алкого́ль
alkogólʹmasculine
The English word alcohol is translated into Russian as алкого́ль (alkogólʹ). Wiktionary also lists спирт (spirt) and спиртно́й напи́ток (spirtnój napítok).
Meaning: intoxicating beverage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| алкого́ль | alkogólʹ | masculine | |
| спирт | spirt | [spʲirt] (narrow) | masculine |
| спиртно́й напи́ток | spirtnój napítok | masculine | |
| алкого́льный напи́ток | alkogólʹnyj napítok | masculine | |
| кре́пкий напи́ток | krépkij napítok | masculine | |
| спиртно́е | spirtnóje | neuter |
The most straightforward and widely used term for alcohol in Russian is алкого́ль.
Which one should you use?
While алкого́ль refers to alcoholic beverages in general, спирт specifically refers to pure ethanol or high-concentration spirits. To specify hard liquor rather than beer or wine, you can use the descriptive term кре́пкий напи́ток, which literally means 'strong drink'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For official documents, menus or legal contexts, use the formal term алкого́льный напи́ток. In casual, everyday conversation, the neuter form спиртно́е is commonly used as a collective noun to refer to alcoholic drinks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Russia, particularly rural areas, homemade distilled spirits are called самогон.
How do you pronounce it?
alkogólʹ
Did you know?
- The Russian word for vodka, во́дка, is a diminutive of вода, meaning 'water'. This implies it is 'little water', despite its high alcohol content.
- Russian has a specific term похме́лье for the 'hangover' state, which stems from the word хме́ль, meaning 'hops'.
- The word спирт is a direct cousin to the English word 'spirit', as both derive from the Latin word for 'breath' or 'spirit'.
Examples in context
- Я не пью спиртного.I don't drink alcohol.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not consume alcohol.Tatoeba #2880616 by sharptoothed, translation #258477 by CK
- Я не люблю спиртное.I don't like alcohol.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for alcohol.Tatoeba #2901773 by sharptoothed, translation #9806547 by ddnktr
- Он не пьёт спиртного.He never drinks alcohol.This sentence is useful for stating that someone never drinks alcohol.Tatoeba #1383779 by Biga, translation #288897 by CK
- Магазин продает различные виды алкоголя.The store sells a variety of alcohol.
- Спирт используется в медицине для дезинфекции.Alcohol is used in medicine for disinfection.
- Давай зайдем в бар и выпьем водки.Let's go to the bar and have some vodka.
- Что выберешь: пиво или водку?What will you choose: beer or vodka?
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alcohol” translations and entries спирт, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries спирт, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
