пли́тка
plítkafeminine
The English word tile can be translated into Russian as пли́тка (plítka). Wiktionary also lists ка́фель (káfelʹ) and черепи́ца (čerepíca).
Meaning: sheet of ceramic or fired clay to cover surfaces (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| пли́тка | plítka | feminine |
| ка́фель | káfelʹ | masculine |
| черепи́ца | čerepíca | feminine |
| плита́ | plitá | feminine |
In Russian, several words describe a sheet of ceramic or fired clay used to cover surfaces.
Which one should you use?
пли́тка is typically used for small tiles, such as those used for kitchen backsplashes or bathroom walls. ка́фель is a collective noun often used to refer to ceramic tiling in general, particularly in bathrooms. черепи́ца refers specifically to roof tiles, often made of clay or terracotta. Finally, плита́ refers to a large, thick slab or a single large piece of stone or tile, rather than a small decorative tile.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of пли́тка is пли́тки. For the masculine noun ка́фель, the genitive singular form is ка́феля.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is plítka.
Did you know?
- While пли́тка can mean any small tile, it is also the standard Russian word for a chocolate bar. If you ask for 'пли́тка шокола́да', you are asking for a single bar of chocolate.
- The word пли́тка is a diminutive of плита́, which can also mean 'stove' or 'cooking range' in Russian. This creates a linguistic link between the material used to build old traditional stoves and the modern tiles we use today.
- The word плита́ can also describe a 'tectonic plate' in geology. This demonstrates how the Russian language uses the concept of a 'large flat slab' across vastly different scales of size.
Examples in context
- Хочу поставить в ванной кафель с интересным узором.I want to install interesting patterned tiles in the bathroom.
- Лена, глянь, какая красивая плиточка в этом магазине!Lena, look at the beautiful tile in this store!
- Эта пли́тка очень красивая.Eta plitka ochen' krasivaya.This tile is very beautiful.
- Нам нужна новая пли́тка для ванной.Nam nuzhna novaya plitka dlya vannoy.We need new tile for the bathroom.
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are choosing materials for their new apartment renovation.
- Александр AleksandrОльга, какая пли́тка тебе нравится больше?Ol'ga, kakaya plitka tebe nravitsya bol'she?Olga, which tile do you like more?
- Ольга OlgaМне нравится эта серая пли́тка.Mne nravitsya eta seraya plitka.I like this gray tile.
- Александр AleksandrОна хорошо подходит к полу.Ona khorosho podkhodit k polu.It suits the floor well.
- Ольга OlgaДа, давай купим её.Da, davay kupim yeyo.Yes, let's buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tile” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
