слова́рный запа́с
slovárnyj zapásmasculine
The English phrase vocabulary can be translated into Russian as слова́рный запа́с (slovárnyj zapás). Wiktionary also lists слова́рь (slovárʹ) and запа́с слов (zapás slov).
Meaning: set of words a person knows (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| слова́рный запа́с | slovárnyj zapás | masculine |
| слова́рь | slovárʹ | masculine |
| запа́с слов | zapás slov | masculine |
| лексико́н | leksikón | masculine |
| ле́ксика | léksika | feminine |
| вокабуля́р | vokabuljár | masculine |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase слова́рный запа́с is composed of the adjective слова́рный (dictionary-related) and the noun запа́с (stock, supply or reserve).
Which one should you use?
Слова́рный запа́с refers to a person's knowledge of words, whereas ле́ксика is a more technical, linguistic term used when discussing the vocabulary of a specific language or a specific text. Слова́рь refers to the physical or digital book used to look up words, whereas слова́рный запа́с refers to the actual set of words a person knows.
How do you pronounce it?
slovárnyj zapás
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use слова́рь to mean 'vocabulary' (the words a person knows) when they actually mean 'dictionary' (the book).
Did you know?
- The word слова́рь comes from сло́во, meaning 'word'. In Russian, the suffix -арь often denotes a person or a tool that collects things, meaning a dictionary is literally a 'word-collector'.
- In Russian, the word сло́во can mean both 'word' and 'promise'. While you use слова́рь for vocabulary, saying someone 'gave their word' uses the same root word.
- The word вокабуля́р exists in Russian, but it is often perceived as a technical loanword from Latin or English and is less common in everyday speech than слова́рный запа́с.
Examples in context
- У меня большой словарный запас по английскому языку.I have a large vocabulary in English.
- Необходимо улучшить свою лексику.It is necessary to improve your vocabulary.
- Моя сестра знает много слов по французскому.My sister knows many words in French.
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are discussing learning a new language.
- Александр AleksandrКак ты учишь новые слова?Kak ty uchish novye slova?How do you learn new words?
- Ольга OlgaЯ смотрю фильмы, чтобы расширить слова́рный запа́с.Ya smotryu fil'my, chtoby rasshirit' slovarnyy zapas.I watch movies to expand my vocabulary.
- Александр AleksandrЭто отличный способ, Ольга!Eto otlichnyy sposob, Olga!That is a great way, Olga!
- Ольга OlgaДа, так слова́рный запа́с растёт быстрее.Da, tak slovarnyy zapas rastyot bystree.Yes, that way the vocabulary grows faster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vocabulary” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
