мат
mat[mat]masculine
The English phrase "checkmate" is translated into Russian as мат. Wiktionary also lists шах и мат (šax i mat).
Meaning: said when making the conclusive move in chess (intj)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| мат | mat | [mat] (narrow) [mˠät̪] (narrow) |
masculine |
| шах и мат | šax i mat | [ˈʂax i ˈmat] (narrow) |
The term is used when making the conclusive move in a game of chess. To describe the action of delivering a checkmate to an opponent, you can use the verb phrase ста́вить мат or поста́вить мат.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase шах и мат literally translates to "check and mate".
Which one should you use?
While шах и мат is the full phrase for "checkmate", the single word мат is often used as a shorthand to declare the end of the game.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word мат is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
mat
Did you know?
- The word мат used in chess is a homonym for the Russian word for profanity or obscene swearing. While a chess player says мат to announce victory, the same word is used to describe the most vulgar language in the country.
- The phrase шах и мат contains a linguistic history that stretches back to the Persian phrase meaning 'the king is dead'. This demonstrates how the game of chess travelled from India and Persia through the Arab world into Europe and finally Russia.
Examples in context
- Шах и мат, атеисты.Checkmate, atheists.This sentence is useful for seeing the phrase мат used as an exclamation.Tatoeba #9929393 by Ooneykcall, translation #9155773 by shekitten
- Шах и мат, атеисты!Checkmate, atheists!Tatoeba #11113261 by ZegPhig, translation #13673276 by Ooneykcall
- Чак Норрис может поставить мат за один ход.Chuck Norris can checkmate in one move.This sentence is useful for seeing the verb phrase поставить мат used to describe the action of checkmating.Tatoeba #13815392 by Ooneykcall, translation #13815396 by Ooneykcall
- Мат! Вы играли хорошо.Mat! You played well.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a game of chess in a park.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто мат!Eto mat!It is checkmate!
- Анастасия AnastasiaОй, я не заметила этого хода.Oy, ya ne zametila etogo khoda.Oh, I didn't notice that move.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы сыграла очень хорошо.Ty sygrala ochen' khorosho.You played very well.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСпасибо, Дмитрий. Сыграем еще раз?Spasibo, Dmitriy. Sygrayem yeshche raz?Thanks, Dmitry. Shall we play again?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “checkmate” translations and entries мат, шах и мат, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries и, мат, шах, шах и мат, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
