In turn, ⟨ю⟩ is used, where available, in transcriptions of English letter ⟨u⟩ (in open syllables), and also of the ⟨ew⟩ digraph.

Before a hard consonant or at the end of a word, the result is a back vowel [u], as in "pool".

[1] It is the latter form that is probably the original,[citation needed] precisely displaying the Greek combination omicron-iota (οι).

At the time that the Greek alphabet was adapted to the Slavonic language giving rise to the Cyrillic alphabet, it denoted the close front rounded vowel /y/ in educated Greek speech.

[citation needed] The iotated big Yus ⟨Ѭ⟩ merged itself to ⟨ю⟩ in East Slavic languages.