велосипе́д
velosipéd
The Russian word for bike is велосипе́д (velosipéd). Wiktionary also lists ве́лик (vélik).
Meaning: bicycle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| велосипе́д | velosipéd | |
| ве́лик | vélik | colloquial |
Both forms refer to a bicycle.
What does it mean word for word?
велосипе́д is a loanword from the French word vélocipède.
Which one should you use?
велосипе́д is the standard, neutral term, whereas ве́лик is a shortened, casual version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
велосипе́д is used in formal or technical contexts. ве́лик is a colloquial way to say bike among friends or in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The colloquial form ве́лик follows masculine declension, meaning its genitive singular form is ве́лика. To say 'to ride a bike', use the verb ката́ться with the preposition на and the noun in the prepositional case, such as in ката́ться на велосипе́де.
How do you pronounce it?
velosipéd
Did you know?
- Russian speakers often use the phrase изобретать велосипед, which literally means 'to invent the bicycle', to describe the act of wasting time creating something that already exists.
- While 'велосипе́д' is used for any bicycle, Russians often use the term байк to refer specifically to large, powerful motorcycles.
- The diminutive form велосипе́дик is often used not just for children's bikes, but to express affection or a sense of fragility toward the object.
Examples in context
- Я хочу купить новый велосипед.I want to buy a new bike.
- Он ездит на велосипеде каждый день.He rides a bike every day.
- Вечером давай прокатимся на велике.Let's go for a bike ride in the evening.
- У меня новый велик.I have a new bike.
- Мой велосипе́д стоит в гараже.Moy veseloped stoit v garazhe.My bicycle is in the garage.
- Этот но́вый велосипе́д о́чень бы́стрый.Etot novyy veseloped ochen' bystryy.This new bicycle is very fast.
- Ты хочешь купи́ть но́вый велосипе́д?Ty khochesh' kupit' novyy veseloped?Do you want to buy a new bicycle?
Example conversation
Sergey and Ekaterina are talking about their weekend plans.
- Сергей SergeyТы пое́дешь со мной на велосипе́де?Ty poyedesh' so mnoy na velosipede?Will you go with me by bike?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, я люблю́ ката́ться.Da, ya lyublyu katat'sya.Yes, I love riding.
- Сергей SergeyТогда́ бери́ свой велосипе́д.Togda beri svoy velosiped.Then take your bike.
- Екатерина EkaterinaХорошо́, до за́втра!Khorosho, do zavtra!Okay, see you tomorrow!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bike” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
