огуре́ц
ogurécmasculine
The Russian word for cucumber is огуре́ц (oguréc).
The term refers to the edible fruit of the cucumber plant.
Meaning: edible fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
While огуре́ц is the general term for any cucumber, корнишоны is specifically used to refer to small pickled gherkins or cornichons.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of огуре́ц is огурцы, and the genitive singular form is огурца.
How do you pronounce it?
oguréc
Did you know?
- In Russian literature, a character described as having глаза как огурцы (eyes like cucumbers) is not being complimented on freshness, but is instead being described as having bulging, startled eyes.
- The phrase свеж как огурчик literally means 'fresh as a little cucumber' and is used to describe someone who is well-rested or refreshed.
- While English speakers use 'pickled' as a general term, Russians use солёные to describe cucumbers fermented naturally by salt and маринованные for those preserved with vinegar.
Examples in context
- Где я могу купить консервированные огурцы?Where can I buy pickled cucumbers?
- Пожалуйста, дай мне огурчик из холодильника.Please give me the cucumber from the fridge.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Dmitry are preparing a salad in the kitchen.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДмитрий, где у нас лежит огуре́ц?Dmitriy, gde u nas lezhit ogurets?Dmitry, where is the cucumber?
- Дмитрий DmitryОн в холодильнике на полке.On v kholodil'nike na polke.It is in the refrigerator on the shelf.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ его вижу, спасибо.Ya yego vizhu, spasibo.I see it, thank you.
- Дмитрий DmitryНе забудь его помыть.Ne zabud' yego pomyt'.Don't forget to wash it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cucumber” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
