There are two letters in the russian alphabet that don't have any sounds - the hard sign (твёрдый знак) and the soft sign (мягкий знак). In this post, I will try to explain you how do we use these letters without any sounds and how can we pronounce them.
The hard sign
You have to use the hard sign Ъ for separating a prefix and a root of a word. In this case a prefix should finish with a consonant (for example, под-, из-, об-, с-) and a root should start with a vowel (only е, ё, ю or я). Examples: подъезд (an entrance), изъять (to withdraw), объятие (an embrace), съесть (to eat).
Also you have to use tha hard sign Ъ for separating in compound words with numbers such as двухъярусный (double-level), трёхъязычный (trilingual, triglot).
NB! There is no the hard sign in front of the other vowels. Examples: безопасный (safe), контрудар (counterblow), трансарктический (transarctic).
The soft sign
You have to use the soft sign Ь for separating inside a word (in a root or in a suffix) and only before vowels е, ё, ю, я, и: вьюга (a snowstorm), бурьян (weeds). Sometimes there is the soft sign Ь after the vowel о also, but it's only for foreign words: бульон (a bouillon), синьор (a signor). The vowel that follows the soft sign Ь becomes yotated. Compare two words: семя (a seed) - семья (a family).
A consonant before the soft sign Ь becomes soft.
The soft sign Ь can end a word also. In this case a consonant on front of Ь is softened, too. Examples: гореть (to be on fire), степь (a steppe), мать (a mother).
NB! Remember that you can't write the soft sign Ь after a prefix.
Ъъ - твёрдый знак
Ьь - мягкий знак
The hard sign
You have to use the hard sign Ъ for separating a prefix and a root of a word. In this case a prefix should finish with a consonant (for example, под-, из-, об-, с-) and a root should start with a vowel (only е, ё, ю or я). Examples: подъезд (an entrance), изъять (to withdraw), объятие (an embrace), съесть (to eat).
Also you have to use tha hard sign Ъ for separating in compound words with numbers such as двухъярусный (double-level), трёхъязычный (trilingual, triglot).
NB! There is no the hard sign in front of the other vowels. Examples: безопасный (safe), контрудар (counterblow), трансарктический (transarctic).
The soft sign
You have to use the soft sign Ь for separating inside a word (in a root or in a suffix) and only before vowels е, ё, ю, я, и: вьюга (a snowstorm), бурьян (weeds). Sometimes there is the soft sign Ь after the vowel о also, but it's only for foreign words: бульон (a bouillon), синьор (a signor). The vowel that follows the soft sign Ь becomes yotated. Compare two words: семя (a seed) - семья (a family).
A consonant before the soft sign Ь becomes soft.
The soft sign Ь can end a word also. In this case a consonant on front of Ь is softened, too. Examples: гореть (to be on fire), степь (a steppe), мать (a mother).
NB! Remember that you can't write the soft sign Ь after a prefix.
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