в
v[v]
The Russian word for 'in' is в (v).
в is the most standard and universal way to say 'in' in Russian. You might use внутри to specifically convey being 'inside' or 'within' something or the phrase На территории when referring to being 'in' a specific area or territory.
Meaning: contained by (prep)
How does it change in a sentence?
The grammatical case that follows в depends on whether you are describing direction or location. To express movement into a space, such as 'to go in', use в followed by the accusative case. To express a static location, such as 'to be in', use в followed by the prepositional case.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is v.
Did you know?
- In Russian-language scientific contexts, the single letter в is not always the preposition for 'in', but can actually be the abbreviation for 'volt', the unit of electromotive force.
- In some contexts, в is replaced by во to avoid a cluster of consonants that would be difficult to pronounce, such as before words starting with вл.
- When в is used in certain fixed idioms, it can change the meaning of a verb entirely, such as взять в себя meaning 'to compose oneself'.
Examples in context
- Он не в духе.He is in a bad mood.This example shows how to use в to describe someone's state of mind.Tatoeba #1537261 by marafon, translation #295082 by CK
- Я был в Риме.I was in Rome.This example shows how to use в to describe a static location in a city.Tatoeba #2199337 by Selena777, translation #4646731 by pinkmpnster
- Ты не в духе?Are you in a bad mood?This example shows how to use в to ask about someone's state of mind.Tatoeba #2493891 by paul_lingvo, translation #2120756 by LanguageExpert
- Я живу в МосквеI live in Moscow
- Они работают на территории фирмыThey work on the company's premises
- Положите это внутри сумкиPut it inside the bag
- Во двореIn the courtyard
- 15568 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking for a lost key in a living room.
- Анастасия AnastasiaКлюч в сумке?Klyuch v sumke?Is the key in the bag?
- Андрей AndreyНет, его нет в сумке.Net, yego net v sumke.No, it is not in the bag.
- Анастасия AnastasiaМожет быть, он в кармане?Mozhet byt', on v karmane?Maybe it is in the pocket?
- Андрей AndreyДа, он в кармане!Da, on v karmane!Yes, it is in the pocket!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “in” translations and entries в, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries в, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
