ночь
nočʹ[not͡ɕ]feminine
The Russian word for "night" is ночь (nočʹ).
ночь refers to the period between sunset and sunrise.
Meaning: period between sunset and sunrise (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ночь is the standard noun, ночи is used in specific grammatical contexts such as the genitive singular. In very informal settings, you might encounter the diminutive form Ноченька, which adds a suffix to express endearment.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ночь is a feminine noun. The form ночи is the genitive singular, which is required after words like всю (all) or to indicate possession. To express the adverbial phrase "at night", use the instrumental singular form ночью.
How do you pronounce it?
ночʹ
Did you know?
- Russian writers often use белая ночь (white night) to refer to the summer solstice period in Saint Petersburg where the sun barely sets.
- While English speakers say 'good night' as a farewell, Russians use спокойной ночи, which literally translates to 'quiet night'.
- The Russian word ночь is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'night', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *nókʷts.
Examples in context
- Я помню ту ночь.I remember that night.This sentence shows how to use the form ночь to talk about a specific night.Tatoeba #5203973 by marafon, translation #5203947 by CK
- Я ждал всю ночь.I've been waiting all night.This sentence demonstrates the use of the form ночь when saying "all night".Tatoeba #12425296 by marafon, translation #2359314 by CK
- Мы всю ночь пили.We drank all night.This sentence shows the form ночь used in the context of an activity lasting the whole night.Tatoeba #3461955 by marafon, translation #2193766 by Hybrid
- Спокойной ночи!Good night!
- Ночью все кошки серы.At night, all cats are gray.
- Она работает ночами.She works at night.
- С наступлением ночиWith the arrival of the night
- Белая ночьWhite Night
- Жизнь начинается ночьюLife begins at night
- 1633 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey and Maria are talking about their sleep schedules.
- Андрей AndreyТы часто работаешь в ночь?Ty chasto rabotayesh' v noch'?Do you often work at night?
- Мария MariaНет, обычно я сплю всю ночь.Net, obychno ya splyu vsyu noch'.No, usually I sleep all night.
- Андрей AndreyЯ тоже люблю спать долго.Ya tozhe lyublyu spat' dolgo.I also like to sleep for a long time.
- Мария MariaТогда спокойной ночи, Андрей!Togda spokoynoy nochi, Andrey!Then good night, Andrey!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “night” translations and entries ночь, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ночь, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
