воля
vólja[ˈvolʲə]
The English word 'will' is translated into Russian as воля (vólja).
воля refers to the psychological faculty of will or freedom. In certain contexts, it can also mean 'freedom' or 'liberty' in a sense of being unrestrained or released from captivity.
Meaning: indicating future action (verb)
Which one should you use?
The word воля refers to the psychological faculty of will or freedom, whereas the English word 'will' as a future tense auxiliary is expressed through verb conjugation. The word 'будешь' is the informal second person singular form of 'быть' (to be) in the future tense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The genitive singular form of 'воля' is воли, which is used to express possession, such as 'the will of God'. The accusative singular form волю is used when 'will' is the direct object of a verb, such as 'to have will' (иметь волю).
How do you pronounce it?
vólja
Did you know?
- A Russian speaker might use воля to describe the 'freedom' of a landscape or a wide-open space, not just a person's internal drive.
- Russian has a unique expression дать волю which means to let someone do as they please or to give free rein to an emotion. It is similar to the English phrase 'give vent to'.
- The Russian word for 'will' or 'freedom', воля, shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the English word 'will', meaning 'to choose' or 'to wish'.
Examples in context
- Это была воля Бога.It was God's will.This sentence shows how to express the concept of God's will using воля.Tatoeba #5204757 by Selena777, translation #3104399 by Hybrid
- У меня сильная воля.I have a strong will.This sentence demonstrates the use of 'strong will' with воля.Tatoeba #5118666 by marafon, translation #5118351 by Lindoula
- У него сильная воля.He has a strong will.This sentence shows another example of expressing a strong will with воля.Tatoeba #5215149 by marafon, translation #293578 by Zifre
- Завтра я буду готовить обед.Tomorrow I will cook lunch.
- Я собираюсь посетить конференцию на следующей неделе.I intend to attend the conference next week.
- Завтра я поеду в парк с друзьями.Tomorrow I will go to the park with my friends.
- Будешь смотреть новый фильм?Will you watch the new movie?
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Sergey are discussing a difficult decision.
- Сергей SergeyТы сможешь это сделать?Ty smozhesh' eto sdelat'?Will you be able to do this?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, только если будет моя воля.Da, tol'ko yesli budet moya volya.Yes, only if it is my will.
- Сергей SergeyЭто потребует много усилий.Eto potrebuet mnogo usiliy.It will require a lot of effort.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ знаю, но воля поможет мне.Ya znayu, no volya pomozhet mne.I know, but will will help me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry воля, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries воля, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
