речь
rečʹ[rʲet͡ɕ]feminine
The English word speech can be translated into Russian using речь (rečʹ), выступление or спич. Wiktionary also lists выступле́ние (vystuplénije).
Meaning: an oration, session of speaking (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| речь | rečʹ | [rʲet͡ɕ] (narrow) | feminine |
| выступле́ние | vystuplénije | neuter | |
| спич | spič | [spʲit͡ɕ] (narrow) | masculine |
речь is used to refer to a session of speaking or an oration. It is also the standard term for the human faculty of speech or language in a general sense.
Which one should you use?
While речь refers to an oration, выступление is used when the focus is on the act of performing or appearing before an audience, such as a speech at a conference. спич is a direct loanword from English and is used in informal, modern contexts, often in business or internet slang.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun речь changes to речи in the genitive case, which is used when expressing possession, such as in the phrase 'the content of the speech'.
How do you pronounce it?
rečʹ
Did you know?
- The word выступление comes from the verb выступать, meaning 'to step out' or 'to step forward', which paints a physical picture of an orator entering a stage.
- The English word 'speech' and the Russian word речь both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European roots, meaning they are distant linguistic cousins.
- The loanword спич is often used with a hint of irony or sarcasm to describe a speech that is overly long, pretentious or typical of corporate jargon.
Examples in context
- Я помню ту речь.I remember that speech.This sentence is useful for remembering a specific speech using речь.Tatoeba #5965534 by marafon, translation #2392580 by CK
- Речь Тому писал я.I'm the one who wrote Tom's speech.This sentence shows how to express ownership of a speech using речь.Tatoeba #5925938 by marafon, translation #3409160 by CK
- Её речь нас тронула.Her speech moved us.This sentence demonstrates how a speech can have an emotional effect using речь.Tatoeba #5521083 by marafon, translation #3566497 by LishaR
- Сегодня мы услышим важную речь президента.Today we will hear an important speech from the president.
- Ваша речь на церемонии была великолепной.Your speech at the ceremony was splendid.
- Президент выступил с речью на встрече ООН.The president made a speech at the UN meeting.
- Слушать длинные выступления иногда бывает скучно.Listening to long speeches can sometimes be boring.
- У нашего дедушки всегда были интересные байки.Our grandpa always had interesting stories to tell.
- Не слушай его, он просто рассказывает байки.Don't pay attention to him, he's just spinning tales.
- У нас был серьезный разговор о будущем.We had a serious talk about the future.
- 256 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Ekaterina are discussing a business meeting.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДмитрий, ты слышал его речь?Dmitriy, ty slyshal yego rech'?Dmitry, did you hear his speech?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, Екатерина, она была отличной.Da, Ekaterina, ona byla otlichnoy.Yes, Ekaterina, it was excellent.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ тоже так думаю.Ya tozhe tak dumayu.I think so too.
- Дмитрий DmitryОн очень хорошо подготовился.On ochen' khorosho podgotovilsya.He prepared very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speech” translations and entries речь, спич, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries речь, спич, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
