ле́стница
léstnicafeminine
The English word "stairs" is translated into Russian as ле́стница (léstnica) or ступе́ньки.
Meaning: contiguous set of steps (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ле́стница | léstnica | feminine |
| ступе́ньки | stupénʹki | feminine, plural |
In Russian, the choice of word depends on whether you are describing the structure or the individual components. Use ле́стница when referring to the entire staircase or the architectural structure itself. Use ступе́ньки when referring to the individual steps that make up the stairs.
Which one should you use?
ле́стница refers to the whole staircase, whereas ступе́ньки refers to the specific steps.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ле́стница is a feminine noun. Its plural form is ле́стницы.
How do you pronounce it?
léstnica
Did you know?
- The word ле́стница is used for both a staircase and a portable ladder. To specify a folding A-frame ladder, Russians use the compound word лестница-стремянка, where стремянка refers to a stirrup.
- While ле́стница describes the structure, the root ступень is also the standard term for a 'step' or 'degree' in a musical scale.
- In Russian, a spiral staircase is called a винтова́я ле́стница, which literally translates to 'screw-shaped stairs'.
Examples in context
- Извините, где находится лестница?Excuse me, where can I find the stairs?
- Давай сходим по лестнице.Let's take the stairs down.
- Подними́сь по ле́стнице.Go up the stairs.
- Где находится винтовая ле́стница?Gde nakhoditsya vintovaya léstnitsa?Where is the spiral stairs?
- Ле́стница ведёт на второй этаж.Léstnitsa vedet na vtoroy etazh.The stairs lead to the second floor.
Example conversation
In an old apartment building.
- Александр AleksandrАнастасия, эта ле́стница очень узкая.Anastasiya, eta léstnitsa ochen' uzkaya.Anastasia, these stairs are very narrow.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, Александр, будь осторожен.Da, Aleksandr, bud' ostorozhen.Yes, Alexander, be careful.
- Александр AleksandrЯ вижу свет в конце.Ya vizhu svet v kontse.I see light at the end.
- Анастасия AnastasiaМы почти на месте.My pochti na meste.We are almost there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stairs” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
