Николай
Nikolai
Nikolai is a male given name in Russian, written as Николай.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the name is the object of a preposition such as для (for) or без (without), the ending changes to Николая. When giving something to Nikolai, the name takes the dative ending Николаю. When saying 'with Nikolai', the name takes the instrumental ending Николаем.
How do you pronounce it?
Nikolai
Did you know?
- The name has a 'patronymic' version, where a son of a man named Nikolai would be called Николаевич (Nikolaevich). This middle name is used in almost all formal or respectful settings in Russia.
- In many Russian families, a man named Николай will almost never be addressed as such in conversation. Instead, friends and family use the diminutive form Коля to show warmth and closeness.
- Russian folklore and religious tradition strongly link Николай to Saint Nicholas, who is viewed as a protector of travelers and prisoners.
Examples in context
- В 1961 году Николай Храпов получил 7 лет лагерей за написание псалма «Привет вам Христово цветущее племя», ставшего впоследствии гимном русской баптистской молодёжи.In 1961, Nikolai Khrapov received 7 years in the camps for writing the psalm "Greetings to you, Christ’s budding tribe", which later became the anthem of the Russian Baptist youth.This sentence shows the name Николай used in a historical context.Tatoeba #8146686 by Ivanovb, translation #8167647 by Ivanovb
- Один из «героев веры», баптист Николай Храпов, во времена СССР проведший 29 лет в заключении за Имя Господа, написал автобиографический роман «Счастье потерянной жизни».One of the “heroes of the faith”, Baptist Nikolai Khrapov, who spent 29 years in prison for the Name of the Lord during the times of the USSR, wrote an autobiographical novel entitled “The Happiness of a Lost Life”.This sentence shows the name Николай used in a biographical context.Tatoeba #8337224 by Ivanovb, translation #8347286 by Ivanovb
- Привет, Коля!Privet, Kolya!
- Николай сегодня пришёл на работу вовремя.Nikolay segodnya prishol na rabotu vovremya.Nikolai arrived at work on time today.
Example conversation
Alexander is introducing his friend to Catherine.
- Александр AleksandrКатя, познакомься, это Николай.Katya, poznakomsya, eto Nikolay.Katya, meet Nikolai.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПривет, Николай! Очень приятно.Privet, Nikolay! Ochen priyatno.Hi, Nikolai! Very nice to meet you.
- Александр AleksandrНиколай сейчас работает врачом.Nikolay seychas rabotaet vrachom.Nikolai is currently working as a doctor.
- Екатерина EkaterinaОго, это очень уважаемая профессия.Ogo, eto ochen uvazhaemaya professiya.Wow, that is a very respected profession.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
