каранда́ш
karandášmasculine
The Russian word for pencil is каранда́ш (karandáš).
The word refers to a graphite writing instrument.
Meaning: graphite writing-instrument (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a masculine noun. Its singular genitive form is карандаша, used to mean "of the pencil". The nominative plural is карандаши for "pencils", and the instrumental plural is карандашами for "with pencils".
How do you pronounce it?
karandáš
Did you know?
- The word каранда́ш is a loanword from the Turkish kurşun, which means 'lead' or 'bullet'.
- While English speakers say 'pencil lead', a Russian speaker would never use the word for 'lead' (свинец) to describe the inside of a каранда́ш, as they know it is actually graphite.
- The phrase набросать карандашо́м literally means to 'throw' something down with a pencil, used when sketching a rough draft quickly.
Examples in context
- Пожалуйста, дайте мне карандаш.Please give me a pencil.
- У меня нет карандаша.I don't have a pencil.
- Могу я взять твой карандаш?Can I borrow your pencil?
- Мне нужен простой каранда́ш.Mne nuzhen prostoy karandash.I need a graphite pencil.
- Этот каранда́ш очень острый.Etot karandash ochen' ostryy.This pencil is very sharp.
Example conversation
Maria and Dmitry are studying together in a library.
- Мария MariaДмитрий, у тебя есть каранда́ш?Dmitriy, u tebya yest karandash?Dmitry, do you have a pencil?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, держи.Da, derzhi.Yes, here you go.
- Мария MariaСпасибо большое!Spasibo bolshoye!Thank you very much!
- Дмитрий DmitryНе забудь вернуть его.Ne zabud yernut yego.Don't forget to return it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pencil” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
