рука́
rukáfeminine
The Russian word for arm is рука́ (ruká).
рука́ refers to the upper appendage from the shoulder to the wrist. Note that in Russian, this single word covers both the arm and the hand. In technical or medical contexts, the term Конечность is used to refer more broadly to limbs, including both arms and legs.
Meaning: upper appendage from shoulder to wrist (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When рука́ is used as the direct object of a verb, it changes to the form ру́ку.
How do you pronounce it?
ruká
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often search for a distinct word for 'hand' when translating from English, but рука́ is the standard term used for both the arm and the hand.
Did you know?
- If you want to specify the hand itself without using the word for arm, Russians use the word кисть (wrist/hand), which comes from a word meaning 'brush'.
- In Russian, the phrase отвести руку describes a sudden hesitation or a failure of nerve, as if the 'arm' refused to complete a movement.
- The term рука́ is also used in card games to refer to a player's 'hand' or the set of cards they are currently holding.
Examples in context
- У меня болит левая рука́.U menya bolit levaya ruka.My left arm hurts.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Sergey are at the gym.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСергей, посмотри на мою рука́!Sergey, posmotri na moyu ruku!Sergey, look at my arm!
- Сергей SergeyОго, ты стала очень сильной.Ogo, ty stala ochen silnoy.Wow, you have become very strong.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, я много тренируюсь.Da, ya mnogo treniruyus.Yes, I train a lot.
- Сергей SergeyМолодец, Анастасия!Molodets, Anastasiya!Well done, Anastasia!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arm” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
