магази́н
magazínmasculine
The English phrase 'shop' can be translated into Russian as магази́н (magazín). Wiktionary also lists ла́вка (lávka) and бути́к (butík).
Meaning: establishment that sells goods (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| магази́н | magazín | masculine |
| ла́вка | lávka | dated, feminine |
| бути́к | butík | masculine |
The primary term for an establishment that sells goods is магази́н. If you are referring to a shopping center or mall, use Торговый центр. To express the action of visiting shops, you can use the phrases де́лать поку́пки or покупа́ть.
Which one should you use?
магази́н is the standard, most common word for any kind of shop or store. ла́вка refers to a small shop or stall and carries a dated or old-fashioned connotation. бути́к is used specifically for small, high-end or specialized clothing/fashion shops. For a small, cozy or specialized retail establishment, you can use магазинчик.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of магази́н is магази́ны.
How do you pronounce it?
magazín
Did you know?
- The word магази́н is actually a loanword from the French 'magasin', which originally referred to a warehouse or storehouse rather than a retail shop.
- The word ла́вка comes from the Russian word for 'bench', as early merchants would sell their goods while sitting on a bench or from a bench-like counter.
- While магази́н is the standard term, you may see old signs for Гастроно́м, a specific type of food shop that became an iconic symbol of Soviet urban life.
Examples in context
- Я иду в магазин купить продукты.I am going to the shop to buy groceries.
- Возле торгового центра есть кафе.There is a cafe near the shopping center.
- Куплю хлеб в ближайшей лавке.I'll buy bread at the nearest store.
- Посмотри, какой милый магазинчик!Look at that lovely little shop!
- Этот магази́н закрыт сегодня.Etot magazin zakryt segodnya.This shop is closed today.
- Где находится ближайший магази́н?Gde nakhoditsya blizhayshiy magazin?Where is the nearest shop?
- Я иду в продуктовый магази́н.Ya idu v produktovyy magazin.I am going to the grocery shop.
Example conversation
Alexander and Ekaterina are talking about their shopping plans.
- Екатерина EkaterinaАлександр, ты пойдёшь в этот магази́н?Aleksandr, ty poydyosh' v etot magazin?Alexander, are you going to this shop?
- Александр AleksandrДа, мне нужно купить продукты.Da, mne nuzhno kupit' produkty.Yes, I need to buy some groceries.
- Екатерина EkaterinaХорошо, я подожду тебя дома.Khorosho, ya podozhdu tebya doma.Okay, I will wait for you at home.
- Александр AleksandrСкоро буду.Skoro budu.I'll be back soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shop” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
