чай
čaj[t͡ɕæj]masculine
чай (čaj) is the Russian word for tea.
The word refers to the drink made from the leaves of the tea plant. You may also see specific types such as Эрл-грей for Earl Grey tea or Каркаде for hibiscus tea.
Meaning: drink made from leaves of tea plant (noun)
Which one should you use?
While чай is the standard term, Чаёк is a common informal way to refer specifically to a cup of tea. Additionally, when expressing the desire for an unspecified amount, the partitive form чаю is often used to mean 'some tea'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine. In the genitive case, the word changes to чая, which is used after many verbs of consumption or negation, such as when saying there is no tea (нет чая). You may also use the form чаю as a partitive to indicate 'some tea', for example in the phrase хочу чаю (I want some tea).
How do you pronounce it?
čaj
Did you know?
- If you want to leave a tip at a restaurant, you do not leave money for the service, but literally 'for tea' using the phrase дать на чай.
- In Russian culture, tea is often served with a podstakannik, a decorative metal tea glass holder that prevents the hand from burning.
- Historically, tea in Russia was often pressed into hard bricks for easier transport across the vast empire, requiring the user to break off a piece.
Examples in context
- Я не пью чай.I don't drink tea.This sentence shows how to express that you do not drink the form чай.Tatoeba #4348090 by odexed, translation #4430065 by eeyinn
- Я не хочу чай.I don't want tea.This sentence shows how to express that you do not want the form чай.Tatoeba #4477584 by odexed, translation #2011335 by CK
- Я не люблю чай.I don't like tea.This sentence shows how to express that you do not like the form чай.Tatoeba #1718693 by marafon, translation #1098278 by cntrational
- Горячий чайHot tea
- Чёрный чайBlack tea
- Зелёный чайGreen tea
- Сладкий чайSweet tea
- Ароматный чайAromatic tea
- Чашка чаяCup of tea
- Пить чайTo drink tea
- Горячий чай наливаютThey're pouring hot tea
- Люблю пить чай с лимономI love drinking tea with lemon
- 698 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Alexander are in the kitchen.
- Мария MariaАлександр, ты хочешь чай?Aleksandr, ty khochesh chay?Alexander, do you want some tea?
- Александр AleksandrДа, я очень хочу чай.Da, ya ochen khochu chay.Yes, I really want some tea.
- Мария MariaТебе нужен сахар в чай?Tebe nuzhen sakhar v chay?Do you need sugar in your tea?
- Александр AleksandrНет, спасибо, я пью чай без сахара.Net, spasibo, ya pyu chay bez sakhara.No, thank you, I drink tea without sugar.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tea” translations and entries чай, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries чай, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
