пить
pitʹ[pʲitʲ]
The Russian phrase for "to drink" is пить (pitʹ).
The verb means to take a liquid into the mouth and swallow it. In a colloquial context, if you use this verb without an object (for example, saying Он пьёт), it often implies that the person is consuming alcohol.
Which one should you use?
The form пить is imperfective, meaning it is used for the process of drinking or for habitual actions. In contrast, the perfective form выпить is used when referring to a single, completed act, such as drinking something up or finishing a drink.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present tense of пить is пьёт. In the past tense, the masculine singular form is пил.
How do you pronounce it?
pitʹ
Did you know?
- The Russian word пиво meaning 'beer' is derived from the same root as пить, essentially naming the drink as 'the drinkable thing'.
- The phrase пить до дна meaning 'to drink to the bottom' is a common toast that emphasizes finishing the glass completely as a sign of sincerity.
- Russian has several verbs for 'drinking' based on the speed and manner, such as отпивать for taking small sips or прихлебывать for sipping loudly.
Examples in context
- Я решил не пить.I decided not to drink.This sentence is useful for seeing the negation of пить.Tatoeba #3061345 by odexed, translation #3058019 by CM
- Я люблю пить чай.I like to drink tea.This sentence shows how to use пить with a specific object like tea.Tatoeba #10541170 by marafon, translation #9673407 by Adelpa
- Он решил не пить.He's decided not to drink.This sentence shows the third-person singular usage of пить in a negative context.Tatoeba #11491185 by marafon, translation #11491037 by DJ_Saidez
- Я пью водуI drink water
- Он пьёт чай каждое утроHe drinks tea every morning
- Мы пьем сокWe drink juice
- Давай выпьем кофеLet's have a coffee
- Ты пьёшь чай или кофе?Do you drink tea or coffee?
- Они пьют пивоThey drink beer
- Пойдем в бар и попьем винаLet's go to the bar and have some wine
- 215 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergei and Olga are at a cafe.
- Сергей SergeyТы хочешь пить?Ty khochesh' pit'Do you want to drink something?
- Ольга OlgaДа, я хочу пить сок.Da, ya khochu pit' sok.Yes, I want to drink juice.
- Сергей SergeyА я буду пить кофе.A ya budu pit' kofe.And I will drink coffee.
- Ольга OlgaХорошо, давай закажем.Khorosho, davay zakazhem.Okay, let's order.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry пить, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
