UNIT 7 - я, ї, ю, є

The four letters introduced in this unit all begin with a “y” sound followed by a vowel sound.

The letter я is pronounced like the “ya” sound in “yard” (IPA: /jɑ/). This letter looks like a backwards capital “R”. The uppercase form is Я.

The letter ї is pronounced with a “y” sound followed by і (IPA: /ji/). The uppercase form is Ї. Notice that the uppercase form still has the two dots above the letter.

The letter ю is pronounced like the “yu” sound in “yule” (IPA: /ju/). The uppercase form is Ю.

The letter є is pronounced like the “ye” sound in “yes” (IPA: /jɛ/). The uppercase form is Є.

PRACTICE

Try to read these Ukrainian words. The English translation is given next to each word. The correct pronunciations are given in the answers below.

1. неділя (Sunday)

2. яблуко (apple)

3. їжа (food)

4. Україна (Ukraine)

5. лютий (February)

6. брюки (pants)

7. Я є (I am)

8. одяг (clothing)

9. лікарня (hospital)

10. країна (country)

ANSWERS

1. nedílya

2. yábluko

3. yíža

4. ukrayína

5. lyútyy

6. bryúky

7. ya ye

8. ódyah

9. likárnya

10. krayína