мяч
mjač[mʲæt͡ɕ]masculine, usually
The Russian word for ball is мяч (mjač). Wiktionary also lists мя́чик (mjáčik) and шар (šar).
Meaning: object, generally spherical, used for playing games (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| мяч | mjač | [mʲæt͡ɕ] (narrow) | masculine, usually |
| мя́чик | mjáčik | masculine | |
| шар | šar | [ʂar] (narrow) | masculine, usually |
| ша́рик | šárik | masculine |
In Russian, the word you use depends on whether you are talking about a ball used in sports or a geometric sphere. Use мяч for objects used in games such as football, basketball or tennis. For a geometric sphere or a large, solid globe, use шар.
Which one should you use?
мяч is specifically used for sports balls, whereas шар refers to a sphere or a globe in a geometric context. The diminutive forms мя́чик and ша́рик also exist, which add a sense of affection or familiarity to the object.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using мяч with a negation, such as in the sentence 'I don't have a ball', the form changes to мяча.
How do you pronounce it?
mjač
Did you know?
- When talking about an eyeball, Russian uses the word глазное яблоко, which literally translates to 'eye apple'.
- While мяч is for sports, the word шарик is the standard term for a party balloon.
- The word мяч is etymologically linked to the word мя́гкий, meaning 'soft'.
Examples in context
- У меня нет мяча.I don't have the ball.This sentence shows how the word мяч changes to мяча when used with a negation.Tatoeba #4957525 by odexed, translation #4497956 by CK
- Я брошу мяч вам.I'll throw the ball to you.Tatoeba #8261823 by marafon, translation #6220505 by CK
- Я не видел мяча.I didn't see the ball.Tatoeba #8928299 by marafon, translation #8926683 by CK
- Пожалуйста, передайте мне мяч.Please pass me the ball.
- 337 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alexander and Maria are in the park.
- Александр AleksandrМария, посмотри на этот мяч!Mariya, posmotri na etot myach!Maria, look at this ball!
- Мария MariaОн очень яркий.On ochen' yarkiy.It is very bright.
- Александр AleksandrДавай играть вместе.Davay igrat' vmeste.Let's play together.
- Мария MariaХорошо, Александр, я согласна.Khorosho, Aleksandr, ya soglasna.Okay, Alexander, I agree.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ball” translations and entries мяч, шар, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries мяч, шар, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
