German word

Russisch

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁʊsɪʃ/

Meaning

  • neuter nounRussian

Example

Ich lerne Russisch.

I'm learning Russian.

Illustration for Russisch (Russian)

More examples

Im Radio hörte ich eine Nachricht auf Russisch.

On the radio, I heard a news report in Russian.

Core concept

Russian speech appearing in Cyrillic writing, with the same word also describing something associated with Russia.

Common phrases

  • ein bisschen Russisch sprechen

    speak a little Russian

  • ein paar Wörter auf Russisch

    a few words in Russian

  • Russisch verstehen

    understand Russian

Similar words

Russland: The country called Russia.
Russin: A woman from Russia or a woman with Russian citizenship.
Sprache: A system of spoken or written communication that conveys meaning.

Definition in German

Russisch ist die ostslawische Sprache und die Amtssprache Russlands.

Word origin

Russisch comes from the name Russe, meaning a Russian person, combined with the German adjective-forming suffix -isch, and its capitalized form names the language.

Usage tips

  • German capitalizes Russisch as a language name, but uses lowercase russisch before a noun, as in russische Literatur.

Related words

  • RussischunterrichtRussian lessonnoun
  • russischsprachigRussian-speakingadjective

Word lists with this word