письмо́
pisʹmóneuter
In Russian, the word for a written message or letter is письмо́ (pisʹmó). If unsure, use письмо́. Wiktionary also lists посла́ние (poslánije).
Meaning: written message (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| письмо́ | pisʹmó | neuter |
| посла́ние | poslánije | neuter |
The standard word письмо́ is used to refer to both a physical letter and an electronic letter, such as an email (электронное письмо). To refer to multiple letters, use the plural form письма́.
Which one should you use?
While письмо́ is the standard term for a letter, посла́ние is a more formal or literary term used to mean a message, epistle or dispatch.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of письмо́ is письма́.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is pisʹmó.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use Буква if you mean a written message. Буква refers specifically to a letter of the alphabet.
Did you know?
- The formal word посла́ние is frequently used in religious contexts to refer to the Epistles of the New Testament. In everyday speech, using it for a standard letter would sound like a joke or a theatrical performance.
- If you are talking about the handwriting or the style of writing, you would use the word почерк instead of письмо́.
- The verb used to 'write' a letter is писать, which is the same verb used to describe the act of 'writing' a character of the alphabet.
Examples in context
- Я получил письмо от друга.I received a letter from a friend.
Example conversation
Andrey and Maria are talking in the living room.
- Андрей AndreyМария, ты получила моё письмо́?Mariya, ty poluchila moyo pis'mo?Maria, did you receive my letter?
- Мария MariaДа, Андрей, спасибо.Da, Andrey, spasibo.Yes, Andrey, thank you.
- Андрей AndreyЧто ты об этом думаешь?Chto ty ob etom dumayesh'?What do you think about it?
- Мария MariaОно было очень трогательным.Ono bylo ochen' trogatel'nym.It was very touching.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “letter” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
