шкаф
škaf[ʂkaf]
The Russian word for armoire is шкаф (škaf).
шкаф is a general term used to refer to a type of cupboard, cabinet or wardrobe. If you want to specifically denote a wardrobe for clothing, you can use the phrase шкаф для одежды, which literally means "cupboard for clothes".
Meaning: type of cupboard, cabinet or wardrobe (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular noun шкаф changes depending on its role in a sentence. Use шкафа to express "of the cupboard/wardrobe" (genitive singular), шкафу to express "to the cupboard/wardrobe" (dative singular) and use the plural form шкафы when referring to multiple cupboards or wardrobes.
Did you know?
- In the world of information technology, a Russian speaker uses the word шкаф to describe a 'server rack' in a data center.
- The word шкаф is not a native Slavic word, but a borrowing from Germanic languages like Middle Dutch or Middle Low German. It entered the Russian vocabulary through historical trade links with Northern Europe.
- The diminutive form шкафчик is the standard word used for the small lockers found in gyms or offices.
Examples in context
- Я купил новый шкаф для хранения вещей.I bought a new armoire for storing things.
- У меня в комнате есть шкафчик с книгами.I have a small armoire with books in my room.
- Этот старый шкаф стоит в углу.Etot staryy shkaf stoit v uglu.This old wardrobe stands in the corner.
- Нам нужен большой шкаф для одежды.Nam nuzhen bol'shoy shkaf dlya odezhdy.We need a large wardrobe for clothes.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Dmitry are moving into a new apartment.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДмитрий, где будет стоять наш шкаф?Dmitriy, gde budet stoyat' nash shkaf?Dmitry, where will our wardrobe stand?
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ поставлю его в спальне.Ya postavlyu yego v spal'ne.I will put it in the bedroom.
- Екатерина EkaterinaХорошо, в спальне будет много места.Khorosho, v spal'ne budet mnogo mesta.Okay, there will be plenty of space in the bedroom.
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, этот шкаф отлично туда впишется.Da, etot shkaf otlichno tuda vpishyetsya.Yes, this wardrobe will fit perfectly there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry шкаф, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries шкаф, CC BY-SA 4.0.
