снежи́нка
snežínkafeminine
The English word snowflake is снежи́нка (snežínka) in Russian.
снежи́нка is the term used to mean a snowflake crystal.
Meaning: crystal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word снежи́нка is a diminutive formed from the root снег (snow) via the stem снеж- and the diminutive suffix -инка.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of снежи́нка is снежи́нки. In the accusative case, the word takes the ending -у, as seen in the phrase я вижу снежи́нку (I see a snowflake).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is snežínka.
Did you know?
- In the context of modern slang, the English metaphorical use of 'snowflake' to describe a sensitive person is not used via снежи́нка. Russians usually borrow the English term or use different descriptors, as the Russian word remains purely literal.
- In Russian culture, выреза́ние снежинок is a widespread tradition where children and adults create complex geometric patterns by folding and cutting paper to mimic a снежи́нка.
- A Russian child might use снежи́нка to describe a pattern on a lace doily, whereas an English speaker would likely use the word 'snowflake' only for the actual ice.
Examples in context
- Каждая снежинка уникальна и красива.Every snowflake is unique and beautiful.
- Взгляните на эту прекрасную снежинку-кристалл.Look at this beautiful crystal snowflake.
- Посмотри, какая маленькая и симпатичная снежинушка.Look at how small and cute this snowflake is.
- Эта снежи́нка очень красивая.Eta snezhinka ochen' krasivaya.This snowflake is very beautiful.
- На моем пальто лежит снежи́нка.Na moyem pal'to lezhit snezhinka.A snowflake is lying on my coat.
- Каждая снежи́нка уникальна.Kazhdaya snezhinka unikal'na.Every snowflake is unique.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Andrey are looking out the window at the first snow of the season.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСмотри, какая большая снежи́нка!Smotri, kakaya bol'shaya snezhinka!Look, what a big snowflake!
- Андрей AndreyДа, она действительно красивая.Da, ona deystvitel'no krasivaya.Yes, it is truly beautiful.
- Екатерина EkaterinaАндрей, посмотри на эту снежи́нку на стекле.Andrey, posmotri na etu snezhinku na stekle.Andrey, look at this snowflake on the glass.
- Андрей AndreyВижу, она быстро тает.Vizhu, ona bystro tayet.I see it, it is melting fast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowflake” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
