плато́к
platókmasculine
The English term 'babushka' refers to a woman's headscarf tied under the chin in Russian, though the Russian word for the garment is плато́к (platók). Wiktionary also lists шаль (šalʹ) and косы́нка (kosýnka).
Meaning: woman’s headscarf tied under the chin (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| плато́к | platók | masculine | |
| шаль | šalʹ | [ʂalʲ] (narrow) | feminine |
| косы́нка | kosýnka | feminine |
While the English word 'babushka' is often used to describe a headscarf, in Russian, the word бабушка actually refers to a grandmother or an elderly woman. To describe the clothing, you would use words like плато́к, шаль or косы́нка.
Which one should you use?
The term плато́к is the most common, general term for a headscarf or a small shawl.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, especially in rural areas, the term баба is used to address an elderly woman.
How do you pronounce it?
platók
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 'babushka' to mean the headscarf itself, but in Russian, 'babushka' (бабушка) means 'grandmother' and is not a word for a piece of clothing.
Did you know?
- The word шаль for shawl is a linguistic traveler, having been borrowed into Russian from the Persian word شال.
- In Russian culture, a married woman traditionally wore a плато́к to hide her hair from public view, a custom that persisted long after it ceased to be a legal requirement.
- In Russian, the term бабушка is frequently used as a warm term of endearment for any elderly woman, even if she is a complete stranger.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, бабушка!Hello, babushka!
- Смотри, бабка, я принесла тебе торт!Look, babka, I brought you a cake!
- Этот синий плато́к очень красивый.Etot siniy platok ochen' krasivyy.This blue headscarf is very beautiful.
- Она повязала плато́к под подбородком.Ona poviazala platok pod podborodkom.She tied the headscarf under her chin.
Example conversation
Ekaterina is getting ready to go outside in the cold.
- Екатерина EkaterinaАндрей, где мой тёплый плато́к?Andrey, gde moy tyoplyy platok?Andrey, where is my warm headscarf?
- Андрей AndreyОн лежит на стуле в спальне.On lezhit na stule v spal'ne.It is lying on the chair in the bedroom.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСпасибо, я его надену.Spasibo, ya yego nadenu.Thank you, I will put it on.
- Андрей AndreyБудь осторожна на улице.Bud' ostorozhna na ulitse.Be careful outside.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “babushka” translations and entries шаль, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries шаль, CC BY-SA 4.0.
