зе́ркало
zérkaloneuter
The English word mirror is зе́ркало (zérkalo) in Russian. Wiktionary also lists зерца́ло (zercálo).
Meaning: smooth reflecting surface (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| зе́ркало | zérkalo | neuter |
| зерца́ло | zercálo | neuter |
Both forms refer to a smooth reflecting surface. If you wish to speak about the action of reflecting as a mirror does, you would use the verb отражать. Other related verbs include повторять and напоминать, which can mean to reflect or be identical to an event, activity or behavior.
Which one should you use?
зе́ркало is the standard modern word for a mirror, while зерца́ло is an archaic and poetic version.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word зе́ркало is a neuter noun. Its plural form is зе́ркала.
How do you pronounce it?
zérkalo
Did you know?
- In Russian folklore, the word зе́ркало is often linked to the world of the dead, and some old traditions suggest covering all mirrors in a house when a person dies to prevent the soul from getting trapped.
- The archaic form зерца́ло was historically used not just for glass mirrors, but for any polished surface or even as a metaphor for a book that reflects moral truths.
- In Russian, the phrase зе́ркало души́ describes the 'mirror of the soul', usually referring to the eyes, though it is sometimes used to describe a person's face.
Examples in context
- Я вижу свое отражение в зеркале.I see my reflection in the mirror.
- Посмотри в зеркальце перед выходом.Take a look in the mirror before heading out.
Example conversation
Olga and Andrey are getting ready to go out.
- Ольга OlgaАндрей, где моё зе́ркало?Andrey, gde moyo zerkalo?Andrey, where is my mirror?
- Андрей AndreyОно лежит на столе.Ono lezhit na stole.It is lying on the table.
- Ольга OlgaОй, я его вижу.Oy, ya ego vizhu.Oh, I see it.
- Андрей AndreyТеперь мы можем идти.Teper' my mozhem idti.Now we can go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mirror” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
