Learning The Letters and their Sounds
To simplify your learning, the 33 letters of the Ukrainian alphabet have been divided into four distinct groups. Give yourself adequate time to master the letters in one group before moving on to the next group.
Group I: Similar vowels and consonants - а, е, и , і, о, у, к, м, т
Appearances can be deceiving! Although the first six letters below resemble English vowels, make note of the fact that they are pronounced differently in Ukrainian. In particular, the vowel “ и ” tends to be a challenge. Although it resembles an English ‘u', it makes the sound of a short ‘i' in English.
Of the three consonants given, the letter “ т “ needs special attention. In Ukrainian, this letter is pronounced with your tongue gently touching the roof of your mouth and not the back of your teeth as in English.
Listen, repeat, listen
Pronunciation [а] as in mama [e] as in elephant [i] as in fix, sit [ee] as in need [o] as in more [oo] as in food [k] as in kite [m] as in many [t] as in tall
Oral Practise # 1
Read the following syllables out loud. Try to make sure that the vowels are clear and pronounced fully as in the oral examples above.
ма -- ме -- ми -- мі -- мо -- му
ам -- ем -- им -- ім -- ом -- умка -- ке -- ки -- кі -- ко -- ку
ак -- ек -- ик -- ік -- ок -- укта -- те -- ти -- ті -- то -- ту
ат -- ет -- ит -- іт -- от -- ут
Now listen to the syllables as read in the audio clip.
Was your pronunciation accurate? Read the list again if you had difficulty with some of the sounds.
Oral Practise # 2
Listen to the words below in the audio clip provided.
Repeat the Ukrainian words by modeling what you hear in the audio clip. Practise until you can read the words smoothly and fluently. Note: the vowel in red indicates the stressed syllable in words of two syllables or more.
тут here мама mom там there тато dad кiт cat Тимко Tim так yes Тома Tom кит whale мета aim, goal ти you котик kitten кут corner мука flour кум godfather кума godmother ми we туман fog мак poppy тета aunt ум intellect око eye