пистоле́т
pistolétmasculine
The English word 'gun' is translated into Russian as пистоле́т (pistolét). Wiktionary also lists ствол (stvol) and пу́шка (púška).
Meaning: portable, short weapon, for hand use (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| пистоле́т | pistolét | masculine | |
| ствол | stvol | [stvoɫ] (narrow) | colloquial, masculine |
| пу́шка | púška | feminine, slang | |
| револьве́р | revolʹvér | masculine |
The term refers to a portable, short weapon intended for hand use.
What does it mean word for word?
The colloquial term ствол literally means 'barrel'.
Which one should you use?
The default term is пистоле́т. The word револьве́р specifically refers to a revolver. If you are speaking colloquially, you might use ствол, while пу́шка is a slang term. In formal contexts, the phrase огнестрельное оружие is used to mean 'firearm'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ствол is colloquial, and пу́шка is considered slang. For a formal tone, use the expression огнестрельное оружие.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
пистоле́т, ствол and револьве́р are masculine nouns. пу́шка is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
pistolét
Did you know?
- In Russian, the word пушка can also be used in modern youth slang to mean something is 'cool' or 'awesome', similar to how 'fire' is used in English. This creates a double meaning where a 'fire gun' could metaphorically mean a 'cool gun'.
- The slang term ствол literally means 'trunk' or 'stem', much like the trunk of a tree. Using it to refer to a weapon is a linguistic metaphor focusing on the physical shape of the barrel.
- In Russian, the word пушка is used as slang for a gun, but it is also the standard word for a large artillery cannon. Using it to mean a handgun might sound humorous or slightly mismatched to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- Ты не хочешь направлять этот ствол на меня.You don't want to point that gun at me.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the colloquial ствол.Tatoeba #3774978 by Ooneykcall, translation #2026487 by CK
- Владение огнестрельным оружием требует ответственности.Owning a firearm requires responsibility.
- Охотники используют ружья для охоты на пернатую дичь.Hunters use shotguns for bird hunting.
- Он достал пистоле́т из сумки.On dostal pistolet iz sumki.He took the gun out of the bag.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Olga are watching an action movie.
- Дмитрий DmitryСмотри, у этого героя крутой пистоле́т!Smotri, u etogo geroya krutoy pistolet!Look, this hero has a cool gun!
- Ольга OlgaДа, но он не умеет им пользоваться.Da, no on ne umeyet im polzovat'sya.Yes, but he doesn't know how to use it.
- Дмитрий DmitryЗато он очень быстро стреляет.Zato on ochen' bystro strelyayet.But he shoots very fast.
- Ольга OlgaЭто просто спецэффекты, Дмитрий.Eto prosto spets-effekty, Dmitriy.Those are just special effects, Dmitry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gun” translations and entries ствол, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ствол, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
