/strong> Write all 8 false friends with their real sounds. Practice \u0420 trill 5 min daily \u2014 record yourself. Find 3 Russian words for each false friend.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 FRAN\u00c7AIS<\/summary>\n
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\u26a0 Faux amis \u2014 m\u00eame forme, SON DIFF\u00c9RENT<\/div>\n

Ces 8 lettres ressemblent exactement aux lettres latines \u2014 mais sonnent compl\u00e8tement diff\u00e9remment. C’est l\u00e0 que la plupart des d\u00e9butants font des erreurs. Apprenez-les soigneusement.<\/p>\n

Astuce :<\/strong> Chaque fois que vous voyez \u0412 \u041d \u0420 \u0421 \u0423 \u0425 \u042c \u0417 \u2014 dites imm\u00e9diatement le son russe \u00c0 VOIX HAUTE. R\u00e9sistez \u00e0 l’instinct latin !<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0412 \u2014 ressemble \u00e0 “B”, se prononce \/v\/<\/div>\n

Comme “v” dans vie<\/em>. PAS “b”.<\/p>\n

Exemples :<\/strong> \u0432\u043e\u0442 (voici) \u00b7 \u0432\u043e\u0434\u0430\u0301 (eau) \u00b7 \u0412\u043b\u0430\u0434\u0438\u0301\u043c\u0438\u0440<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u041d \u2014 ressemble \u00e0 “H”, se prononce \/n\/<\/div>\n

Comme “n” dans non<\/em>. PAS “h”.<\/p>\n

Exemples :<\/strong> \u043d\u0435\u0442 (non) \u00b7 \u043d\u043e\u0441 (nez) \u00b7 \u043e\u043d\u0430\u0301 (elle)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0420 \u2014 ressemble \u00e0 “P”, se prononce \/r\/ \u2014 ROUL\u00c9 !<\/div>\n

Un R roul\u00e9 \u2014 la pointe de la langue vibre contre la cr\u00eate alv\u00e9olaire. Diff\u00e9rent du R fran\u00e7ais ! \u00c9chauffement : \u0442\u0440-\u0442\u0440-\u0442\u0440 \u2192 \u0442\u0440\u0440 \u2192 \u0440<\/p>\n

Exemples :<\/strong> \u0440\u043e\u0442 (bouche) \u00b7 \u0440\u044b\u0301\u0431\u0430 (poisson) \u00b7 \u0420\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0438\u0301\u044f. Pratiquez 5 minutes par jour !<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0421 \u2014 ressemble \u00e0 “C”, se prononce \/s\/<\/div>\n

Comme “s” dans soleil<\/em>. PAS “c” ou “k”.<\/p>\n

Exemples :<\/strong> \u0441\u043e\u043a (jus) \u00b7 \u0441\u0443\u043f (soupe) \u00b7 \u0421\u0430\u043d\u043a\u0442-\u041f\u0435\u0442\u0435\u0440\u0431\u0443\u0301\u0440\u0433<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0423 \u2014 ressemble \u00e0 “Y”, se prononce \/u\/<\/div>\n

Comme “ou” dans loup<\/em>. PAS “y”.<\/p>\n

Exemples :<\/strong> \u0443\u043c (esprit) \u00b7 \u0443\u0301\u0442\u0440\u043e (matin) \u00b7 \u0443\u0301\u043b\u0438\u0446\u0430 (rue)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0425 \u2014 ressemble \u00e0 “X”, se prononce \/x\/<\/div>\n

Comme un R grassey\u00e9 sourd du fond de la gorge. PAS “x” ou “ks”.<\/p>\n

Exemples :<\/strong> \u0445\u043b\u0435\u0431 (pain) \u00b7 \u0445\u043e\u0301\u043b\u043e\u0434 (froid) \u00b7 \u0445\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0448\u043e\u0301 (bien)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u042c \u2014 ressemble \u00e0 “b”, c’est le signe doux<\/div>\n

Pas de son propre \u2014 adoucit la consonne pr\u00e9c\u00e9dente. Change le sens !<\/p>\n

Comparer :<\/strong> \u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442 (fr\u00e8re) vs. \u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u044c (prendre) \u2014 m\u00eames lettres, sens diff\u00e9rent. Le \u042c fait toute la diff\u00e9rence.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u0417 \u2014 ressemble \u00e0 “3”, se prononce \/z\/<\/div>\n

Comme “z” dans z\u00e9ro<\/em>. PAS “3”.<\/p>\n

Exemples :<\/strong> \u0437\u0438\u043c\u0430\u0301 (hiver) \u00b7 \u0437\u0432\u0435\u0437\u0434\u0430\u0301 (\u00e9toile) \u00b7 \u0437\u0430\u0432\u043e\u0301\u0434 (usine)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Exercices & Devoirs<\/div>\n

Ex. 1<\/strong> \u2014 \u00c9crivez le son russe : \u0412\u2192 \u00b7 \u041d\u2192 \u00b7 \u0420\u2192 \u00b7 \u0421\u2192 \u00b7 \u0423\u2192 \u00b7 \u0425\u2192 \u00b7 \u042c\u2192 \u00b7 \u0417\u2192<\/p>\n

Ex. 2<\/strong> \u2014 Lisez \u00e0 voix haute \u2014 pensez russe, pas latin : \u0432\u043e\u0442 \u00b7 \u043d\u0435\u0442 \u00b7 \u0440\u043e\u0442 \u00b7 \u0441\u043e\u043a \u00b7 \u0443\u043c \u00b7 \u0445\u043b\u0435\u0431 \u00b7 \u0442\u044b \u00b7 \u0437\u0438\u043c\u0430\u0301<\/p>\n

Ex. 3 \u2014 Virelangue :<\/strong> \u0428\u043b\u0430 \u0421\u0430\u0301\u0448\u0430 \u043f\u043e \u0448\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0435\u0301 \u0438 \u0441\u043e\u0441\u0430\u0301\u043b\u0430 \u0441\u0443\u0301\u0448\u043a\u0443.<\/em> (Sacha marchait sur la route en su\u00e7ant un craquelin.)<\/p>\n

Devoirs :<\/strong> \u00c9crivez les 8 faux amis avec leurs vrais sons. Pratiquez le \u0420 roul\u00e9 5 min par jour \u2014 enregistrez-vous. Trouvez 3 mots pour chaque faux ami.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-5371","lesson","type-lesson","status-publish","hentry","pmpro-has-access"],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/lesson\/5371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/lesson"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/lesson"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5371"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/lesson\/5371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5389,"href":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/lesson\/5371\/revisions\/5389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/heyrussian.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}