хруста́ль
xrustálʹmasculine
The English word crystal can be translated into Russian as хруста́ль (xrustálʹ). Wiktionary also lists го́рный хруста́ль (górnyj xrustálʹ).
Meaning: mineral (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| хруста́ль | xrustálʹ | masculine |
| го́рный хруста́ль | górnyj xrustálʹ | masculine |
In everyday Russian, хруста́ль often refers to high-quality lead crystal glassware rather than the geological mineral. The phrase го́рный хруста́ль is the specific term used for clear quartz (rock crystal).
Which one should you use?
While хруста́ль is used for glassware and specific minerals like quartz, the word криста́лл is the standard scientific term for a crystal structure or a crystal in a chemical/geological context. For the specific mineral rock crystal (quartz), use the phrase го́рный хруста́ль.
How do you pronounce it?
xrustálʹ
Did you know?
- The word хрусталь shares a root with the Russian word for 'crunch' or 'crackle', хрустеть, evoking the sound of breaking glass or frozen snow.
- In Russian culture, хрусталь is often associated with the 'service' or sets of fine glassware kept in a side cabinet and used only for the most honored guests.
- The word хруста́ль shares a semantic space with 'clarity' in Russian literature, often used metaphorically to describe a voice or a person's eyes.
Examples in context
- Хруста́ль блестит на свету.Khrustal' blestit na svetu.The crystal shines in the light.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crystal” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
