Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| головоло́мка | golovolómka | feminine | |
| пазл | pazl | [pazɫ] (narrow) | masculine |
The term is used for a game, toy or problem that requires mental effort to complete or solve as a pastime or test of ability. For the specific type of puzzle involving interlocking pieces, use пазл. For general brain teasers or riddles, use головоло́мка. Note that when working with a jigsaw puzzle, Russians use the verb собирать (to assemble/collect) rather than разгадывать (to solve). Conversely, the verb разгадывать is used with головоло́мка to describe the mental process of solving a riddle or a logic problem.
What does it mean word for word?
The word головоло́мка is a compound of голова (head) and ломать (to break), meaning 'head-breaker'.
Which one should you use?
While both words can translate to puzzle, пазл specifically refers to a jigsaw puzzle made of interlocking pieces, whereas головоло́мка is a more general term for any brain teaser or riddle.
How does it change in a sentence?
пазл is a masculine noun and головоло́мка is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
golovolómka
Did you know?
- Because головоло́мка refers to any brain teaser, it is the term used for a Rubik's Cube, even though a cube is a physical object like a пазл.
- While пазл is a direct loan from English, it is often used as a metaphor in Russian politics or business to describe 'putting the pieces together' of a complex situation.
- If you are 'solving' a головоло́мка, you are разгадывая it, which is the same verb used for deciphering secret codes or solving a mystery.
Examples in context
- Никто не мог разгадать пазл.No one could solve the puzzle.This sentence shows how to use the word пазл in the context of solving it.Tatoeba #3629871 by odexed, translation #276583 by CK
- В этом пазле пятьсот деталей.This puzzle has 500 pieces.This sentence shows the use of пазл when discussing its component parts.Tatoeba #12982122 by marafon, translation #60672 by CK
- Я собираю пазл!I'm solving a puzzle.This sentence demonstrates the verb usage with пазл.Tatoeba #2851140 by odexed, translation #2850671 by CM
- Люди часто предпочитают решать головоломки в свободное время.People often prefer to solve puzzles in their free time.
- Дети с радостью отгадывают загадки.Children enjoy solving puzzles.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puzzle” translations and entries пазл, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
