Educational Discovery: 33 Steps Across Russia. Letter Ё

STEP 7

Letter Ё, ё

The letter Ё is mischievous, extraordinary, and charming. It is a bright letter with a twist.

Origin of the name

With its keen gaze, the letter Ё doesn’t miss a thing. Its two dots are like eyes that notice every detail. This letter even has an exact date of birth: in 1783, at a meeting of the Academy of Sciences, Princess Ekaterina Dashkova wondered why the sound "yo" still lacked its own symbol. Later, Nikolai Karamzin became the first to actively use "yo" in print, and the letter found its place in the Russian language.

The meaning of Ё is precise: it prevents us from confusing words and changes their sound beyond recognition. Just add two dots above the "e," and the word will sound completely different. The shape of the letter seems to remind us that sometimes the most important things are hidden in the details.

Dear traveler, think of the moment when one small clue influenced the entire event. “Ё” says: be more careful!

Words with the letter Ё:

Берёза (Beryoza/Birch)

A deciduous tree with a black and white trunk

Ёлочные игру́шки (Yolochnye igrushki/Christmas tree decorations)

Decorations for a New Year or Christmas tree

Ёж (Yozh/Hedgehog)

A small animal prickly spines

Ёрш (Yorsh/Ruff)

A fish symbolizing perseverance

Зачёт (Zachyot/Pass-Fail Exam)

Knowledge and skills assessment format

Учёба (Uchyoba/Studying)

The process of acquiring knowledge, abilities, and skills

Учёный (Uchyonyi/Scientist or scholar)

A specialist in a particular field of science

Guide word

Ёлка (Yolka/Fir tree)

This is a word that starts with the letter under study, a step word on your educational path.

The letter Ё takes the softness of the letter E and adds a bright accent. Ё lights the last light on the festive New Year's tree. The letter Ё and the fur tree gather loved ones around them, bringing warmth and a festive atmosphere.

Новогодняя ёлка (Novogodnyaya yolka/New Year's tree)

It is a symbol of the holiday, warmth, and the joyful anticipation of a miracle. In Russia, Christmas tree decorations preserve the memory of several generations and are carefully passed down from the elders to the younger ones—a piece of family history lives within them. A joyful feature of Russian New Year's traditions is that the holiday lasts much longer than one night: it is celebrated for almost a week, or even longer, prolonging pleasure and preserving a sense of magic. A sense of unity is particularly intense these days. Parents can hardly hold back tears at their child's party, the city Christmas tree brings together hundreds of people, filling their hearts with warmth, students sincerely congratulate their teachers, and the teachers in return give them warm and kind words of encouragement — and this makes the holiday especially heartfelt. The exchange of small gifts and sweets becomes a kind gesture of mutual attention, bonding everyone even more tightly into one big festive family.

Universities and dormitories always create a special atmosphere for the New Year:

they decorate the spaces, organize celebrations, and hold workshops where people make handmade toys. It is not just a creative experience—it is a small ritual that brings people closer together: it makes it easier for them to get to know their fellow students, feel part of the community, and share the anticipation of the celebration.

Interestingly, the letter Ё is often perceived as "festive": it makes words sound warmer and more familiar—for example, “тёплый” (“tyoplyi/warm), “лёгкий” (lyohkiy/light), “слёзы” (slyozy/tears). In these words, the letter Ё is like a spark, bringing the text to life.

The New Year tradition in Russia is not about decorations. It is about a vibrant and heartwarming event where everyone can become part of a grand shared celebration.

History of the word

“Ёлка” (Yolka) is a traveling word: across years and countries, it comes from the winter forest into apartments and homes, bringing a sense of wonder and comfort.

In Russian, the suffix "ka" is often used to give the word a more positive connotation. This is how the familiar "yolka" (fir tree) emerged from the neutral "el" (spruce tree). It was the combination of the letter Ё and this suffix that made the word sound affectionate in a family way.

Interestingly, the name of the tree itself—lush and beautiful, yet prickly—seems to still refer to this characteristic. The root of the word derives from the notion of prickly and sharp fir needles: for the ancient Slavs, it could directly signify something prickly. Today, that original meaning has been lost, and the word "yolka" evokes entirely different images.

The root of the word alludes to the spiky nature of fir needles. The suffix "ka" makes the words sound more comfortable.

Fact

It all began with a decree from Peter the Great. On December 20, 1699, Peter the Great issued a decree "On the Celebration of the New Year." It mandated that the New Year be celebrated on January 1 and that streets, houses, and gates be decorated with spruce branches for the holiday. In 1852, the first Christmas tree was decorated for the general public in St. Petersburg, at the Yekateringof Station.

Tasks

Dear reader, we suggest that you:

Design your own decoration for a Christmas tree

• Our ideas — feel free to get inspired! If you dream of becoming a doctor, try making a stuffed red cross. You can even make a few of these and give them to your fellow students for Christmas. And if your dream is to become an engineer, create a unique gear-shaped decoration with a garland inside. If you want to become a teacher, make a decoration in the shape of your favorite book—design the cover exactly how you imagine it. You can even write your favorite poem inside, for example.

Riddles

Dear reader, we suggest that you:

Guess what New Year's rituals we are talking about.

• Everyone falls silent and counts: "Ten, nine, eight..." Then they make a wish.

What kind of ritual is it?

• People join hands, circle around the decorated tree, and sing their favorite New Year's songs.

What kind of ritual is it?

• In the evening, mom and dad take their child away from the New Year's tree—for example, for a walk along the snowy streets. And when they return home, the chile finds a gift under the fluffy branches.

Who is this gift from?

Answers:

Making a wish 

A round dance with Father Frost

See you soon! Next to come is the eighth letter of the alphabet—Ж. It is energetic and vibrant. In the next article, you will find some unexpected stories that will convey its special spirit. We will be happy if you check out our puzzles and riddles—they will make learning this letter even more fun.

How to perfect Russian? For the best life hacks, visit the Higher Education Discovery website.