капу́ста
kapústafeminine
The Russian word for cabbage is капу́ста (kapústa).
капу́ста is the most general term for cabbage in Russian and can be used in any formal context. If you need to specifically refer to white cabbage, you use the term Белокочанная капуста.
Meaning: leaves of this plant eaten as a vegetable (noun)
Which one should you use?
The standard term is капу́ста, while the diminutive form Капустка is used in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, the word changes its form depending on its role. The genitive singular form, meaning 'of cabbage', is капусты. When the word is used as a direct object in the accusative singular case, use капусту.
How do you pronounce it?
kapústa
Did you know?
- In Russian slang, капу́ста is a common term for money. This is because banknotes are green and thin like cabbage leaves.
- While капу́ста refers to the plant, the word капустник refers to a specific type of improvised theatrical performance or a humorous skit often performed by students or colleagues.
- Russian culture has a specific folk belief that cabbage is a 'winter' vegetable because it preserves vitamins during the frost. It is the central ingredient in щи, a traditional soup that is a symbol of Russian home cooking.
Examples in context
- Эта капу́ста очень свежая.Eta kapusta ochen' svezhaya.This cabbage is very fresh.
- В холодильнике лежит капу́ста.V kholodil'nike lezhit kapusta.There is cabbage in the refrigerator.
- Нам нужна белая капу́ста для салата.Nam nuzhna belaya kapusta dlya salata.We need white cabbage for the salad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cabbage” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
