плач
plač[pɫat͡ɕ]masculine
The English noun "crying" is translated into Russian as плач (plač).
плач is used to refer to the act or the sound of crying itself.
Meaning: action of the verb cry (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the noun and the verb. While плач refers to the concept or sound of crying (the noun), the verb плакать is used to describe the action of crying.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
плач is a masculine noun and follows standard masculine declension patterns. The verbal root for this noun can be found in the infinitive verb плакать.
How do you pronounce it?
plač
Did you know?
- In traditional Russian culture, плач refers to a specific genre of ritual wailing songs performed by professional mourners at funerals.
- Russian distinguishes between плакать, which is the standard word for 'crying', and рыдать, which describes loud, convulsive sobbing.
- In Russian, you might hear the word плач used in the phrase плач души, which literally translates to 'crying of the soul' to describe deep, existential anguish.
Examples in context
- Том и Мэри плачут.Tom and Mary are crying.This sentence shows how to use the verb form of the word to describe Tom and Mary.Tatoeba #6395484 by marafon, translation #6358627 by CK
- Ты ведь не плачешь?You're not crying, are you?This sentence uses the verb form to ask a question about someone's state.Tatoeba #6831492 by marafon, translation #6831312 by CK
- Мы услышали её плач.We heard her crying.This sentence demonstrates using the noun плач to refer to the sound or act heard.Tatoeba #11188125 by Ooneykcall, translation #11188124 by sundown
- Она побежала в свою комнату и плакала в подушку.She ran to her room and cried into her pillow.
- После ужасных новостей, она начала громко рыдать.After the terrible news, she started crying loudly.
- Он не смог сдержать слёзы при прощании.He couldn't hold back tears when saying goodbye.
- 323 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olga and Andrey are in a quiet room after a movie.
- Ольга OlgaЭтот плач в фильме был очень грустным.Etot plach v fil'me byl ochen' grustnym.The crying in the movie was very sad.
- Андрей AndreyДа, это было очень эмоционально.Da, eto bylo ochen' emotsional'no.Yes, it was very emotional.
- Ольга OlgaАндрей, ты тоже расстроился?Andrey, ty tozhe rasstroilsya?Andrey, did you get upset too?
- Андрей AndreyПросто фильм был очень сильным.Prosto film byl ochen' sil'nym.The film was just very powerful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crying” translations and entries плач, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
