река́
rekáfeminine
The English word "river" is река́ (reká) in Russian. Wiktionary also lists ре́чка (réčka).
Meaning: large stream which drains a landmass (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| река́ | reká | feminine |
| ре́чка | réčka | feminine |
The term is used to describe a large stream that drains a landmass. While река́ is a neutral word used throughout the country, other forms exist to specify the size or tone of the description.
Which one should you use?
река́ is the standard, neutral term for a river. The diminutive form ре́чка is used specifically to refer to a small river, a stream or a brook. Additionally, the affectionate diminutive речушка can be used to describe a river in a more endearing way.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of река́ is реки́. If река́ is used as the direct object of a verb, such as in the sentence "I see the river", it changes to the accusative form реку́.
How do you pronounce it?
reká
Did you know?
- When speaking about the Volga, Russians often call it матушка-Волга or 'Mother Volga', treating the river as a familial maternal figure.
- In Russian, many river names are actually treated as feminine nouns because the word река́ is feminine, even if the name itself sounds masculine in other languages.
- In the Russian language, the word поток is used to describe a 'torrent' or 'stream', but it is also the standard word for a 'data stream' in computing.
Examples in context
- Давай прогуляемся вдоль речки?Let's take a walk along the river?
- Вчера мы купались в речушке.Yesterday we swam in the little river.
- моя рекаmy river
- Эта река́ очень глубокая.Eta reka ochen' glubokaya.This river is very deep.
- Рядом с городом течёт река́.Ryadom s gorodom techyot reka.A river flows near the city.
Example conversation
Alexander and Ekaterina are walking in a park near the water.
- Александр AleksandrПосмотри, какая красивая река́!Posmotri, kakaya krasivaya reka!Look, what a beautiful river!
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, она очень спокойная.Da, ona ochen' spokoynaya.Yes, it is very calm.
- Александр AleksandrЕкатерина, хочешь пойти туда поплавать?Ekaterina, khochesh' poyti tuda poplavat'?Ekaterina, do you want to go swimming there?
- Екатерина EkaterinaНет, сейчас слишком холодно.Net, seychas slishkom kholodno.No, it is too cold right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “river” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
