Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| раке́тная устано́вка | rakétnaja ustanóvka | feminine |
| реакти́вный гранатомёт | reaktívnyj granatomjót | masculine |
| реакти́вная систе́ма за́лпового огня́ | reaktívnaja sistéma zálpovovo ognjá | feminine |
| ракетомёт | raketomjót | masculine |
What does it mean word for word?
The word ракетомёт is a compound of ракета (rocket) and the suffix -мёт, which comes from the verb meaning to throw or hurl, literally translating to "rocket thrower".
Which one should you use?
раке́тная устано́вка is a formal or technical term used for large-scale, stationary or complex missile systems. In contrast, ракетомёт refers to a single-shot or man-portable weapon. For a specific type of man-portable weapon, such as an RPG, the term реакти́вный гранатомёт (rocket grenade launcher) is used. Finally, реакти́вная систе́ма за́лпового огня́ is the official military term for multiple rocket launcher systems, such as the BM-21 Grad.
How does it change in a sentence?
ракетомёт is a masculine noun that follows standard masculine declension patterns.
How do you pronounce it?
rakétnaja ustanóvka
Did you know?
- While гранатомёт is used for rocket launchers, the word грана́та (grenade) originally comes from the word for 'pomegranate' because of the fruit's shape and the way it bursts.
- The term реакти́вный used in these phrases means 'reactive' in a physics sense, referring to jet propulsion, rather than 'reactive' in a behavioral sense.
- In Russian military jargon, the complex term реакти́вная систе́ма за́лпового огня́ is almost always shortened to the acronym РСЗО (RSZO). Using the full phrase in a casual conversation would sound unnaturally formal.
Examples in context
- Вооружение включает в себя реактивные установки нового поколения.The armament includes next-generation rocket launchers.
- Эта раке́тная устано́вка очень мощная.Eta rakétnaya ustanóvka óchen' móshchnaya.This rocket launcher is very powerful.
- Где находится раке́тная устано́вка?Gde nakhóditsya rakétnaya ustanóvka?Where is the rocket launcher located?
- Нам нужна новая раке́тная устано́вка.Nam nuzhna nováya rakétnaya ustanóvka.We need a new rocket launcher.
Example conversation
Two military specialists are inspecting equipment.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСерге́й, посмотри́ на эту раке́тную устано́вку.Sergey, posmotri na etu raketnuyu ustanovku.Sergey, look at this rocket launcher.
- Сергей SergeyОна́ выглядит как но́вая.Ona vygljadit kak novaya.It looks like new.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПрове́рь, работает ли раке́тная устано́вка.Prover l, rabotaet li raketnaya ustanovka.Check if the rocket launcher is working.
- Сергей SergeyДа, всё в поря́дке.Da, vsyo v poryadke.Yes, everything is in order.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rocket launcher” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries гранатомёт, CC BY-SA 4.0.
