коменда́нтский час
komendántskij časmasculine
The English phrase curfew is translated into Russian as коменда́нтский час (komendántskij čas).
коменда́нтский час refers to a regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time.
Meaning: regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a compound of the adjective комендантский, meaning 'commandant's' and the noun час, meaning 'hour'.
How does it change in a sentence?
This is a masculine noun. When used in constructions such as 'during the curfew', it takes the genitive case ending '-а', resulting in the form комендантского часа.
How do you pronounce it?
komendántskij čas
Did you know?
- In Russian, the word коменда́нт is a direct loanword from the French commandant, reflecting the heavy influence of French military and court culture on the Russian Empire.
- In many Russian-speaking regions, the term комендантский час is used specifically by authorities to describe a strict prohibition of movement, often enforced by military presence.
- The word час descends from the Proto-Slavic *časъ, which originally meant 'a period of time' or 'a season' rather than a strict 60-minute window.
Examples in context
- Гражданам необходимо придерживаться комендантского часа.Citizens need to abide by the curfew.
- В городе действует коменда́нтский час.V gorode deystvuyet komendantskiy chas.A curfew is in effect in the city.
- Коменда́нтский час начнется в полночь.Komendantskiy chas nachnetsya v polnoch'.The curfew will start at midnight.
- Мы нарушили коменда́нтский час.My narushili komendantskiy chas.We broke the curfew.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Olga are talking about returning home.
- Дмитрий DmitryНам нужно спешить домой.Nam nuzhno speshit' domoy.We need to hurry home.
- Ольга OlgaПочему ты так торопишься, Дмитрий?Pochemu ty tak toropish'sya, Dmitriy?Why are you in such a rush, Dmitry?
- Дмитрий DmitryСегодня начинается коменда́нтский час.Segodnya nachinayetsya komendantskiy chas.The curfew starts today.
- Ольга OlgaОй, я совсем забыла об этом.Oy, ya sovsem zabyla ob etom.Oh, I completely forgot about that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “curfew” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries час, CC BY-SA 4.0.
