мете́ль
metélʹfeminine
The English word blizzard is translated into Russian as мете́ль (metélʹ). Wiktionary also lists бура́н (burán) and пурга́ (purgá).
Meaning: severe snowstorm (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| мете́ль | metélʹ | feminine |
| бура́н | burán | masculine |
| пурга́ | purgá | feminine |
| вью́га | vʹjúga | feminine |
| сне́жная бу́ря | snéžnaja búrja | feminine |
| мете́лица | metélica | feminine |
All these terms refer to severe snowstorms. You can use the phrase сильная метель to specifically describe a strong or blinding blizzard, and the phrase идет метель to say that there is a blizzard occurring.
Which one should you use?
While many forms exist, вью́га is the most common way to describe a swirling, snowy blizzard in a general sense. In contrast, бура́н is a specific term used to describe the strong, dry blizzards common in the steppes and Central Asia.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term бура́н is used specifically to describe the weather patterns of the steppes and Central Asia.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms provided include the masculine бура́н, the feminine пурга́, вью́га, мете́ль, сне́жная бу́ря and мете́лица.
How do you pronounce it?
metélʹ
Did you know?
- The word мете́ль is closely related to the Russian word for 'broom', as both describe the act of sweeping things away from the ground.
- Russian folklore often depicts the вью́га as a malevolent force that intentionally confuses travelers to make them walk in circles.
- The word пурга́ is often used in Russian literature and folk songs to create a sense of chaotic, unstoppable nature, often personifying the storm as a restless force.
Example sentences for Russian are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blizzard” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
