Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| серебро́ | serebró | inanimate, neuter |
| арге́нтум | argéntum | inanimate, masculine |
| сребро́ | srebró | neuter, poetic |
When you need to describe the color or appearance of something, you use серебри́стый, whereas сере́бряный is used for things actually made of silver.
Which one should you use?
There are three distinct forms for the noun. серебро́ is the standard term. арге́нтум is the Latin-derived term used specifically in scientific or chemical contexts to refer to the element silver. сребро́ is an archaic or poetic version of серебро́ used in literature or religious contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
сребро́ is an archaic or poetic version used in literature or religious contexts, and арге́нтум is used specifically in scientific or chemical contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun серебро́ is an inanimate neuter noun. The genitive singular form of серебро́ is серебра́, used to indicate possession or 'of silver' (e.g., 'a ring of silver').
How do you pronounce it?
serebró
Did you know?
- While серебро́ is the metal, the Russian word for 'silverware' or 'cutlery' is столо́вые прибо́ры, which makes no mention of the material silver at all.
- Russian uses the root of серебро́ to create the word серебри́ться, a verb that describes the specific way something glitters or shimmers under light.
- The Russian word for 'silver' shares an ancient root with the word for 'bright' or 'shining' in several other Slavic languages, emphasizing luminosity over the physical element.
Examples in context
- Я бы хотел(а) купить серебряное кольцо.I would like to buy a silver ring.
- Здесь предлагают высококачественное серебро.They offer high-quality silver here.
- У тебя очень красивые серебряные серьги.You have very beautiful silver earrings.
- Мой брат носит серебряные цепочки.My brother wears silver chains.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Sergey are looking at jewelry in a store.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСергей, посмотри на эти серьги!Sergey, posmotri na eti ser'gi!Sergey, look at these earrings!
- Сергей SergeyОни очень красивые. Это серебро́?Oni ochen' krasivye. Eto serebro?They are very beautiful. Is it silver?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, это чистое серебро́.Da, eto chistoye serebro.Yes, it is pure silver.
- Сергей SergeyТогда я куплю их тебе.Togda ya kuplyu ikh tebe.Then I will buy them for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silver” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
