язы́к
jazýkmasculine
The English word 'language' can be translated into Russian as язы́к (jazýk) or речь.
Meaning: body of words used as a form of communication (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| язы́к | jazýk | masculine | |
| речь | rečʹ | [rʲet͡ɕ] (narrow) | feminine |
язы́к is used when you are referring to a specific linguistic system, such as the Russian language. When talking about one's 'mother tongue', the Russian phrase is родной язы́к.
What does it mean word for word?
The word язы́к literally means 'tongue', referring to the physical organ.
Which one should you use?
Use язы́к to denote a specific linguistic system (e.g., English or Russian). Use речь when referring to the faculty of speech or the act of speaking itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
язы́к is a masculine noun and речь is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
jazýk
Did you know?
- In Russian, the phrase держать язы́к за зу́бами literally means 'to keep the tongue behind the teeth' and is the common way to tell someone to keep a secret.
- The word язы́к is used to describe the 'tongue' of a shoe in Russian, showing how the physical organ metaphor extends to inanimate objects.
- To describe someone who talks too much, Russians use the expression длинный язы́к, which means 'a long tongue'.
Examples in context
- Человек – единственное животное, владеющее речью.Man is the only animal that possesses language.This sentence illustrates the use of речь when referring to the faculty of speech.Tatoeba #3166744 by odexed, translation #270274 by CM
- Английский языкEnglish language
- Французский языкFrench language
- Испанский языкSpanish language
- Какой язык тебе нравится больше всего?Which language do you like the most?
- Какой это язы́к?Kakoy eto yazyk?What language is this?
Example conversation
Dmitry and Ekaterina are at a cafe discussing hobbies.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДмитрий, ты зна́ешь испа́нский язы́к?Dmitriy, ty znayesh' ispanskiy yazyk?Dmitry, do you know the Spanish language?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, я изуча́ю англи́йский.Net, ya izuchayu angliyskiy.No, I am studying English.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЭто о́чень поле́зный язы́к.Eto ochen' poleznyy yazyk.That is a very useful language.
- Дмитрий DmitryСогла́сен, Екатерина́.Soglasen, Ekaterina.I agree, Ekaterina.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “language” translations and entries речь, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
