часы
chasy
The Russian word for "hours" is часы (chasy).
The word часы is used to refer to a device used to measure and show the current time, such as a clock or a watch, as well as to the plural measurement of time (hours).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word часы is a plural form. While the singular form for one hour is час, the word for a timepiece (a clock or watch) is always the plural часы.
How do you pronounce it?
chasy
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular час when referring to a timepiece. However, the device itself is always часы.
Did you know?
- Russian has a specific word for a 'sand timer' or 'hourglass' called песочные часы, which literally translates to 'sand hours'.
- When asking for the time, Russians often use the word час in the phrase Который час?, which literally asks 'Which hour is it?'
- Because часы is a plural noun, you must use plural adjectives and verbs when describing your timepiece. For example, you would say your 'beautiful' watch is красивые часы rather than using a singular form.
Examples in context
- На это уйдут часы.It'll take hours.This sentence is useful for expressing how much time a task will take.Tatoeba #5170553 by odexed, translation #2248990 by CK
- На это могли уйти часы.It could take hours.This sentence is useful for expressing the possibility of a task taking a long time.Tatoeba #4141460 by odexed, translation #3436633 by CK
- Мы ждали часы напролёт.We waited for hours and hours.This sentence is useful for describing waiting for an extended period of time.Tatoeba #8766832 by Balamax, translation #248474 by CK
- Пять часов три́дцать одна́ мину́та5:31
- Одна́ тринадцáть1:13
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrei and Maria are in a living room looking at a wall clock.
- Андрей AndreyМария, посмотри на эти часы.Mariya, posmotri na eti chasy.Maria, look at this clock.
- Мария MariaОни очень красивые, Андрей.Oni ochen krasivye, Andrey.They are very beautiful, Andrei.
- Андрей AndreyНо эти часы немного спешат.No eti chasy nemnogo speshat.But this clock is a bit fast.
- Мария MariaДавай их починим завтра.Davay ikh pochinim zavtra.Let's fix them tomorrow.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
