Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| глота́ть | glotátʹ | imperfective |
| проглоти́ть | proglotítʹ | perfective |
| глотну́ть | glotnútʹ | perfective |
The primary meaning is to cause something to pass from the mouth into the stomach. Related to this concept is the noun глото́к, which refers to the amount of liquid swallowed in a single gulp or sip and the noun ла́сточка, which refers to the bird known as a swallow.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun глото́к is derived from the same root as the verbs and literally refers to the amount of liquid swallowed in one gulp.
Which one should you use?
The choice of verb depends on the nature of the action: use the imperfective глота́ть to describe the ongoing process of swallowing or to describe habitual actions. Use the perfective проглоти́ть to describe the completed action of swallowing something entirely. While also related to the root, the verb глотну́ть is specifically used to mean taking a single sip or a small swallow of a liquid.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
glotátʹ
Did you know?
- The verb проглоти́ть is used when someone 'swallows' an insult or a grievance, meaning they accept it without complaining.
- The Russian word for the bird 'swallow', ла́сточка, shares no linguistic connection to the verb 'to swallow' despite the identical English word.
- Russian has a distinct distinction between глота́ть for the act of swallowing and глотну́ть for taking a sip, which English often collapses into 'swallow'.
Examples in context
- Она проглатывает пилюли без воды.She swallows pills without water.
- Ей трудно глота́ть таблетки.Yey trudno glotát' tabletki.It is difficult for her to swallow pills.
- Не спеши глота́ть еду слишком быстро.Ne speshi glotát' edu slishkom bistro.Don't hurry to swallow food too quickly.
- Он учится глота́ть воду через трубочку.On uchitsya glotát' vodu cherez trubochku.He is learning to swallow water through a straw.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swallow” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
