ле́то
létoneuter
The Russian word for 'summer' is ле́то (léto).
ле́то is a noun used to refer to the hottest season of the year. You may also encounter the phrase проводи́ть ле́то, which is used to express the idea of spending the summer, such as spending a summer holiday in a particular place.
Meaning: hottest season (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express 'in summer', use the instrumental form ле́том rather than using a preposition with the nominative form. To indicate possession or quantity, such as 'at the beginning of summer', use the genitive singular form ле́та.
How do you pronounce it?
léto
Did you know?
- The term летопись (chronicle) is derived from the same root as 'summer', historically referring to a record of events 'set down in the summer' or annually.
- In Russian, the word ле́то is neuter, which is why it can be used in the poetic phrase лето красное (beautiful summer), where the adjective 'кра́сный' (red) is used to mean 'beautiful'.
- In Russian folklore, the personification of summer is sometimes linked to the holiday Ива́н Купа́ла, where people jump over fires to cleanse themselves.
Examples in context
- Погода во время летнего периода обычно солнечная и теплая.The weather during the summer period is usually sunny and warm.
- Ле́то моё люби́мое вре́мя го́да.Summer is my favorite time of year.
- Ле́то уже наступило.Leto uzhe nastupilo.Summer has already arrived.
- Я очень люблю ле́то.Ya ochen lyublyu leto.I love summer very much.
- Э́тим ле́том будет жарко.Etim letom budet zharko.It will be hot this summer.
Example conversation
Olga and Dmitry are talking about their vacation plans.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, ты ждёшь ле́то?Dmitriy, ty zhdyosh leto?Dmitry, are you waiting for summer?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, я хочу на море.Da, ya khochu na more.Yes, I want to go to the sea.
- Ольга OlgaЯ тоже очень люблю ле́то.Ya tozhe ochen lyublyu leto.I love summer very much too.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто самое лучшее время года.Eto samoye luchsheye vremya goda.It is the best time of year.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “summer” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
