клей
klej[klʲej]masculine
The English word glue is translated into Russian as клей (klej).
клей is a masculine noun referring to a sticky adhesive substance.
Meaning: sticky adhesive substance (noun)
Which one should you use?
While клей is the noun, there are several related verbs with different nuances. The imperfective verb клеить describes the ongoing process of gluing. The perfective verb склеить is used for the completed act of joining two things together. The verb приклеить emphasizes the specific result of attaching one object onto the surface of another.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is romanized as klej.
Did you know?
- In Russian, the phrase клеить кого-то uses the verb for 'gluing' to mean flirting with someone or trying to 'pick them up'. It describes the attempt to 'attach' oneself to another person romantically.
- In Russian, the verb клеить is frequently used metaphorically to mean 'to fabricate' or 'to concoct' a story or a lie. It is often used when someone is making up an elaborate excuse.
- The word клей shares a root with the verb клеить, which is also used for the act of applying wallpaper to a wall. In English, one 'pastes' or 'papers' a room, but in Russian, you are effectively 'gluing' the walls.
Examples in context
- У тебя есть клей-карандаш?Do you have a glue stick?This example is useful for asking if someone has a клей (glue stick).Tatoeba #8097314 by cykel, translation #10122276 by ddnktr
- Не нюхай клей. Это вредно.Don't sniff glue. It's bad for you.This example uses клей to warn against sniffing it.Tatoeba #11954437 by scriptin, translation #11935972 by CK
- Нам нужно купить где-нибудь клей.We have to buy glue somewhere.This example is useful for stating the need to buy клей.Tatoeba #9985359 by ZegPhig, translation #9988411 by shekitten
- Где я могу найти качественный клей для работы по дереву?Where can I find high-quality wood glue?
- Можете ли вы подсказать, какой клей лучше использовать для пластика?Can you please suggest which glue is better to use for plastic?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are fixing a broken toy.
- Дмитрий DmitryМария, где лежит клей?Mariya, gde lezhit kley?Maria, where is the glue?
- Мария MariaОн в верхнем ящике стола.On v verkhnem yashchike stola.It is in the top drawer of the table.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭтот клей слишком медленно сохнет.Etot kley slishkom medlenno sokhnet.This glue dries too slowly.
- Мария MariaПодожди ещё пять минут, Дмитрий.Podozhdi yeshchyo pyat minut, Dmitriy.Wait five more minutes, Dmitry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “glue” translations and entries клей, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
