обе́д
obédmasculine
The English word 'lunch' is translated into Russian as обе́д (obéd). Wiktionary also lists второ́й за́втрак (vtorój závtrak) and ланч (lanč).
Meaning: meal around midday (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| обе́д | obéd | masculine | |
| второ́й за́втрак | vtorój závtrak | masculine | |
| ланч | lanč | [ɫanʲt͡ɕ] (narrow) | masculine |
| ленч | lenč | masculine |
The term refers to a midday meal.
Which one should you use?
обе́д is the standard, most common word for a midday meal and can also mean 'dinner' in the sense of a main evening meal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ланч is a loanword from English used primarily in modern, urban or business contexts, often referring to a light or quick meal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb обе́дать is the standard way to express the action of eating lunch. The perfective verb пообе́дать is used when emphasizing the completion of the meal, such as 'to have finished lunch'.
How do you pronounce it?
obéd
When do people say it?
In Russian culture, lunch is generally eaten between 1 PM and 3 PM. When dining out in Russia, it is customary to wait for everyone's food to arrive before starting to eat.
Did you know?
- In many Russian households, the term второ́й за́втрак, which literally translates to 'second breakfast', is a common way to refer to a midday snack or light lunch.
- If you are invited to a Russian home for обе́д, expect a multi-course meal involving soup, as soup is a nearly mandatory component of a traditional midday meal.
- In Russian schools and offices, a бизнес-ланч is a specific, fixed-price set menu designed to be eaten quickly during a short break.
Examples in context
- Я ел хот-дог на ланч.I ate a hot dog for lunch.This sentence shows how to use ланч to specify what was eaten.Tatoeba #2830411 by odexed, translation #259448 by CK
- Я так и не доел ланч.I never got to finish my lunch.This sentence demonstrates the use of ланч regarding an unfinished meal.Tatoeba #3345457 by Ooneykcall, translation #3199056 by CK
- Сегодня я плачу за ланч.Today I'm paying you for lunch.This sentence shows how to use ланч when discussing paying for a meal.Tatoeba #4470078 by vladb314, translation #4469940 by Joseph
- Давай пообедаем вместе?Let's have lunch together?
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing their plans for the break.
- Александр AleksandrКогда у нас обе́д?Kogda u nas obed?When is our lunch?
- Екатерина EkaterinaОбе́д обычно в час дня.Obed obychno v chas dnya.Lunch is usually at one p.m.
- Александр AleksandrПойдём сегодня вместе на обе́д?Poydyom segodnya vmeste na obed?Shall we go to lunch together today?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, Екатерина согласна!Da, Ekaterina soglasna!Yes, Ekaterina agrees!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lunch” translations and entries ланч, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
