ше́я
šéjafeminine
The English word "neck" is translated into Russian as ше́я (šéja). Wiktionary also lists вы́я (výja).
Meaning: part of body connecting the head and the trunk (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ше́я | šéja | feminine |
| вы́я | výja | feminine, obsolete |
The word refers to the part of the body that connects the head and the trunk.
Which one should you use?
While ше́я is the standard term, вы́я is an archaic and poetic version of the word that is not used in modern everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say "of the neck" (the genitive singular), you use the form шеи́.
How do you pronounce it?
šéja
Did you know?
- While ше́я is the anatomical term, Russians use the word горло meaning 'throat' when talking about wearing a scarf or a turtleneck sweater.
- There is a Russian idiom держать за ше́ю, which means to have complete control over someone or to keep them under one's thumb.
- In Russian folklore and fairy tales, the term вы́я is often used to describe the graceful necks of swans, whereas ше́я would sound too clinical or mundane.
Examples in context
- У меня была авария, но я чувствую себя хорошо, кроме шеи. Мне нужно обратиться к врачу.I had an accident, but I feel fine except for my neck. I need to see a doctor.
Example conversation
Olga and Sergey are talking about a scarf.
- Ольга OlgaТут очень холодно, ше́я мёрзнет.Tut ochen kholodno, sheya merznet.It is very cold here, my neck is freezing.
- Сергей SergeyНадень мой шарф, Ольга.Naden moy sharf, Olga.Put on my scarf, Olga.
- Ольга OlgaСпасибо, теперь ше́я в тепле.Spasibo, teper sheya v teple.Thanks, now my neck is warm.
- Сергей SergeyВот и хорошо.Vot i khorosho.That's good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “neck” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
