се́вер
sévermasculine
The English word "north" is се́вер (séver) in Russian. Wiktionary also lists норд (nord).
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| се́вер | séver | masculine | |
| норд | nord | [nort] (narrow) | masculine |
The primary way to refer to the compass point is using the noun се́вер. For describing winds coming from the north in meteorology, the adjective се́верный is used.
Which one should you use?
While се́вер is the standard word for the compass point, норд is a technical term used primarily in specialized fields such as navigation or meteorology.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate movement towards the north, use the preposition на with the accusative case: на се́вер. To express moving in the direction of the north or approaching it, use the preposition к with the dative case: к се́веру.
How do you pronounce it?
séver
Did you know?
- The technical term норд was borrowed from the Dutch word noord.
- In Russian folklore, the 'north wind' севе́рный ве́тер is often personified as a cold, stern character who brings winter.
- Russian has a unique word заполя́рье to describe the region 'beyond the polar circle' in the north, which has no single-word equivalent in English.
Examples in context
- Я еду на север на следующей неделе.I'm going north next week.
- Север России холодный, но красивый.The north of Russia is cold but beautiful.
- Мы собираемся встретиться на севере этим летом.We're planning to meet up north this summer.
- Море на севере лучше всего для серфинга.The sea up north is best for surfing.
- Поехали вверх на северок, там будут самые красивые горы.Let's head up north, the most beautiful mountains are there.
- На карте город находится на се́вере.Na karte gorod nakhoditsya na severye.The city is located in the north on the map.
Example conversation
Alexander and Maria are looking at a map.
- Александр AleksandrГде здесь се́вер?Gde zdes' sever?Where is north here?
- Мария MariaСе́вер в этой стороне.Sever v etoy storone.North is in this direction.
- Александр AleksandrТеперь я вижу.Teper' ya vizhu.Now I see.
- Мария MariaПойдём в ту сторону.पोydyom v tu storonu.Let's go that way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “north” translations and entries норд, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries норд, CC BY-SA 4.0.
