есть
jestʹ[jesʲtʲ]
To eat in Russian is есть (jestʹ).
The verb is used to describe the action of putting food in the mouth and swallowing it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive есть is identical in spelling to the third-person singular present form of the verb быть (to be).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is jestʹ.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When pronouncing есть, note that the е is pronounced like the 'ye' in 'yes', rather than the 'e' in 'met'.
When do people say it?
When someone is about to eat, it is common to say Приятного аппетита to wish them 'Enjoy your meal' or 'Bon appétit'.
Did you know?
- Russian has a specific verb кушать which also means 'to eat' but is used primarily with children or to show extreme politeness and refinement.
- In Russian culture, refusing to есть when a host offers food can be seen as a significant social slight, far more so than in many English-speaking cultures.
- The word есть meaning 'to eat' shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'eat' through the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁édti.
Examples in context
- Я и есть хочу.I want to eat, too.This sentence shows how to express that you also want to eat using есть.Tatoeba #13225900 by marafon, translation #9130170 by CK
- Я не хочу есть.I don't want to eat.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to eat using есть.Tatoeba #3876716 by odexed, translation #3825001 by CK
- Я решил не есть.I decided not to eat.This sentence demonstrates how to state a decision not to eat using есть.Tatoeba #5180799 by marafon, translation #3058018 by CK
- Мы употребляем пищу в соответствии с рекомендациями врача.We consume food according to the doctor's recommendations.
- Давай пойдем где-нибудь поесть!Let's go somewhere to eat!
- Я проголодался, надо жрать что-нибудь!I'm hungry, I need to eat something!
- В кино мы часто лопаем попкорн.We often munch on popcorn in the cinema.
- 664 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is discussing their lunch plans at home.
- Анастасия AnastasiaТы хочешь сейчас есть?Ty khochesh' seychas yest'?Do you want to eat now?
- Сергей SergeyДа, я очень хочу есть.Da, ya ochen' khochu yest'.Yes, I am very hungry (want to eat very much).
- Анастасия AnastasiaТогда я приготовлю суп.Togda ya prigotovlyu sup.Then I will cook some soup.
- Сергей SergeyОтлично, спасибо, Анастасия.Otlichno, spasibo, Anastasiya.Great, thank you, Anastasia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry есть, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries есть, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
