алфави́т
alfavítmasculine
The English word "alphabet" is translated into Russian as алфави́т (alfavít) or а́збука.
Meaning: an ordered set of letters used in a language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| алфави́т | alfavít | masculine |
| а́збука | ázbuka | feminine |
The term азбу́ка is frequently used in the phrase азбу́ка жизни, which translates to "the ABCs of life" or "the basics of life".
Which one should you use?
While алфави́т is the standard term for a linguistic alphabet, а́збука is a common, slightly more traditional or colloquial way to refer to the alphabet, often used in the context of children learning to read.
How does it change in a sentence?
алфави́т is a masculine noun and follows standard declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. а́збука is a feminine noun and follows standard declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in –а.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is alfavít.
Did you know?
- In historical Russian, the term а́збука refers to a system of letters that actually started with 'Az' and 'Buki' instead of 'A' and 'B'.
- Unlike the English 'alphabet', which refers to the set of letters, а́збука can specifically refer to a physical primer or a children's textbook used to teach reading.
- In Russian culture, calling something азбу́ка in a professional context can imply that the topic is so elementary it is like teaching a child their ABCs.
Examples in context
- Чтобы научиться говорить по-русски, вам нужно выучить алфавит.To learn to speak Russian, you need to learn the alphabet.
- Я изучаю русский алфавит каждый день.I study the Russian alphabet every day.
- Какие буквы новые для меня?Which letters are new to me?
- Я уже выучил несколько букв русского алфавита.I have already learned a few letters of the Russian alphabet.
- Русский алфави́т довольно простой.Russkiy alfavit dovol'no prostoy.The Russian alphabet is quite simple.
- Ты выучил весь алфави́т?Ty vyuchil ves' alfavit?Have you learned the whole alphabet?
- В этом приложении есть алфави́т.V etom prilozhenii yest' alfavit.There is an alphabet in this application.
Example conversation
Olga is helping Dmitry study a new language.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, ты знаешь этот алфави́т?Dmitriy, ty znayesh' etot alfavit?Dmitry, do you know this alphabet?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, Ольга, он кажется сложным.Net, Ol'ga, on kazhetsya slozhnym.No, Olga, it seems difficult.
- Ольга OlgaНе переживай, я тебе помогу.Ne perezhivay, ya tebe pomogu.Don't worry, I will help you.
- Дмитрий DmitryСпасибо, это было бы здорово.Spasibo, eto bylo by zdorovo.Thanks, that would be great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alphabet” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
