голубой
golubój[ɡəɫʊˈboj]
The English phrase 'light blue' is translated into Russian as голубой (golubój).
голубой is a noun used to describe a pale blue colour: sky blue or similar.
Meaning: a pale blue colour: sky blue or similar (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Russian, there is a distinct lexical distinction between голубой (light blue/sky blue) and синий (dark blue/deep blue).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective голубой must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, so the feminine form is голубая. The neuter form of the adjective is голубое. The plural form of the adjective is голубые. The form голубого is used for the genitive case of masculine and neuter nouns, or when describing 'of light blue' color.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [golubój].
Did you know?
- In certain historical contexts, the word голубой served as a coded slang term for gay men. This originated from secret meetings in Moscow's Sverdlov Square, where pigeons were used as a metaphor.
- While English speakers categorize 'light blue' and 'dark blue' as shades of the same color, Russian speakers treat голубой and синий as two entirely different basic colors.
Examples in context
- Она в голубой куртке.She is wearing a light blue jacket.This sentence is useful for describing what someone is wearing using голубой.Tatoeba #8632125 by marafon, translation #8946829 by sundown
- На нём был голубой галстук.He was wearing a light blue tie.This sentence is useful for describing an item of clothing using голубой.Tatoeba #12420535 by marafon, translation #10218344 by megamanenm
- Я покрасил крышу в голубой цвет.I painted the roof light blue.This sentence is useful for describing the colour of a painted object using голубой.Tatoeba #1507340 by Biga, translation #256314 by CK
- Их фирменный цвет – голубой.Their brand color is light blue.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey and Olga are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- Андрей AndreyТебе нравится эта картина?Tebe nravitsya eta kartina?Do you like this painting?
- Ольга OlgaДа, мне очень нравится этот голубой.Da, mne ochen' nravitsya etot goluboy.Yes, I really like this light blue.
- Андрей AndreyОльга, этот оттенок очень спокойный.Ol'ga, etot ottenok ochen' spokoynyy.Olga, this shade is very calm.
- Ольга OlgaТы прав, Андрей.Ty prav, Andrey.You are right, Andrey.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry голубой, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries голубой, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
