соль
solʹ[solʲ]feminine
The English word salt is translated into Russian as соль (solʹ). Wiktionary also lists пова́ренная соль (povárennaja solʹ).
Meaning: sodium chloride (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| соль | solʹ | [solʲ] (narrow) | feminine |
| пова́ренная соль | povárennaja solʹ | feminine |
The word refers to the chemical substance sodium chloride.
Which one should you use?
While соль can refer to the chemical substance in general, поваренная соль specifically refers to common table salt used in cooking.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word соль changes to соли in the genitive case. This form is used to indicate possession or after words like 'нет' (no/none).
How do you pronounce it?
solʹ
When do people say it?
Russians often greet guests with bread and salt as a symbol of welcome.
Did you know?
- In Russian, the phrase соль can be used metaphorically to mean 'the gist' or 'the essence' of a matter. For example, the phrase соль дела means 'the heart of the matter'.
- The word соль is a feminine noun. Because of this, adjectives describing salt must also take a feminine ending, even when referring to the chemical element.
- A Russian learner might be confused to find that the musical note 'sol' is spelled exactly like the word for 'salt' in some contexts, though they are different words.
Examples in context
- Где у нас соль?Where do we keep the salt?Tatoeba #6959442 by nina99nv, translation #12235610 by sundown
- Не передашь мне соль?Will you pass me the salt?Tatoeba #2337680 by marafon, translation #25730 by CK
- У нас соль кончилась.We're out of salt.Tatoeba #10159000 by Wezel, translation #10110366 by ddnktr
- Забыл купить соль в магазинеI forgot to buy salt at the store.
- 149 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At the dinner table, Anastasia asks Andrei for the salt.
- Анастасия AnastasiaАндрей, передай мне, пожалуйста, соль.Andrey, pereday mne, pozhaluysta, sol'.Andrei, please pass me the salt.
- Андрей AndreyКонечно, вот она.Konechno, vot ona.Of course, here it is.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСпасибо.Spasibo.Thank you.
- Андрей AndreyНе забудь, что в супе мало соли.Ne zabud', chto v supe malo soli.Don't forget that there is little salt in the soup.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “salt” translations and entries соль, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
