Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| крова́ть | krovátʹ | feminine |
| посте́ль | postélʹ | feminine |
| ко́йка | kójka | feminine |
| ло́же | lóže | archaic, neuter |
The term for bed depends on whether you are talking about the physical piece of furniture, the bedding used or a specific type of small bed.
Which one should you use?
Use крова́ть when referring specifically to the piece of furniture itself. Use посте́ль when referring to the bed in terms of the bedding, linens or the act of lying in it. Use ко́йка to refer to a small bed, a cot or a narrow bed often found in hospitals or military settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
посте́ль can serve as a formal term for bed. ло́же is an archaic term used in poetic, religious or highly formal contexts to mean a bed or resting place.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of крова́ть is крова́ти. The plural form of посте́ль is посте́ли. The plural form of ко́йка is ко́йки.
How do you pronounce it?
krovátʹ
Did you know?
- The word крова́ть shares a root with кров, meaning 'roof' or 'shelter'. This connects the idea of a bed to the broader concept of providing a safe place for a person to stay.
- The term ко́йка is used in a specific bureaucratic sense to measure hospital capacity, where a 'bed' represents a funded budget slot rather than a piece of furniture.
- The word ло́же is used in the term бра́чное ло́же to refer specifically to a 'marriage bed', a usage that preserves its archaic and formal tone.
Examples in context
- Я люблю спать на мягкой кровати.I love sleeping on a soft bed.
- Новая постель в гостинице была очень комфортной.The new bed in the hotel was very comfortable.
- Мне нужна новая кровать, а не эта старая койка.I need a new bed, not this old cot.
- У меня есть уютная кроватька в моей комнате.I have a cozy little bed in my room.
- Эта крова́ть очень удобная.Eta krovat' ochen' udobnaya.This bed is very comfortable.
- Где стоит твоя крова́ть?Gde stoit tvoya krovat'?Where is your bed located?
- Новая крова́ть стоит в спальне.Novaya krovat' stoit v spal'ne.The new bed is in the bedroom.
Example conversation
Olga and Alexander are discussing new furniture for the bedroom.
- Ольга OlgaНам нужна новая крова́ть.Nam nuzhna novaya krovat'.We need a new bed.
- Александр AleksandrЯ согласен, эта слишком старая.Ya soglasen, eta slishkom staraya.I agree, this one is too old.
- Ольга OlgaКакую крова́ть ты хочешь?Kakuyu krovat' ty khochesh'?What kind of bed do you want?
- Александр AleksandrЯ хочу очень мягкую.Ya khochu ochen' myagkuyu.I want a very soft one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bed” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
