Cyrillic Meaning in English

word

US

sɝˈɪɫɪk

ser-IL-ik

UK

sɪˈrɪlɪk

si-RIL-ik

Definition

Cyrillic is an alphabet used for writing several Slavic and Central Asian languages, including Russian and Bulgarian.

Usage & Nuances

Refers to the script or alphabet, not to a language. Used with 'alphabet', 'letters', or to describe text ('Cyrillic script', 'Cyrillic characters'). Do not say 'Cyrillic language'—it is not a language.

• Spanish: cirílico
• Portuguese (BR): cirílico
• Portuguese (PT): cirílico
• Chinese (Simplified): 西里尔字母
• Chinese (Traditional): 西里爾字母
• Hindi: सिरिलिक
• Arabic: السيريلية
• Bengali: সুইরিলিক (বর্ণমালা)
• Russian: кириллица
• Japanese: キリル文字
• Vietnamese: chữ Cyril (bảng chữ cái Cyril)
• Korean: 키릴 문자
• Turkish: Kiril (alfabe)
• Urdu: سیریلیک (حروف تہجی)
• Indonesian: Sirilik (alfabet)

Example Sentences

The Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

basic

I cannot read Cyrillic letters.

basic

Bulgarian is also written in Cyrillic.

basic

I tried to send a message in Cyrillic and my phone didn't support it.

natural

Do you know how to type in Cyrillic on your computer?

natural

That sign is written in Cyrillic, so I have no idea what it says.

natural