шесть
šestʹ[ʂɛsʲtʲ]
Six in Russian is шесть (šestʹ). Wiktionary also lists ше́стеро (šéstero).
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| шесть | šestʹ | [ʂɛsʲtʲ] (narrow) [ʂɛsʲ] (narrow) |
|
| ше́стеро | šéstero | collective |
The word is used as a cardinal number to denote quantity. Related nouns include шестёрка, which can refer to the digit itself or a set/group of six components.
Which one should you use?
The standard cardinal number is шесть. However, шестеро is a collective numeral used specifically when referring to groups of people (typically men or mixed-gender groups) or certain animals.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The number шесть changes to шести in the genitive case, which is used to indicate possession, quantity or after many prepositions. When counting inanimate objects, the accusative form of шесть is identical to its nominative form шесть.
How do you pronounce it?
šestʹ
Did you know?
- The term шестёрка is commonly used in slang to refer to a 'six' in a deck of cards, but it can also colloquially refer to a person of low social standing or a 'lackey'.
- The word шест meaning 'pole' or 'perch' looks almost identical to шесть but is unrelated, often leading to puns in Russian literature.
- When using the collective numeral шестеро, Russian grammar forbids using it with inanimate objects, meaning you cannot use it to count six chairs or six books.
Examples in context
- Я встаю в шесть.I get up at six.This sentence is useful for stating the time of day using шесть.Tatoeba #442227 by Hellerick, translation #321577 by CK
- Мы едим в шесть.We eat at six.Tatoeba #3519853 by marafon, translation #3154682 by CK
- У нас шесть яиц.We have six eggs.This sentence is useful for expressing a quantity of eggs using шесть.Tatoeba #4690675 by odexed, translation #5359965 by CarpeLanam
- 594 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Sergey are checking the supplies for a small party.
- Мария MariaСергей, сколько здесь стульев?Sergey, skol'ko zdes' stulyev?Sergey, how many chairs are here?
- Сергей SergeyТут ровно шесть стульев.Tut rovno shest' stulyev.There are exactly six chairs here.
- Мария MariaЭто нам подходит.Eto nam podkhodit.That works for us.
- Сергей SergeyХорошо, я принесу их.Khorosho, ya prinesu ikh.Okay, I will bring them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “six” translations and entries шесть, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
