рука́
rukáfeminine
The English word "hand" is translated into Russian as рука́ (ruká) or кисть руки́.
Meaning: part of the fore limb (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| рука́ | ruká | feminine |
| кисть руки́ | kistʹ rukí | feminine |
In broader contexts, it can refer to the entire arm.
Which one should you use?
рука́ is the general term used to refer to both the arm and the hand. In contrast, кисть руки́ is used when you want to be anatomically specific, referring strictly to the hand itself (the part from the wrist to the fingers) as opposed to the whole arm.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
ruká
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly assume there is a single word for "arm" that is distinct from "hand". However, in many everyday Russian contexts, рука́ covers both.
Did you know?
- The word кисть used for the hand is the same word Russians use for a 'bunch' of grapes or flowers.
- The word кисть can also refer to a paintbrush, drawing a conceptual connection between a 'hand' and a tool that holds a 'bunch' of bristles.
- When describing a 'handful' of something, Russians use the word горсть, which comes from the word for 'fist' rather than the word for 'hand'.
Examples in context
- Простите, пожалуйста, дайте мне пожать Вашу руку.Excuse me, please, let me shake your hand.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hand” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries кисть, CC BY-SA 4.0.
