рисовать
risovat'
To paint in Russian is рисовать (risovat').
The verb рисовать refers specifically to the artistic act of drawing or painting a picture.
Meaning: to apply paint to (verb)
Which one should you use?
While рисовать is used for artistic creation, you should use the verb красить when you want to describe the functional act of applying a coating to a surface, such as painting a wall, a fence or a car.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the verb is the infinitive рисовать. When you want to say "I paint" or "I am drawing" in the present tense, use the first person singular form рисую.
How do you pronounce it?
risovat'
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using рисовать when you mean to paint a physical object like a house or a wall. In those functional contexts, use красить instead.
Did you know?
- The Russian verb рисовать comes from the Polish word rysować, which descended from a Middle High German word meaning 'to scratch' or 'to tear'.
- While рисовать is for art, the word красить used for painting walls shares a root with the Russian word for 'beautiful' красивый.
- The verb красить is used not only for paint but also for dyeing hair or fabric.
Examples in context
- Я не умею рисовать.I can't paint.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to perform the action of рисовать.Tatoeba #5769182 by marafon, translation #5840515 by CK
- Я не люблю рисовать.I don't like to paint.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of preference for the action of рисовать.Tatoeba #10856893 by anaadrus, translation #1579438 by fanty
- Кто научил вас рисовать?Who taught you how to paint?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's instruction in the art of рисовать.Tatoeba #9443825 by marafon, translation #9443821 by CK
- Я покупаю новую краску для своей картины.I am buying new paint for my painting.
- Он любит красить деревянные стулья.He enjoys painting wooden chairs.
- Краска, которую я купил, очень качественная.The paint that I bought is of very good quality.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are in an art class.
- Александр AleksandrОльга, что ты любишь рисовать?Olga, chto ty lyubish risovat?Olga, what do you like to paint?
- Ольга OlgaЯ люблю рисовать цветы.Ya lyublyu risovat tsvety.I love to paint flowers.
- Александр AleksandrЯ хочу рисовать пейзажи сегодня.Ya khochu risovat peyzazhi segodnya.I want to paint landscapes today.
- Ольга OlgaЭто отличная идея, Александр!Eto otlichnaya ideya, Aleksandr!That is a great idea, Alexander!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries рисовать, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
