бить
bitʹ[bʲitʲ]imperfective
The English verb 'to strike' can be translated into Russian as бить (bitʹ), ударя́ть or уда́рить depending on the context.
Meaning: to hit (verb)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| бить | bitʹ | [bʲitʲ] (narrow) [bʲit̪ʲ] (narrow) |
imperfective |
| ударя́ть | udarjátʹ | imperfective | |
| уда́рить | udáritʹ | perfective |
The most common general verb for 'to hit' or 'to beat' in a physical sense is бить. For sports-specific contexts, such as baseball or bowling, the loanword страйк is used as a noun. Additionally, the term Стачка is used to refer specifically to worker strikes where employees collectively refuse to work.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on whether the action is a single event or a continuous process. бить is used for the continuous or repeated action of hitting, such as beating someone or a heart beating. In contrast, уда́рить is used for a single, completed strike or a sudden hit. The imperfective form ударя́ть is used to describe the process of striking or hitting something repeatedly.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bitʹ
Did you know?
- The word бить is used in the common Russian expression бить баклуши, which literally translates to 'striking wooden blocks'. In reality, it is a slang idiom meaning 'to idle' or 'to dawdle'.
- In Russian, 'striking a match' uses the verb чиркать, which describes a rubbing motion rather than a hitting motion.
- The verb бить is used to describe the act of breaking glass or ceramics, such as бить посуду, which means 'to break the dishes'.
Examples in context
- Профсоюз объявил забастовку на заводе.The union announced a strike at the factory.
- Наши коллеги провели стачку, требуя улучшения условий труда.Our colleagues went on strike, demanding better working conditions.
- Не надо бить собаку.Ne nado bit' sobaku.Don't hit the dog.
- Он начал бить в барабан.On nachal bit' v baraban.He started to beat the drum.
- Она может бить по мячу.Ona mozhet bit' po myachu.She can hit the ball.
Example conversation
At a music rehearsal studio.
- Андрей AndreyТы должен бить по тарелкам сильнее.Ty dolzhen bit' po tarelkam sil'neye.You should hit the cymbals harder.
- Ольга OlgaАндрей, я стараюсь изо всех сил.Andrey, ya starayus' izo vsekh sil.Andrey, I am trying my hardest.
- Андрей AndreyПопробуй бить ритмичнее.Poprobuy bit' ritmichneye.Try to hit more rhythmically.
- Ольга OlgaХорошо, я постараюсь.Khorosho, ya postarayus'.Okay, I will try.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strike” translations and entries бить, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
