свято́й
svjatój
The English word 'holy' is translated into Russian using свято́й (svjatój) or свяще́нный.
Meaning: revered in a religion (adj)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| свято́й | svjatój |
| свяще́нный | svjaščénnyj |
The term is used to describe something or someone revered in a religious context. While свято́й often relates to personhood, the related noun святы́ня refers to a physical holy object or a shrine.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on whether you are referring to a person or an abstract concept. Use свято́й when referring to a person who is a saint or someone considered holy in a religious sense. Use свяще́нный when referring to things that are sacred, such as a ritual, a place or a concept.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form свято́й changes to свято́го in the genitive case, such as when saying 'of the holy man'.
How do you pronounce it?
svjatój
Did you know?
- While свято́й is used for saints, the term ю́родивый describes a specific type of 'holy fool' who acts insane to humble the proud.
- In Russian, the word свято́й is also used to describe the 'holiest' or most sacred state of things, but it can also appear in the common idiom святые угодники, which literally translates to 'holy servants' and is used as a mild exclamation of surprise.
- In Russian, the word свято́й can be used sarcastically to describe someone who is pretending to be virtuous or 'too pure for this world'.
Examples in context
- Это святая вода.This is holy water.
- Какое святое место!What a holy place!
- Это свято́й город.Eto svyatoy gorod.This is a holy city.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Alexander are visiting an ancient church.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПосмотри, какой здесь свято́й дух.Posmotri, kakoy zdes' svyatoy dukh.Look, what a holy spirit is here.
- Александр AleksandrДа, я чувствую это, Анастасия.Da, ya chuvstvuyu eto, Anastasiya.Yes, I feel it, Anastasia.
- Анастасия AnastasiaНам нужно вести себя тихо.Nam nuzhno vesti sebya tikho.We need to be quiet.
- Александр AleksandrЯ согласен с тобой, Александр.Ya soglasen s toboy, Aleksandr.I agree with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “holy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
