молото́к
molotókmasculine
The English word 'hammer' can be translated into Russian as either мо́лот or молото́к (molotók).
Meaning: tool (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| молото́к | molotók | masculine |
| мо́лот | mólot | masculine |
The noun refers to the tool used for striking. While the most common word for a handheld hammer is молото́к, the related verb молоти́ть is used for the agricultural process of threshing grain or, colloquially, to pound something heavily.
Which one should you use?
молото́к is the diminutive form and is the standard word for a small, everyday handheld hammer. In contrast, мо́лот typically refers to a larger, heavier hammer or a sledgehammer.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both мо́лот and молото́к are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
molotók
Did you know?
- Russian has a specific phrase молоти́ть чепуху, which literally means 'to thresh nonsense', used when someone is talking rubbish.
- The word молото́к is also used to describe the 'hammer' mechanism in a watch or the percussion part of a piano.
- The verb молоти́ть can be used to describe the rhythmic sound of rain hitting a roof, mimicking the strike of a hammer.
Examples in context
- Этот молото́к очень лёгкий.Etot molotok ochen' lyogkiy.This hammer is very light.
- Где мой маленький молото́к?Gde moy malen'kiy molotok?Where is my small hammer?
- Возьми этот молото́к для работы.Voz'mi etot molotok dlya raboty.Take this hammer for the work.
Example conversation
Sergey and Maria are fixing a shelf together.
- Сергей SergeyМария, ты не ви́дишь мой молото́к?Mariya, ty ne vidish moy molotok?Maria, do you see my hammer?
- Мария MariaДа, он лежи́т в ящи́ке.Da, on lezhit v yashchike.Yes, it is lying in the drawer.
- Сергей SergeyПереда́й его мне, пожа́луйста.Pereday ego mne, pozhaluysta.Pass it to me, please.
- Мария MariaВот, держи́!Vot, derzhi!Here, take it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hammer” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
