кора́бль
koráblʹmasculine
The English word "ship" can be translated into Russian as кора́бль (koráblʹ), су́дно or парохо́д.
Meaning: large water craft (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| кора́бль | koráblʹ | masculine |
| су́дно | súdno | neuter |
| парохо́д | paroxód | masculine |
These terms all refer to large watercraft, but they are used in different contexts. кора́бль is the most common term for a ship or vessel, while су́дно is used for any craft and парохо́д specifically refers to a steamship.
Which one should you use?
кора́бль is a general term used in both everyday speech and poetic contexts. су́дно is a more formal or technical term used in legal, maritime or official capacities. парохо́д is a specific historical term for a steamship, though it can occasionally be used more broadly.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the neuter noun су́дно is су́дна.
How do you pronounce it?
koráblʹ
Did you know?
- The word су́дно is a homonym that also means 'bedpan'. Context is essential to avoid confusing a massive maritime vessel with a piece of medical equipment.
- In Russian, the concept of 'shipwreck' is often expressed using the word 'wreckage' or 'ruins', but specifically with кораблекруше́ние, which combines the words for 'ship' and 'crushing'.
- The word корабль is often used in the Russian idiom корабль дураков, which translates to 'the ship of fools'. This refers to a group of people who are all misguided or delusional.
Examples in context
- Военный корабльWarship
- Пассажирский корабльPassenger ship
- Рыболовный корабльFishing ship
- Парусное судноSailing ship
- Грузовое судноCargo ship
Example conversation
Andrey and Maria are standing at the pier looking at the water.
- Андрей AndreyСмотри, какой красивый кора́бль!Smotri, kakoy krasivyy korabl'!Look, what a beautiful ship!
- Мария MariaДа, он выглядит очень мощным.Da, on vyglyadit ochen' moshchnym.Yes, it looks very powerful.
- Андрей AndreyКуда он сейчас плывёт?Kuda on seychas plyvyot?Where is it sailing to now?
- Мария MariaНаверное, в другой город.Navernoye, v drugoy gorod.Probably to another city.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ship” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
