ро́лик
rólikmasculine
In Russian, the English phrase 'video' can be translated as ро́лик (rólik). Wiktionary also lists видеокли́п (videoklíp) and клип (klip).
Meaning: film clip (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ро́лик | rólik | masculine | |
| видеокли́п | videoklíp | masculine | |
| клип | klip | [klʲip] (narrow) | masculine |
| видеоро́лик | videorólik | masculine |
Which one should you use?
The word клип is used specifically to refer to a music video. In contrast, ро́лик typically refers to a short video, such as a social media clip or a commercial, rather than a full-length film. For a general sense of 'video', you can use the indeclinable noun видео.
How do you pronounce it?
rólik
Did you know?
- If you use the plural form ро́лики, you are likely talking about roller skates rather than multiple videos. Using the wrong number can change the topic of conversation from filming to skating.
- The word ро́лик literally means 'a little roller' or 'a small cylinder'. This comes from the fact that early film reels were shaped like small rollers.
- While клип sounds like the English 'clip', it is actually a 'pseudo-anglicism'. It was created by shortening the Russian term видеокли́п rather than being a direct loan of the English word in this specific context.
Examples in context
- Ты видел новый клип Тома?Have you seen Tom's latest music video?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the word клип when talking about a music video.Tatoeba #5631685 by Wezel, translation #5629436 by Hybrid
- Я смотрю видео на YouTube.I'm watching a video on YouTube.
- Недавно увидела ролик про путешествие.I recently saw a clip about travel.
- Прислали мне очень смешную видюшку.They sent me a very funny video.
- Этот смешной ро́лик стал очень популярным.Etot smeshchnoy rolík stal ochen' populyarnym.This funny video clip became very popular.
- Я посмотрел короткий ро́лик о путешествиях.Ya posmotrel korotkiy rolík o puteshestviyakh.I watched a short video clip about travel.
Example conversation
Olga and Dmitry are looking at a phone in a cafe.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, посмотри этот забавный ро́лик.Dmitriy, posmotri etot zabavnyy rolík.Dmitry, look at this funny video clip.
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, это очень смешно.Da, eto ochen' smeshno.Yes, that is very funny.
- Ольга OlgaТы хочешь, чтобы я прислала его тебе?Ty khochesh', chtoby ya prisilala yego tebe?Do you want me to send it to you?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, пожалуйста, отправь его мне.Da, pozhaluysta, otprav' yego mne.Yes, please, send it to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “video” translations and entries клип, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries клип, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
