игра
The English word game is translated into Russian as игра.
Игра refers to an activity described by a set of rules, especially for the purpose of entertainment. While it means game, the noun can also refer to the act of playing in a theatrical or musical context.
Meaning: activity described by a set of rules, especially for the purpose of entertainment (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of игра is игры. When the word is the direct object of a verb like to play (играть), it changes from игра to игру. Additionally, in Russian, you do not simply play a game. You must use the construction играть в followed by the game.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'game' can refer to wild animals hunted for sport, игра is never used to describe animals. For hunting 'game', Russian uses the word дичь.
- If you are discussing a board game like chess, Russians often use the word партия to refer to a single 'game' or 'match' between players, rather than using игра for the specific session.
- The Proto-Slavic root *jьgra is believed to be related to the concept of 'to strike' or 'to act', much like the roots behind various European words for performance.
Examples in context
- Что это за игра?What game is it?Tatoeba #2701453 by marafon, translation #2702685 by magnificentgoddess
- Мы играем в игру.We're playing a game.Tatoeba #7862324 by saiko, translation #5907661 by OsoHombre
- Сами играл в игру.Sami was playing a game.Tatoeba #8994445 by sharptoothed, translation #7250452 by OsoHombre
- В этой игре я преуспел.In this game, I succeeded.
- 422 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a video game in a cafe.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЭта игра очень интересная.Eta igra ochen' interesnaya.This game is very interesting.
- Андрей AndreyДа, новая игра отличная.Da, novaya igra otlichnaya.Yes, the new game is excellent.
- Екатерина EkaterinaАндрей, ты часто играешь в эту игру?Andrey, ty chasto igrayesh' v etu igru?Andrey, do you play this game often?
- Андрей AndreyЕкатерина, я играю в неё каждый день.Ekaterina, ya igrayu v neyo kazhdyy den'.Ekaterina, I play it every day.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries игра, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
