чёрный
čórnyj[ˈt͡ɕɵrnɨj]
The Russian word for black is чёрный (čórnyj). Wiktionary also lists вороно́й (voronój).
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| чёрный | čórnyj | [ˈt͡ɕɵrnɨj] (narrow) | |
| вороно́й | voronój | sometimes |
The primary word for black is чёрный, which describes the color that absorbs all light. It is the most common and neutral way to express this color. In its noun form, it can refer to the color itself. It can also be used as a noun to refer to a dark-skinned person.
Which one should you use?
While чёрный is the standard term, вороно́й is a form used sometimes.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, чёрный changes its ending to agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes. It becomes чёрная for feminine nouns, чёрное for neuter nouns and чёрных for multiple nouns in the nominative plural.
How do you pronounce it?
čórnyj
Did you know?
- The Russian word for 'black' shares an ancient ancestor with the Sanskrit word kṛṣṇa, which is the name of one of the most important deities in Hinduism.
- A чёрный ход is literally a 'black entrance', but it is the standard Russian term for a 'back door' or 'service entrance'.
- The word вороно́й is used specifically to describe the sleek, iridescent black coat of a horse. While it means 'raven-colored', a Russian speaker would use it for a horse rather than for an inanimate object like a car.
Examples in context
- У вас чёрный кот?Do you have a black cat?This sentence is useful for asking about the color of a cat using чёрный.Tatoeba #13716604 by marafon, translation #13715762 by zogwarg
- Я пью чёрный кофе.I drink my coffee black.This sentence is useful for describing coffee as black using чёрный.Tatoeba #5298244 by Selena777, translation #2705436 by WestofEden
- У Тома чёрный кот.Tom has a black cat.This sentence is useful for stating that a cat is black using чёрный.Tatoeba #5669667 by marafon, translation #1402695 by cntrational
- 175 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey and Maria are choosing a new car.
- Сергей SergeyТебе нравится этот чёрный автомобиль?Tebe nravitsya etot chyornyy avtomobil'?Do you like this black car?
- Мария MariaДа, он очень красивый.Da, on ochen' krasivyy.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- Сергей SergeyМария, этот цвет очень практичный.Mariya, etot tsvet ochen' praktichnyy.Maria, this color is very practical.
- Мария MariaСогласна, Сергей, давай его купим.Soglasna, Sergey, davay yego kupim.I agree, Sergey, let's buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black” translations and entries чёрный, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries чёрный, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
