полоте́нце
poloténceneuter
The English word towel is полоте́нце (poloténce) in Russian. Wiktionary also lists рушни́к (rušník) and ручни́к (ručník).
Meaning: cloth used for wiping (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| полоте́нце | poloténce | neuter |
| рушни́к | rušník | regional |
| ручни́к | ručník | masculine, regional |
A towel is a cloth used for wiping. Салфетка is typically used for smaller towels or napkins.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term тряпка is a colloquial word often meaning a kitchen towel or a rag.
Is it said differently in some regions?
рушни́к and ручни́к are regional variants of the word for towel. рушни́к is a regional or archaic term often associated with traditional Slavic embroidery or specific cultural contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The genitive singular form of полоте́нце is полоте́нца.
How do you pronounce it?
poloténce
Did you know?
- In Russian folklore, a рушни́к is often used as a symbolic boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead during funeral rites.
- While полоте́нце describes the object, the word тряпка can be used as a metaphor for a person who lacks willpower or is spineless, similar to the English 'doormat'.
- The word полоте́нце uses a diminutive suffix, which makes it sound smaller or 'cuter' than the root word полотно, meaning 'canvas' or 'sheet'.
Examples in context
- Дайте, пожалуйста, полотенцеPlease give me a towel
- Мама, где полотенце?Mom, where is the towel?
- Я забыл взять полотенце в ваннуюI forgot to take the towel to the bathroom
- Я купил новое полотенце для кухниI bought a new towel for the kitchen
- Спасти полотенце от пятен – настоящее искусствоSaving a towel from stains is a real art
Example conversation
Olga and Dmitry are in the bathroom.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, ты видел моё полоте́нце?Dmitriy, ty videl moyo polotentse?Dmitry, have you seen my towel?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, оно висит на двери.Da, ono visit na dveri.Yes, it is hanging on the door.
- Ольга OlgaОй, оно совсем сухое. Спасибо!Oy, ono sovsem sukhoye. Spasibo!Oh, it is completely dry. Thanks!
- Дмитрий DmitryПожалуйста, Ольга.Pozhaluysta, Ol'ga.You're welcome, Olga.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “towel” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
