Check the tail before you choose

One letter, two cases

Ц is ts; Ч is ch; Ш is sh; Щ is sh followed by ch. The small lower-right tail distinguishes Щ from Ш. Compare the examples side by side. Letter names label the characters; the sound cues explain how to pronounce them.

tse

Ц ц makes ts, as at the end of cats. Look for two uprights and the small tail at the lower right.

ц

tse

che

Ч ч makes ch, as in chair. Its upper part is open; compare it with Ц ц and Ш ш.

ч

che

sha

Ш ш makes sh. It has three uprights joined along the bottom and no extra lower-right tail.

ш

sha

shcha

Щ щ makes sh followed by ch. It resembles Ш ш but adds a small tail at the lower right.

щ

shcha