Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| слот | slot | masculine | |
| щель | ščelʹ | [ɕːelʲ] (narrow) | feminine |
| отве́рстие | otvérstije | neuter |
In Russian, there are different words for a slot depending on whether you are describing a technical component, a physical gap or a general opening. While слот refers to specific technical or computing contexts, such as an expansion slot in a computer, щель is used for common physical narrow openings, cracks or gaps in a surface. For a more neutral and formal term for a hole or aperture of any shape, you can use отверстие. Additionally, the phrase временной интервал can be used to express a time slot for an appointment.
Which one should you use?
The loanword слот is used specifically for technical or computing contexts, such as an expansion slot in a computer. In contrast, щель is the most common way to describe a physical narrow opening, crack or gap in a surface. The term отверстие is a more neutral, formal term for a hole or aperture of any shape, not necessarily a narrow slot.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun щель has the plural form щели. The masculine noun слот has the plural form слоты.
How do you pronounce it?
slot
Did you know?
- While слот is used for computers, Russian uses the term окно (literally 'window') to describe a time slot in a schedule or a gap in a timeline.
- The word щель is the root for the Russian word щелкать, which means to click or snap your fingers. This describes the sound made when a small gap or slot closes quickly.
- The Russian word щель shares the same ancient Proto-Slavic root as the word for 'crack' or 'slit' in many other Slavic languages, such as the Polish szczelina.
Examples in context
- Бусина закатилась в щель.The bead rolled into the slot.This sentence shows how to describe an object rolling into a щель.Tatoeba #10271623 by Selena777, translation #10681327 by AlanF_US
- В щель явно кто-то подглядывал.Someone was clearly peeping through the slot.This sentence describes someone peeping through a щель.Tatoeba #10118971 by ZegPhig, translation #10660509 by AlanF_US
- Мэри вставила планку оперативной памяти в соответствующий слот.Mary inserted a stick of RAM into the RAM slot.This sentence demonstrates the technical use of слот in a computing context.Tatoeba #7004531 by odexed, translation #6168234 by sabretou
- У меня есть свободный слот в своем графике.I have a free slot in my schedule.
- Пожалуйста, вставьте карту в этот разъем.Please insert the card into this slot.
Example conversation
Sergey and Olga are setting up a new computer.
- Сергей SergeyВ какой слот вставить эту карту?V kakoy slot vstavit' etu kartu?In which slot should I insert this card?
- Ольга OlgaВ верхний слот, пожалуйста.V verkhniy slot, pozhaluysta.In the top slot, please.
- Сергей SergeyОльга, этот слот кажется поврежденным.Ol'ga, etot slot kazhetsya povrezhdennym.Olga, this slot seems to be damaged.
- Ольга OlgaДавай попробуем другой слот.Davay poprobuyem drugoy slot.Let's try another slot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slot” translations and entries щель, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries щель, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
