рюкза́к
rjukzákmasculine
The English phrase "backpack" in Russian is translated as рюкза́к (rjukzák). Wiktionary also lists ра́нец (ránec).
Meaning: worn on a person's back, e.g., for hiking (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| рюкза́к | rjukzák | masculine |
| ра́нец | ránec | masculine |
рюкза́к is the most common and standard term for a backpack.
Which one should you use?
рюкза́к is the standard term for any type of backpack, including hiking or travel packs. In contrast, ра́нец specifically refers to a school bag or a smaller knapsack used by children or students.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun рюкза́к changes to рюкзака in the genitive case (e.g., 'without a backpack').
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is rjukzák.
Did you know?
- The word рюкза́к is actually a loanword from the German 'Rucksack'. This makes it a cognate with the English word 'rucksack'.
- While ра́нец is now used for school bags, it historically referred to the stiff, frame-based packs used by soldiers in the Imperial Russian Army.
- In Russian military slang, a soldier's backpack is sometimes referred to as a 'сидор', a word with much deeper historical roots in infantry life.
Examples in context
- У меня есть классный рюкзачок, посмотри!Look, I have a cool backpack!
- Мой рюкза́к очень тяжёлый.Moy ryukzak ochen' tyazholyy.My backpack is very heavy.
- Этот рюкза́к подходит для походов.Etot ryukzak podkhodit dlya pokhodov.This backpack is suitable for hiking.
- Где мой синий рюкза́к?Gde moy siniy ryukzak?Where is my blue backpack?
Example conversation
Andrey and Maria are preparing for a mountain trip.
- Андрей AndreyМария, ты взяла свой рюкза́к?Mariya, ty vzyala svoy ryukzak?Maria, did you take your backpack?
- Мария MariaДа, он уже в машине.Da, on uzhe v mashine.Yes, it is already in the car.
- Андрей AndreyОтлично, тогда я возьму свой рюкза́к.Otlichno, togda ya voz'mu svoy ryukzak.Great, then I will take my backpack.
- Мария MariaНе забудь положить воду внутрь.Ne zabud' polozhit' vodu vnutr'.Don't forget to put water inside.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “backpack” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
