Russian pronunciation
Hear it. Compare it. Copy it.
Train the features that matter most at the beginning: word stress, vowel reduction, hard and soft consonants, and a few unfamiliar sounds. Use the audio repeatedly rather than trying to learn pronunciation from spelling alone.
Audio uses the Russian speech voice available on your device. The lesson structure is ready for prerecorded native audio later.
Hear the stress
Russian word stress is important. The stressed vowel is clearer and stronger, while unstressed vowels can change noticeably.
The acute accent is a learning mark only. Normal Russian text usually does not show stress marks.
молоко́
milk
Stress the final о. The earlier о vowels are reduced in normal speech.
вода́
water
Stress the final а. The first о is unstressed and reduced.
хорошо́
well / good
Stress the final о. Listen to how the earlier vowels become weaker.
ма́ма
mother
Stress the first а. The second vowel is lighter.
рука́
hand / arm
Stress the final а. Keep the first syllable short.
маши́на
car / machine
Stress the middle и. Avoid giving every vowel equal weight.
What to notice
Unstressed Russian vowels are not always pronounced as clearly as their spelling suggests. Listen for the stressed syllable first, then imitate the weaker rhythm around it.