де́рево
dérevoneuter
The English word tree is translated into Russian as де́рево (dérevo). Wiktionary also lists дре́во (drévo).
Meaning: large woody plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| де́рево | dérevo | neuter |
| дре́во | drévo | archaic, neuter, poetic |
The word де́рево refers to a large woody plant and can also be used to refer to the material wood in a general sense.
Which one should you use?
While де́рево is the standard term, the form дре́во is an archaic or poetic version used in literature or high-style speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The nominative plural form of де́рево is де́ревья.
How do you pronounce it?
де́рево is pronounced dérevo.
Did you know?
- The root of де́рево is linked to the concept of 'to cut' or 'to split' in some Slavic linguistic theories, emphasizing the utility of the plant.
- In Russian culture, the 'birch' берёза is so iconic that it is often referred to as the 'white tree', symbolizing purity and the Russian homeland in poetry and art.
- The word де́рево is a 'neuter' noun, but the names of specific trees are almost always 'feminine' in Russian, such as берёза (birch) and липа (lime).
Examples in context
- Я люблю сидеть под деревом и читать книги.I love sitting under a tree and reading books.
- Это ста́рое де́рево.Eto staroye derevo.This is an old tree.
- Под де́ревом стои́т ла́вка.Pod derevom stoit lavka.There is a bench under the tree.
- В саду́ растёт высо́кое де́рево.V sadu rastet vysokoye derevo.A tall tree grows in the garden.
Example conversation
Andrey and Maria are walking in a park.
- Андрей AndreyКакое красивое де́рево здесь растёт!Kakoye krasivoye derevo zdes' rastyot!What a beautiful tree grows here!
- Мария MariaДа, оно очень большое.Da, ono ochen' bol'shoye.Yes, it is very big.
- Андрей AndreyМария, ты знаешь, что это за вид?Mariya, ty znayesh', chto eto za vid?Maria, do you know what kind it is?
- Мария MariaДумаю, это старый дуб.Dumayu, eto staryy dub.I think it is an old oak.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tree” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
