магия
mágija[ˈmaɡʲɪjə]
The English word 'magic' is translated into Russian as магия (mágija).
магия is the standard and most widely used term for 'magic' in the Russian language. You can use it to refer to the concept of magic generally, such as in белая магия (white magic) or черная магия (black magic). If you are specifically talking about stage magic or illusions performed for entertainment, Russians often prefer the word фоку́сы (tricks) instead of магия.
Meaning: illusion performed to give the appearance of magic or the supernatural (noun)
Which one should you use?
While магия is the noun, there are several adjectives used to describe things as 'magical'. The adjective маги́ческий is used in more formal, academic or technical contexts, such as describing 'magical properties'. In contrast, волше́бный is the most common way to describe something as 'magical' in a fairy-tale or enchanting sense. Other related adjectives include колдовско́й, which refers to having supernatural qualities and волше́бный, which can also mean 'wonderful'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun магия changes to маги́и in the genitive case. This form is used after many prepositions or to indicate possession, such as when saying 'the power of magic'.
How do you pronounce it?
mágija
Did you know?
- If you call a person a волшебник, you are describing a wizard or a fairy-tale character, whereas calling them a маг sounds more like calling them a practitioner of the occult.
- The phrase фокус-покус is the Russian equivalent of 'hocus pocus' and is used by performers when performing фокусы.
- The term колдовство often carries a darker or more traditional folklore connotation of witchcraft, whereas магия sounds more like a formal or academic study.
Examples in context
- Дружба – это магия.Friendship is magic.This sentence shows how to use магия to express that friendship is magic.Tatoeba #3285577 by odexed, translation #1105645 by Haehnchenpaella
- Магия это иллюзия.Magic is an illusion.This sentence uses магия to define magic as an illusion.Tatoeba #7939176 by odexed, translation #5964422 by mailohilohi
- Здесь магия и вершится.That's where the magic happens.This sentence demonstrates the use of магия in the phrase 'where the magic happens'.Tatoeba #5139851 by Karok, translation #5139623 by Hybrid
- Какая магия!What magic!
- Верить в магиюBelieve in magic
- Искусство магииArt of magic
- Магия в воздухеMagic is in the air
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Ekaterina are watching a street performer.
- Дмитрий DmitryСмотри, это настоящая магия!Smotri, eto nastoyashchaya magiya!Look, this is real magic!
- Екатерина EkaterinaНет, это просто ловкость рук.Net, eto prosto lovkost ruk.No, it is just sleight of hand.
- Дмитрий DmitryНо я не вижу никакого обмана.No ya ne vizhu nikakogo obmana.But I don't see any trickery.
- Екатерина EkaterinaМагия всегда работает так.Magiya vsegda rabotayet tak.Magic always works that way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry магия, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
