Rule 2: The vowels е and я

  1. In Russian the vowels e and я are given full pronunciation only when they are stressed. Listen as your instructor reads the following words then repeat after him/her. You'll also find this exercise on the tape for this lesson.

    комета директор буфет пять яхта
    тема билет портфель яблоко семья
    текст Чехов ферма ребята Ялта
  2. When unstressed these vowels are pronounced as a short i. Listen as your instructor reads the following words then repeat after him/her. You'll also find this exercise on the tape for this lesson.

    телефон театр декабрь берёза язык
    ресторан винегрет планетарий японец январь
    номер календарь галерея японка яйцо