икра́
ikráfeminine
The English word "caviar" is икра́ (ikrá) in Russian. Wiktionary also lists чёрная икра́ (čórnaja ikrá).
Meaning: roe of the sturgeon or other large fish (black caviar) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| икра́ | ikrá | feminine |
| чёрная икра́ | čórnaja ikrá | feminine |
икра́ is a feminine noun used to refer to fish roe in general terms, not just the expensive kind.
Which one should you use?
While икра́ can refer to any kind of fish roe, чёрная икра́ specifically refers to the premium sturgeon caviar. For salmon roe, which is much more common in Russia than black caviar, the term кра́сная икра́ is used.
How do you pronounce it?
ikrá
Did you know?
- While икра́ refers to fish roe, it is also the word for the 'calf' muscle in the human leg. To specify the muscle, Russians use the phrase икро́нная мышца́.
- There is a common Russian culinary variation called икра́ из баклажа́нов, which is a savory eggplant spread. It is called 'caviar' because of its salty taste and grainy texture.
- If you ask for 'икра́' in a Russian grocery store without specifying a color, you will likely be handed bright orange salmon roe instead of the expensive black kind.
Examples in context
- На завтрак сервируют икру с тостами.For breakfast, they serve caviar with toasts.
- икра осетроваяSturgeon caviar
- Я предпочитаю осетровую икру.I prefer sturgeon caviar.
- Давай съедим икорку, она вкусная!Let's eat some caviar, it's delicious!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “caviar” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
