спорт
sport[sport]
The English phrase 'sports' is translated into Russian as спорт.
спорт refers to physical activities or games played for exercise or competition. While English speakers often use the plural 'sports' to discuss the concept generally, the Russian term is a non-count noun used in the singular. For specific activities, you can use words like Футбол (football/soccer), Хоккей (hockey), Баскетбол (basketball), Теннис (tennis) or Волейбол (volleyball). To describe something related to sports, such as equipment or a car, use the adjective спортивный.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word спорт changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. When expressing possession or using it after 'нет' (there is no), use the genitive case спорта. When saying you engage in or do a sport using the verb 'заниматься', use the instrumental case спортом. When stating that something is 'in sport', use the prepositional case спорте.
How do you pronounce it?
sport
What mistakes should you avoid?
In English, it is common to use the plural 'sports' when talking about the general concept, but in Russian, you should use the singular спорт as it is a non-count noun.
Did you know?
- If you want to talk about your daily exercise routine or gym sessions, you should use the word физкультура (physical culture) instead of спорт. While спорт implies competition and professional athletics, физкультура is the standard term for general physical health and movement.
- In the Soviet era, the state officially categorized athletics into массовый спорт (mass sport) for everyone and спорт высших достижений (sport of highest achievements) for elite athletes.
- The Russian word спорт is a direct phonetic loan from the English word 'sport'. Despite this identical sound, the word has been fully integrated into the Russian language, meaning it must follow complex Russian declension rules for its endings.
Examples in context
- Я не люблю спорт.I don't like sports.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for спорт.Tatoeba #4585936 by odexed, translation #8819515 by CK
- Спорт моё хобби.Sports are my hobby.This sentence is useful for stating that спорт is a personal hobby.Tatoeba #5584665 by nina99nv, translation #5962013 by stagos
- Спорт – это смерть.Sports are murder.This sentence uses спорт to make a metaphorical statement.Tatoeba #800421 by Arkadeko, translation #13398478 by rul
- 252 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey and Maria are talking about their weekend plans.
- Сергей SergeyТы любишь спорт?Ty lyubish' sport?Do you like sports?
- Мария MariaДа, я очень люблю спорт.Da, ya ochen' lyublyu sport.Yes, I love sports very much.
- Сергей SergeyКакой твой любимый вид спорта?Kakoy tvoy lyubimyy vid sporta?What is your favorite type of sport?
- Мария MariaЯ предпочитаю плавание.Ya predpochitayu plavaniye.I prefer swimming.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry спорт, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries спорт, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
