тень
tenʹ[tʲenʲ]
The English word shadow is тень (tenʹ) in Russian.
The word refers to an area protected by an obstacle.
Meaning: area protected by an obstacle (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of тень is тени. The instrumental case form тенью is used to indicate the means by which something is done or to describe a state, such as 'covered by a shadow'.
How do you pronounce it?
тень is pronounced [tenʹ].
Did you know?
- The word тень is used in the expression наводить тень на плетень, which literally means 'to cast a shadow on a fence' but is used to describe someone trying to confuse or mislead others.
- In Russian folklore and superstition, stepping on someone's тень was sometimes believed to be a bad omen or a way to steal a person's soul.
- While 'shadow' in English is often used for the dark shape on a surface, the Russian тень can also refer to the 'shades' or 'ghosts' of the dead in a more poetic or archaic context.
Examples in context
- Жизнь – это тень.Life is a shadow.Tatoeba #2524228 by dimitris, translation #6771082 by pstamato
- Я видел его тень!I saw his shadow!Tatoeba #12322034 by marafon, translation #13581704 by Native77
- Тень падает на стену.The shadow falls upon the wall.Tatoeba #5372443 by nina99nv, translation #5374454 by Amittai
- Вечерний солнечный свет бросает тень на домThe evening sunlight casts a shadow on the house
- Ребята, посмотрите на эту теньку на стене!Guys, look at this cute little shadow on the wall!
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A hot summer day in a park.
- Сергей SergeyЗдесь очень жарко.Zdes' ochen' zharko.It is very hot here.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПойдем в тень того дерева.Poydyom v tyen' togo dereva.Let's go into the shade of that tree.
- Сергей SergeyОтличная идея, Екатерина.Otlichnaya ideya, Ekaterina.Great idea, Ekaterina.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТам будет гораздо лучше.Tam budet gorazdo luchshe.It will be much better there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry тень, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
