мину́та
minútafeminine
The Russian word for "minute" (unit of time) is мину́та (minúta).
The word мину́та is the standard and most common way to express a minute in Russian.
Meaning: unit of time (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form мину́та is a feminine noun. Depending on the context, the word changes: мину́ты is used for the genitive singular or the nominative plural, while мину́т is the genitive plural form required after most numbers from 5 to 20.
How do you pronounce it?
minúta
Did you know?
- If you are waiting for someone, you might hear them say минутку, which uses the diminutive suffix to make the wait sound much shorter and more polite than the standard минута.
- While English speakers say 'in a minute', a Russian speaker might say через минуту, which literally translates to 'after a minute'.
- The term минута is used in the expression минута славы, meaning 'moment of glory', which is often used to describe a brief period of fame that does not last.
Examples in context
- Мне потребовалось всего несколько минут, чтобы закончить задание.I needed just a few minutes to finish the task.
- Пожалуйста, подождите несколько минут, я сейчас вернусь.Please wait a few minutes, I'll be right back.
- Данное событие произошло в течение нескольких минуток.This event occurred within a few minutes.
- Директор провел собрание всего на несколько минуток.The director held a meeting for just a few minutes.
- Подожди минуточку, я только закончу письмо.Wait a minute, I'm just finishing up this letter.
- Давай встретимся через несколько минуток в парке.Let's meet in a few minutes in the park.
- Минутку! Я забыл зажечь свет перед выходом.Hold on a minute! I forgot to turn on the lights before leaving.
- Прошла всего одна мину́та.Proshla vsego odna minu-ta.Only one minute has passed.
Example conversation
Dmitry is asking Maria for a moment of her time.
- Дмитрий DmitryМария, у тебя есть одна мину́та?Mariya, u tebya yest' odna minu-ta?Maria, do you have one minute?
- Мария MariaДа, Дмитрий, я слушаю.Da, Dmitriy, ya slushayu.Yes, Dmitry, I'm listening.
- Дмитрий DmitryМне нужна твоя помощь.Mne nuzhna tvoya pomosh'.I need your help.
- Мария MariaКонечно, что случилось?Konechno, chto sluchilos'?Of course, what happened?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “minute” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
