Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| заку́ска | zakúska | feminine |
| по́лдник | póldnik | masculine |
| снэк | snɛk | masculine, neologism |
Russian uses different terms for a snack depending on whether you are referring to an appetizer, a specific time of day or a processed food product. For the action of eating a snack, the most natural verb is переку́сить, which means to have a quick bite or a light snack.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends heavily on the type of food and the situation. заку́ска refers to appetizers, side dishes or cold dishes typically served at a table. по́лдник is specific to an afternoon snack, serving as a light meal between lunch and dinner. снэк is a modern loanword used primarily for processed, packaged foods like chips or crackers.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Заку́ска is a more formal or traditional term often used for appetizers. Снэк is an informal, modern neologism. When describing the action of eating, переку́сить is a common, informal way to say you are having a quick bite.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Заку́ска is a feminine noun, while по́лдник and снэк are masculine nouns. Related verbs include заку́сывать and закуси́ть for eating something to accompany a drink, and переку́сывать or переку́сить for eating between meals.
How do you pronounce it?
zakúska
When do people say it?
In Russian culture, the verb заку́сывать carries a specific connotation: it is used to describe eating something to accompany alcohol or to mitigate its effects. If you are eating specifically to have a light snack between meals, use the verb переку́сить instead.
Did you know?
- The verb заку́сывать is specifically used when eating food to 'chase' a shot of vodka, as the food is believed to neutralize the alcohol's burn.
- The word заку́ска comes from the verb куса́ть, meaning 'to bite'. Literally, it describes the act of taking a small bite to prepare the palate.
- The word по́лдник for an afternoon snack literally translates to 'half-day', referring to the time when the day is divided in two.
Examples in context
- Вам нужен перекус перед обедом?Do you need a snack before lunch?
- Давайте закусим перед фильмом.Let's have a snack before the movie.
- Я хочу покушать чипсов.I want to grab a snack of chips.
- Эта заку́ска очень вкусная.Eta zakuska ochen' vkusnaya.This snack is very tasty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snack” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
