Olga
Professional Teacher
How do you pronounce the mysterious Russian Ы? (+ VIDEO)
If you're still struggling with some Russian sounds, check out this video:

👉 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHmPw0V38Tk">www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHmPw0V38Tk</a>

You can find the transcript here:

I hope, it'll be helpful!
Sep 27, 2019 2:49 AM
Comments · 9
1
I must say, I also heard something like German in this video. I was distracted and when Olga said "ы" I heard a different sound:)
Maybe not because Olga pronounces ы differently from me, just because I heard it in English context.

(but we can do it differently, we are from different regions)
September 27, 2019
1
Som, a bit similar to how Arabic [i] sounds after [q] (as opposed to k). your tongue goes up at almost the same place as q.

It is central or back sound. When I said it I feel as if I'm saying something very "back", but then I compare to [u] and realize that [u] is deeper. When I demonstrate it, I always feel an urge to hyperarticulate it, to pull corners of my moths as far to the sides as possible, grinning. Much more than Olga does it in the video. But in speech lips may not take part in articulation.

When isolated, hyperarticulate and tense, it is a "funny" sound for us, in a rude way. Combinations гы кы хы sound particuarly rude. You only find them in interjections (кыш! We say this to small animals to make them get away from some place), foreign place names, and imitations of rude "troll" kind of laughter гы-гы-гы.
September 27, 2019
1
I’m glad you find it helpful! 👍
September 27, 2019
1
Your channel, and a very new one. Suits my case, I've only just started Russian. I subscribed. I only hope that with my already ongoing German and Spanish in addition to my three native level languages, I don't make a total mess of it all.
September 27, 2019
🤦‍♀️ guys don’t confuse students please
September 27, 2019
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