ка́мень
kámenʹmasculine
The Russian word for stone is ка́мень (kámenʹ). Wiktionary also lists ка́мешек (kámešek).
Meaning: small piece of stone (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ка́мень | kámenʹ | masculine |
| ка́мешек | kámešek | masculine |
ка́мень is the most common and general term used to refer to a stone in Russian. The related adjective ка́менный is used to describe something that is constructed of stone.
Which one should you use?
While ка́мень refers to a stone in general, the diminutive form ка́мешек is used specifically to denote a small stone or a pebble.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ка́мень is ка́мни. In the genitive singular case, the word becomes ка́мня, which translates to 'of the stone'.
How do you pronounce it?
kámenʹ
Did you know?
- The Russian word for 'pebble' is often га́лька, which is a completely different root than the 'stone' root found in ка́мень.
- In Russian folklore and superstitions, the phrase ка́мень на сердце describes a feeling of heavy grief or a secret that weighs a person down.
- The word ка́мень appears in the common phrase ка́мень преткновения, which refers to a 'stumbling block' or a major point of contention in an argument.
Examples in context
- Конструкция здания была украшена камнями разных цветов.The building's structure was decorated with stones of different colors.
- У реки лежали камни разного размера и формы.There were stones of different sizes and shapes lying by the river.
- Принесла маме камешек с пляжа в качестве подарка.I brought my mom a little stone as a gift from the beach.
- Этот ка́мень очень тяжёлый.Etot kamen' ochen' tyazholyy.This stone is very heavy.
- Под ногами лежит большой ка́мень.Pod nogami lezhit bol'shoy kamen'.A large stone lies under my feet.
- Я нашёл красивый ка́мень на берегу.Ya nashol krasivyy kamen' na beregu.I found a beautiful stone on the shore.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Alexander are walking on a beach.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСмотри, какой необычный ка́мень!Smotri, kakoy neobychnyy kamen'!Look, what an unusual stone!
- Александр AleksandrДа, он очень гладкий.Da, on ochen' gladkiy.Yes, it is very smooth.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЯ заберу этот ка́мень с собой.Ya zaberu etot kamen' s soboy.I will take this stone with me.
- Александр AleksandrХорошая идея, Анастасия.Khoroshaya ideya, Anastasiya.That is a good idea, Anastasia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stone” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
