нож
nož[noʂ]masculine
The English word knife is translated into Russian as нож (nož). Wiktionary also lists но́жик (nóžik).
Meaning: utensil or tool designed for cutting (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| нож | nož | [noʂ] (narrow) | masculine |
| но́жик | nóžik | masculine |
The word refers to a utensil or tool designed for cutting. Related verbs include ре́зать and поре́зать, which mean to use a knife to cut something, whereas прире́зать, заре́зать and заколо́ть are used when referring to using a knife to injure or kill.
Which one should you use?
нож is the standard term for a knife, while the diminutive form но́жик is used to refer to a small knife, a pocket knife or to express endearment.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the singular genitive case, which is used to indicate possession or follows certain prepositions, the word нож changes to ножа.
How do you pronounce it?
nož
Did you know?
- The term нож is used in the name of many specialized tools, such as 'ножницы' for scissors, which literally translates to 'little knives' in a plural form.
- To bypass the superstition of gifting a нож, the recipient traditionally gives the giver a small coin in return, effectively 'buying' the item to avoid bad luck.
- The word нож descends from the Proto-Slavic *nožь, making it a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'knife'.
Examples in context
- У неё был нож.She had a knife.This sentence shows the use of нож to indicate possession.Tatoeba #8650553 by marafon, translation #8650550 by CH
- Я бы хотел нож.I'd like to have a knife.This sentence shows how to express a desire to have a нож.Tatoeba #2519468 by paul_lingvo, translation #2730953 by Hybrid
- Это не ваш нож.That is not your knife.This sentence demonstrates how to use нож to identify ownership.Tatoeba #4724193 by Balamax, translation #42814 by CC
- 542 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are in the kitchen preparing dinner.
- Дмитрий DmitryМария, где мой нож?Mariya, gde moy nozh?Maria, where is my knife?
- Мария MariaОн лежит на столе.On lezhit na stole.It is lying on the table.
- Дмитрий DmitryСпасибо, этот нож очень острый.Spasibo, etot nozh ochen' ostryy.Thanks, this knife is very sharp.
- Мария MariaБудь осторожнее, Дмитрий.Bud' ostorozhneye, Dmitriy.Be careful, Dmitry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knife” translations and entries нож, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries нож, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
