Cyrillic Alphabet
Mongolian Cyrillic alphabet: 35 letters (А-Я plus Ө, Ү), key sounds, and script overview
Can read Mongolian Cyrillic letters including Ө and Ү, and recognize their sounds
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Өдөр сайн уу?
Good day! (Hello)
Үнэ хэд вэ?
How much does it cost?
Монгол хүн байна.
There is a Mongolian person.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The Mongolian Cyrillic alphabet has 35 letters — Russian's 33 plus Ө [ø] and Ү [y].
| Letter | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ө | [ø] — round lips, say 'e' | өдөр (day) |
| Ү | [y] — round lips, say 'i' | үнэ (price) |
Vowels: А, Э, И, О, У, Ө, Ү (7 core vowels)
Note: «Х» = [x], «Ж» = [dʒ] — differs slightly from Russian.
Common Error Patterns
Confuses Ө [ø] with О [o] or Ү [y] with У [u]
Ө/Ү require rounded lips. Practice: өдөр (day) vs одон (star), үнэ (price) vs ун (drink).
Pronounces Ж as [ʒ] (Russian) instead of [dʒ] (Mongolian)
Add a 'd' before: Mongolian Ж = English 'j' in 'jump'. Practice: жил (year), жижиг (small).
Өдөр сайн уу?
Good day! (Hello)
Ө is pronounced [ø] — round lips and say 'e'. Notice Mongolian greetings use question form.
Үнэ хэд вэ?
How much does it cost?
Ү = [y] — round lips and say 'i'. Both Ү and Э appear here, showing front vowels.
Монгол хүн байна.
There is a Mongolian person.
Х = [x] (like Scottish 'loch'). All letters here are standard Cyrillic used in Mongolian.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises