сли́вки
slívkifeminine, plural
The English word 'cream' can be translated into Russian as сли́вки (slívki) or смета́на depending on the type of cream.
Meaning: fatty part of milk (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| сли́вки | slívki | feminine, plural |
| смета́на | smetána | feminine |
сли́вки refers to the liquid fatty layer skimmed from the top of milk. It can also be used metaphorically in the phrase сли́вки общества to mean 'the cream of society', describing the elite or the best part of a group. смета́на refers to the thick, fermented product known as sour cream.
Which one should you use?
Use сли́вки when referring specifically to the liquid cream skimmed from milk. Use смета́на when you mean the thick, fermented product known as sour cream.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
slívki
Did you know?
- While English uses 'cream' for skincare, Russian uses the word крем, which is a loanword and is distinct from сли́вки and смета́на.
- The word смета́на comes from the Russian verb сметать, which means 'to sweep' or 'to gather together'.
- In Russia, смета́на is the traditional accompaniment for borscht, and eating the soup without a dollop of this cream is considered unusual.
Examples in context
- Можете пожалуйста принести сливки для кофе?Could you please bring some cream for the coffee?
- У вас есть крем для лица?Do you have face cream?
- Сметана всегда подходит к блинам.Sour cream always goes well with pancakes.
- Я купила сли́вки для десерта.Ya kupila slivki dlya deserta.I bought cream for the dessert.
Example conversation
Olga and Alexander are in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
- Ольга OlgaУ тебя есть сли́вки?U tebya yest' slivki?Do you have any cream?
- Александр AleksandrДа, они в холодильнике.Da, oni v kholodil'nike.Yes, they are in the refrigerator.
- Ольга OlgaОтлично, я добавлю их в кофе.Otlichno, ya dobavlyu ikh v kofe.Great, I will add them to the coffee.
- Александр AleksandrБудет очень вкусно.Budet ochen' vkusno.It will be very tasty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cream” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
