игры
igry
The English word "games" is translated into Russian as игры (igry).
игры refers to activities played for entertainment or sport. You can use more specific terms to describe certain types of games, such as Видеоигры for video games, Компьютерные игры for computer games and Настольные игры for board games.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While игры is the standard term, you may encounter the colloquial and endearing term Игульки used to refer to games.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form игры is the nominative plural of the singular noun игра.
How do you pronounce it?
igry
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say играть игры when trying to say "to play games." Instead, you must use the preposition в with the verb, resulting in the correct construction играть в игры.
Did you know?
- Russian uses the word игра to describe the 'play' of light or colors. For example, the shimmering effect of sunlight on water is called игра света.
- While игры means 'games', the verb играть also means 'to play a musical instrument'. A Russian speaker does not use the preposition в when playing a piano or guitar, but only when playing a game.
- The diminutive form игрульки is not just a casual way to say 'games', but it can also be used sarcastically to dismiss something as trivial or unimportant. It adds a layer of condescension that the standard word lacks.
Examples in context
- Я в игры не играю.I don't play games.This sentence shows how to use игры in a negative statement about playing.Tatoeba #3035134 by marafon, translation #2050557 by CK
- Они играли в игры.They played games.This sentence demonstrates the use of the verb and игры in the past tense.Tatoeba #5617483 by marafon, translation #2243288 by CK
- Какие игры он любит?What games does he like?This sentence shows how to ask a question about preferences using игры.Tatoeba #11179506 by marafon, translation #9169149 by carlosalberto
- Мы собираемся играть в настольные игры с друзьями.We are going to play board games with friends.
- Он проводит много времени за компьютерными играми.He spends a lot of time playing computer games.
- Какие видеоигры тебе нравятся больше всего?Which video games do you like the most?
- 131 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are discussing a new hobby.
- Дмитрий DmitryМария, ты любишь настольные игры?Mariya, ty lyubish nastol'nye igry?Maria, do you like board games?
- Мария MariaДа, Дмитрий, я обожаю такие игры.Da, Dmitriy, ya obozhayu takie igry.Yes, Dmitry, I adore those games.
- Дмитрий DmitryДавай купим новые игры сегодня.Davay kupim novye igry segodnya.Let's buy some new games today.
- Мария MariaОтличная идея, пойдём!Otlichnaya ideya, poydyom!Great idea, let's go!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
