Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| улыба́ться | ulybátʹsja | imperfective |
| улыбну́ться | ulybnútʹsja | perfective |
| усмеха́ться | usmexátʹsja | imperfective |
| усмехну́ться | usmexnútʹsja | perfective |
The verb describes the act of having a smile on one's face. While the standard forms focus on a warm or genuine smile, other forms can imply a smirk or a sarcastic grin. Related nouns include улы́бка for a happy, friendly smile and усме́шка for a mocking smirk.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between genuine smiling and smirking, as well as between ongoing and momentary actions. For a warm, genuine smile, use the imperfective улыба́ться for an ongoing or habitual process or the perfective улыбну́ться for a single, momentary smile. For a smirk, wry smile or sarcastic grin, use the imperfective усмеха́ться for a continuous action or the perfective усмехну́ться for a single instance of smirking.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
ulybátʹsja
Did you know?
- In Russian culture, smiling at strangers on the street is often seen as a sign of foolishness or insincerity rather than friendliness. A common saying is 'smiling without a reason is a sign of a fool'.
- If you want to describe a smile that is purely physical without any emotion, you might use the word оскал (grin/snarl), which is often associated with animals showing teeth.
- Russian has no single word for 'beaming', but writers often use the phrase сия́ть от сча́стья, which literally means 'to shine from happiness'.
Examples in context
- Том пыта́лся не улыба́ться.Tom tried not to smile.This sentence shows how to use улыба́ться in a negative context.Tatoeba #3234395 by Wayawa, translation #2546344 by CK
- Она всегда с приятной улыбкой приветствует гостей.She always welcomes guests with a pleasant smile.
- Они были довольны его галантной улыбкой.They were pleased with his charming smile.
- Желаю тебе хорошего дня! Улыбнись и наслаждайся жизнью.Wishing you a good day! Smile and enjoy life.
- Скинь мне твою любимую улыбашку, чтобы поддержать настроение.Send me your favorite smiley to lift the mood.
Example conversation
Sergei and Olga are looking at old photos.
- Сергей SergeyПосмотри, как ты здесь улыба́ешься!Posmotri, kak ty zdes' ulybaesh'sya!Look at how you are smiling here!
- Ольга OlgaЯ просто был очень счастлив тогда.Ya prosto byl ochen' schastliv togda.I was just very happy then.
- Сергей SergeyТы сейчас тоже должен улыба́ться.Ty seychas tozhe dolzhen ulybat'sya.You should be smiling now too.
- Ольга OlgaХорошо, я буду улыба́ться.Khorosho, ya budu ulybat'sya.Okay, I will smile.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smile” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
