Пе́сах
Pésaxmasculine
Passover in Russian is Пе́сах (Pésax). Wiktionary also lists Па́сха (Pásxa).
Meaning: one-day Biblical feast or festival during which the firstborn sons of the Israelites were passed over by God while those of the Egyptians were killed, Jewish festival of Pesach (name)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Пе́сах | Pésax | masculine |
| Па́сха | Pásxa | feminine |
The term refers to the Jewish festival of Passover, a Biblical feast during which the firstborn sons of the Israelites were passed over by God while those of the Egyptians were killed.
Which one should you use?
There is a critical distinction between the two forms. Пе́сах is the specific term used to refer to the Jewish holiday of Passover. In contrast, Па́сха is the standard Russian word for the Christian holiday Easter.
How does it change in a sentence?
Пе́сах is a masculine noun and follows masculine declension patterns. Па́сха is a feminine noun and follows feminine declension patterns.
How do you pronounce it?
Pésax
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use Па́сха when you mean the Jewish holiday Passover, as Па́сха specifically refers to the Christian Easter.
Did you know?
- The word Па́сха refers not only to the holiday of Easter but also to the specific traditional Russian cheese cake eaten during the celebration.
- The word Пе́сах is a direct phonetic transliteration from Hebrew, whereas Па́сха has been heavily integrated into the Slavic linguistic tradition.
- If you ask a Russian speaker for Па́сха, they will likely expect to talk about dyed eggs and spring, rather than the Biblical exodus.
Examples in context
- У нас сегодня Песах, к нам приходят гости.Today is Passover, and we have guests coming over.
- Пе́сах это важный еврейский праздник.Pesakh eto vazhnyy yevreyskiy prazdnik.Passover is an important Jewish holiday.
- Они празднуют Пе́сах в своей семье.Oni prazdnuyut Pesakh v svoyey sem'ye.They celebrate Passover in their family.
- Когда начинается Пе́сах в этом году?Kogda nachinayetsya Pesakh v etom godu?When does Passover start this year?
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing upcoming holiday plans.
- Мария MariaАлександр, ты будешь праздновать Пе́сах?Aleksandr, ty budesh' prazdnovat' Pesakh?Alexander, will you celebrate Passover?
- Александр AleksandrДа, Мария, я готовлюсь к нему.Da, Mariya, ya gotovlyus' k nemu.Yes, Maria, I am preparing for it.
- Мария MariaЭто прекрасная традиция.Eto prekrasnaya traditsiya.It is a wonderful tradition.
- Александр AleksandrСогласен, это очень значимый день.Soglasen, eto ochen' znachimyy den'.I agree, it is a very significant day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “passover” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
