ту́пик
túpikmasculine
The English word 'puffin' is translated into Russian as ту́пик (túpik). Wiktionary also lists топо́рик (topórik).
Meaning: Fratercula arctica (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ту́пик | túpik | masculine |
| топо́рик | topórik | masculine |
The term refers to the bird Fratercula arctica.
Which one should you use?
While ту́пик is the standard term for the bird, you may also encounter the informal term топо́рик.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both ту́пик and топо́рик are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
túpik
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may confuse the bird name with the common noun for a 'dead end' because they are spelled identically in unaccented Russian (тупик).
Did you know?
- The word тупик for a puffin shares the same root as the word for 'dull' or 'obtuse', тупой. This reflects an old belief that the bird was slow-witted.
- The informal name топо́рик literally translates to 'little axe', referring to the bird's distinctive beak shape.
- Because тупик means 'dead end', Russian speakers sometimes make puns about puffins getting lost or being unable to find their way.
Examples in context
- Это ту́пик.It's a puffin.This sentence is useful for identifying the bird ту́пик.Tatoeba #14023137 by marafon, translation #14023202 by araneo
- Извините, вы видели тупик на этом острове?Excuse me, but have you seen a puffin on this island?
- Посмотри на этого милого тупичка возле скал!Look at that adorable puffin near the cliffs!
- Мы увидели ту́пика на скале.My uvideli tupika na skale.We saw a puffin on the cliff.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at a nature book in a library.
- Андрей AndreyСмотри, какой яркий ту́пик!Smotri, kakoy yarkiy tupik!Look, what a colorful puffin!
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, Андрей, он очень милый.Da, Andrey, on ochen' milyy.Yes, Andrey, it is very cute.
- Андрей AndreyЕкатерина, ты любишь этих птиц?Ekaterina, ty lyubish' etikh ptits?Ekaterina, do you love these birds?
- Екатерина EkaterinaОчень сильно.Ochen' sil'no.Very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puffin” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
