шпагат
špagát[ʂpɐˈɡat]
In Russian, the phrase for the physical position of the splits is шпагат (špagát).
The term refers to a physical position where the legs are extended in opposite directions to form a straight line. While шпагат is a singular noun, the most common way to express the action of performing the splits is through the idiomatic verb phrase садиться на шпагат, which literally means to sit down into the splits.
Which one should you use?
The singular form шпагат is standard, but you may encounter the plural form шпагаты when referring to multiple types of splits, such as side and front splits.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say someone is 'in the splits', you use the prepositional phrase на шпагате, which uses the preposition на and the prepositional case of шпагат. In other instances, such as after the verb лишиться (to lose or be deprived of), the word changes to the genitive form шпагата.
How do you pronounce it?
špagát
Did you know?
- The term шпагат is a linguistic relative of the English word 'spaghetti', as both trace back to the Italian word for a thin piece of twine.
- While шпагат means 'splits' in a gym, it is also the ordinary word for the 'twine' or 'strong string' used to tie up a cardboard box.
- The Russian term for the physical position is a visual metaphor that compares an athlete's legs to a piece of stretched 'twine'.
Examples in context
- Я не умею делать шпагат.I can't do the splits.This sentence is useful for stating that you lack the ability to do the шпагат.Tatoeba #12015960 by marafon, translation #12015953 by ddnktr
- Ты умеешь делать шпагат?Can you do the splits?This sentence is used to ask if someone has the ability to do the шпагат.Tatoeba #12975020 by marafon, translation #5752135 by CM
- Мэри умеет садиться на шпагат.Mary can do the splits.This sentence is used to describe Mary's ability to perform the шпагат.Tatoeba #2962637 by Olya, translation #2962678 by astyng
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A gym where two friends are discussing their stretching progress.
- Александр AleksandrТы сегодня делаешь шпагат?Ty segodnya delayesh' shpagat?Are you doing the splits today?
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, я пытаюсь сесть на шпагат.Da, ya pytayus' sest' na shpagat.Yes, I am trying to do the splits.
- Александр AleksandrЭто очень тяжело.Eto ochen' tyazhelo.That is very hard.
- Анастасия AnastasiaНо я буду стараться.No ya budu starat'sya.But I will keep trying.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry шпагат, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries шпагат, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
