кефи́р
kefírmasculine
The English phrase "kefir" is translated into Russian as кефи́р (kefír).
The word кефи́р is the standard and most widely used term for this fermented milk product. In professional or scientific contexts, one might use the formal descriptive phrase Ферментированный молочный напиток, which means "fermented milk drink".
Meaning: fermented milk (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
кефи́р is a masculine noun. When referring to the liquid itself, it does not have a common plural form. In the singular, you may use the genitive form кефи́ра after words like "glass of" (стакан кефи́ра).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kefír.
When do people say it?
In Russian-speaking cultures, кефи́р is a very common staple beverage that is frequently consumed for breakfast or used as a probiotic drink.
Did you know?
- Russian speakers sometimes use кефи́р as a base for 'okroshka', a cold summer soup made with raw vegetables and herbs.
- The living cultures responsible for the drink's fermentation are specifically referred to as кефи́рные грибки, which translates literally to 'kefir fungi'.
- In Russia, кефи́р is often mixed with mineral water to create a fizzy, refreshing drink known as кефи́р с минералкой. This combination is particularly popular during the hot summer months.
Examples in context
- Я хотел бы купить кефир.I would like to buy kefir.
- Ты можешь мне принести немного кефира?Can you bring me some kefir?
- У бабушки самый вкусный домашний кефир.Grandma makes the best homemade kefir.
- Давай выпьем освежающего кефира после ужина!Let's have some refreshing kefir after dinner!
- В холодильнике стоит свежий кефи́р.V kholodil'nike stoit svezhiy kefir.There is fresh kefir in the refrigerator.
- Я люблю пить кефи́р на завтрак.Ya lyublyu pit' kefir na zavtrak.I like to drink kefir for breakfast.
- Этот кефи́р очень вкусный.Etot kefir ochen' vkusnyy.This kefir is very tasty.
Example conversation
Olga and Aleksandr are in the kitchen in the morning.
- Ольга OlgaАлександр, ты хочешь кефи́р?Aleksandr, ty khochesh' kefir?Aleksandr, do you want some kefir?
- Александр AleksandrДа, Ольга, спасибо.Da, Ol'ga, spasibo.Yes, Olga, thank you.
- Ольга OlgaОн ещё очень свежий.On yeshchyo ochen' svezhiy.It is still very fresh.
- Александр AleksandrОтлично, я как раз проголодался.Otlichno, ya kak raz progolodalsya.Great, I am just getting hungry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kefir” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
