возду́шный шар
vozdúšnyj šarmasculine
The English word 'balloon' can be translated into Russian as возду́шный шар (vozdúšnyj šar) or ша́рик.
Meaning: child’s toy (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| возду́шный шар | vozdúšnyj šar | masculine |
| ша́рик | šárik | masculine |
Both terms refer to a balloon as a child's toy.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase возду́шный шар is composed of the adjective возду́шный (airy/of air) and the noun шар (sphere/ball).
Which one should you use?
ша́рик is the diminutive form of шар and is the most common way to refer to a child's party balloon. In contrast, возду́шный шар is more formal or descriptive and can also refer to a hot air balloon.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Russian dialects, the word шар might be substituted for шарик.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the common word for a party balloon ша́рик is ша́рики.
How do you pronounce it?
vozdúšnyj šar
Did you know?
- If a Russian speaker says надуть шарик, they are literally saying 'to inflate a balloon', but the verb надуть can also mean 'to trick' or 'to deceive' someone.
- The word шар might be an ancient borrowing from a Turkic word meaning 'yellow' or 'white'. This suggests the word evolved from meaning 'color' to 'spot' and finally to 'round object'.
- Russian uses the word шар to describe the globe of the Earth, земной шар, treating the entire planet as a giant balloon or sphere.
Examples in context
- Пожалуйста, купите воздушный шарик для праздника.Please buy a balloon for the celebration.
- Давайте купим шарик для праздника!Let's buy a balloon for the celebration!
- Этот возду́шный шар очень красивый.Etot vozdušnyj šar očen' krasivyj.This balloon is very beautiful.
- Ребёнок хочет получить возду́шный шар.Rebyonok hocet polučit' vozdušnyj šar.The child wants to get a balloon.
- Красный возду́шный шар улетел в небо.Krasnyj vozdušnyj šar uletel v nebo.The red balloon flew into the sky.
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are at a birthday party.
- Александр AleksandrОльга, смотри, какой большой возду́шный шар!Olga, smotri, kakoy bol'shoy vozdushnyy shar!Olga, look, what a big balloon!
- Ольга OlgaДа, он просто замечательный.Da, on prosto zamechatel'nyy.Yes, it is simply wonderful.
- Александр AleksandrХочешь, я подарю его тебе?Khochesh', ya podaryu ego tebe?Do you want me to give it to you?
- Ольга OlgaСпасибо, Александр, я с радостью возьму.Spasibo, Aleksandr, ya s radost'yu voz'mu.Thank you, Alexander, I will gladly take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “balloon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries шар, CC BY-SA 4.0.
