ба́нка
bánkafeminine
The English word jar is translated into Russian as ба́нка (bánka). Wiktionary also lists скля́нка (skljánka) and кувши́н (kuvšín).
Meaning: small, approximately cylindrical container (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ба́нка | bánka | feminine |
| скля́нка | skljánka | feminine |
| кувши́н | kuvšín | masculine |
A jar is a small, approximately cylindrical container.
Which one should you use?
ба́нка is the most common word for a jar, typically used for food preservation (like jam or pickles) or soft drinks (like soda cans). скля́нка refers specifically to a small glass container, often used in a laboratory or medical context. кувши́н is used for a vessel used to pour liquids, like a pitcher or jug, rather than a storage jar with a lid.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ба́нка is ба́нки. When the jar is the direct object of a verb (e.g., 'I see the jar'), ба́нка changes to ба́нку.
How do you pronounce it?
bánka
When do people say it?
In Russian culture, giving homemade canned goods as gifts is a gesture that demonstrates care and affection.
Did you know?
- In Russian slang, the word ба́нка can sometimes refer to a 'can' of beer or even a large sum of money, depending on the social context.
- Russian has a specific term for the act of preserving food in jars called консерва́ция, which shares a root with the English word 'conservation'.
- While кувши́н means 'pitcher', it is often used in Russian fairy tales to describe magical vessels that never run empty.
Examples in context
- Я видел банку соленых огурцовI saw a jar of pickles
- Можешь мне принести баночку соленья?Can you bring me the jar of pickles?
- Эта ба́нка очень тяжёлая.Eta banka ochen' tyazhyolaya.This jar is very heavy.
- На столе стоит пустая ба́нка.Na stole stoit pustaya banka.An empty jar is standing on the table.
- Мне нужна стекля́нная ба́нка для варенья.Mne nuzhna steklyannaya banka dlya varenya.I need a glass jar for jam.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are in the kitchen looking for storage.
- Мария MariaАлександр, где эта ба́нка с мёдом?Aleksandr, gde eta banka s medom?Alexander, where is this jar of honey?
- Александр AleksandrОна стоит в шкафу на верхней полке.Ona stoit v shkafu na verkhney polke.It is standing in the cupboard on the top shelf.
- Мария MariaЯ её не вижу, помоги мне, пожалуйста.Ya eyo ne vizhu, pomogi mne, pozhaluysta.I don't see it, help me, please.
- Александр AleksandrСейчас, я достану её для тебя.Seychas, ya dostanu eyo dlya tebya.Hold on, I will get it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jar” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
