дым
dym[dɨm]masculine
The English word smoke is translated into Russian as дым (dym). Wiktionary also lists чад (čad).
Meaning: visible particles and vapour given off by burning material (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| дым | dym | [dɨm] (narrow) | masculine |
| чад | čad | [t͡ɕat] (narrow) | masculine |
The noun refers to the visible particles and vapour given off by burning material. You can use the related adjective дымный to describe things such as a smoke trail (дымный след) or a smoky aroma (дымный аромат).
Which one should you use?
While дым is the standard word for smoke, чад refers specifically to thick, heavy or suffocating smoke, often used in a more literary or archaic context.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
дым is a masculine noun belonging to the second declension. In the genitive singular case, it changes to дыма, which is frequently used after prepositions like от (from).
How do you pronounce it?
dym
Did you know?
- The word дым is a cognate with the Lithuanian word dūmai, showing how the word for 'smoke' remained nearly identical across different Slavic and Baltic branches.
- In Russian, the expression пустить пыль в глаза (to throw dust in the eyes) is used similarly to 'smoke and mirrors' to describe someone trying to deceive others by creating a false impression.
- The word чад is often associated with the traditional Russian stove, describing the suffocating atmosphere of a room when the chimney is blocked.
Examples in context
- Из окон валил дым.Smoke was pouring out the windows.This sentence is useful for describing smoke pouring out of a location using дым.Tatoeba #11781529 by Wezel, translation #11654847 by CK
- Нет огня без дыма.There's no fire without smoke.This sentence illustrates a common proverb regarding fire and дым.Tatoeba #12425857 by marafon, translation #12425804 by Suntooth
- Том кашлял от дыма.Tom was coughing from smoke.This sentence shows how the form дыма is used after the preposition от.Tatoeba #3859265 by corvard, translation #3859214 by corvard
- Я не курюI don't smoke
- Давай покурим после обедаLet's have a smoke after lunch
- 143 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Anastasia are standing outside looking at a distant forest fire.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы видишь тот густой дым?Ty vidish' tot gustoy dym?Do you see that thick smoke?
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, я вижу его.Da, ya vizhu yego.Yes, I see it.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭтот дым идет от леса.Etot dym idet ot lesa.That smoke is coming from the forest.
- Анастасия AnastasiaНадеюсь, там нет пожара.Nadeyus', tam net pozhara.I hope there is no fire there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smoke” translations and entries дым, чад, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
