свет
svet[svʲet]masculine
The English word "light" is translated into Russian as свет (svet).
свет is the most common and general word for light in Russian. Related terms include the verbs освеща́ть and освети́ть for the act of illuminating, and the adjectives све́тлый and я́ркий for having light.
Meaning: visible light, brightness (noun)
Which one should you use?
While свет refers to the light itself, the adjective светлый is used to describe a space that is bright or well-lit. Additionally, Освещение is used specifically when referring to lighting or the act of lighting an area or space.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is svet.
Did you know?
- The phrase выйти в свет literally means 'to go out into the light' but is used as an idiom meaning 'to make a public appearance' or 'to enter high society'.
- Russian uses the word свет in the expression белый свет, which translates to 'white light' but actually means 'the whole wide world'.
- The word свет is a doublet of the word цвет, which means 'color' or 'bloom'.
Examples in context
- Я сплю при свете.I keep a light on while I sleep.The first sentence is useful for practicing the form свет.Tatoeba #11461988 by marafon, translation #11461983 by Nuel
- Я не погасил свет.I didn't turn off the light.The second sentence uses свет.Tatoeba #826711 by Maksimo, translation #261908 by CK
- В окне горел свет.There was a light burning in the window.The third sentence shows the use of свет.Tatoeba #2909876 by Balamax, translation #274175 by CM
- яркий светBright light
- естественный светNatural light
- искусственный светArtificial light
- Ты светишьсяYou're glowing
- 739 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Aleksandr are in a dark room.
- Екатерина EkaterinaАлександр, здесь совсем нет света.Aleksandr, zdes' sovsem net sveta.Aleksandr, there is no light here at all.
- Александр AleksandrЯ сейчас включу свет.Ya seychas vklyuchu svet.I will turn on the light now.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСпасибо, этот свет очень яркий.Spasibo, etot svet ochen' yarkiy.Thank you, this light is very bright.
- Александр AleksandrЗато теперь всё видно.Zato teper' vsyo vidno.At least now everything is visible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “light” translations and entries свет, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries свет, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
