как сказать
kak skazat'
The English phrase "how do you say" is translated into Russian as как сказать (kak skazat').
как сказать is used to ask for the translation of a word or expression into another language. While как сказать is a direct way to express this, native speakers often use the construction как это будет… (how will this be…) when asking for translations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb как (how) and the infinitive verb сказать (to say).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase more natural when referring to a specific object or concept, you can insert the pronoun это (this/it) between the two words to form как это сказать.
How do you pronounce it?
kak skazat'
Did you know?
- If you use как сказать to ask for a word, you might accidentally sound like you are asking 'how should I put this?', a phrase used when someone is struggling to find a polite way to express a difficult thought.
- While как сказать asks for a translation, the related word сказка means 'fairy tale'. Both words derive from the act of telling or recounting a story.
- The word сказать comes from the archaic form каза́ть, a root that connects the act of saying to the ancient Proto-Slavic way of indicating or showing.
Examples in context
- Как сказать это по-турецки?How do you say it in Turkish?This sentence is useful for practicing the form как сказать to ask for a Turkish translation.Tatoeba #12597524 by LanguagesLover, translation #12595921 by Siria
- Как сказать "блог" на латыни?How do you say "blog" in Latin?This sentence uses the form как сказать to ask for the Latin translation of a specific word.Tatoeba #4439589 by Selena777, translation #4439585 by shekitten
- Как сказать это по-английски?How do you say it in English?This sentence is useful for asking how to say something in English using the form как сказать.Tatoeba #12597523 by LanguagesLover, translation #12595920 by Siria
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey is asking Maria for help with a Russian word.
- Андрей AndreyМария, как сказать "apple" по-русски?Mariya, kak skazat' "apple" po-russki?Maria, how do you say "apple" in Russian?
- Мария MariaЭто будет "яблоко".Eto budet "yabloko".That would be "yabloko".
- Андрей AndreyСпасибо за помощь!Spasibo za pomosh'!Thanks for the help!
- Мария MariaПожалуйста, Андрей.Pozhaluysta, Andrey.You're welcome, Andrey.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries как, сказать, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
