Slavic vocabulary

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The following list is a comparison of basic Proto-Slavic vocabulary and the corresponding reflexes in the modern languages, for assistance in understanding the discussion in Proto-Slavic and History of the Slavic languages. The word list is based on the Swadesh word list, developed by the linguist Morris Swadesh, a tool to study the evolution of languages via comparison, containing a set of 207 basic words which can be found in every language and are rarely borrowed. However, the words given as the modern versions are not necessarily the normal words with the given meaning in the various modern languages, but the words directly descended from the corresponding Proto-Slavic word (the reflex). The list here is given both in the orthography of each language, with accent marks added as necessary to aid in pronunciation and Proto-Slavic reconstruction. See below for a capsule summary of how to pronounce each language, as well as some discussion of the conventions used.

Contents

Table

Slavic languages
TranslationLate Proto-Slavic class Russian Ukrainian Bulgarian Czech Slovak Polish Serbo-Croatian Slovene Macedonian
Cyrillic Latin Cyrillic Latin Cyrillic Latinstandard
(Shtokavian)
Chakavian Cyrillic Latin
I*(j)azъ, (j)āprn.яjaяjaаз/я(dial.)az/ja(dial.)jajajå̃jàzјасjas
you (singular)*typrn.тыtyтиtyтиtitytytyтиti
he, she, it*onъprn.он, она, оноon, oná, onóвін, вона, воноvin, voná, vonóтой, тя, тоtoj, tya, toon, ona, onoȍn/ȏn, òna, ònoõn, onȁ, onȍòn, óna, onọ̑/ónoтој/онојtoj/onoj
we*myprn.мыmyмиmyниеnie (dial.)mymymyниеnie
you (plural)*vyprn.выvyвиvy(ви́е)(víe)vyvywyвиеvie
they*oni, *ony, *onaprn.они́on'íвони́vonyтеteoni, ony, onaoni, ony, onaoni, oneoni, one, onaoniтие/ониеtie/onie
this, that*tъprn.тоtot, ta, toтой, та, тоtoj, ta, to(това́)(tová)ten, ta, toten, tá, toten, ta, totȃj, tȃ, tȏtȁ, tȃ, tȏ/tȍtȃ, tȃ, tọ̑ова/онаova/ona
here*sьde, *tuздесь, тутzd'es', tutтутtutтук, тукаtuk, tukazde, tututu, tutajtutù, túkaj, zdeовде, тукаovde, tuka
there*tamътамtamтамtamтамtamtamtamtamtamotamтамуtamu
who*kъtoprn.ктоktoхтоkhto((кой))((koi))kdoktokto(t)kȍ; kikdọ́којkoj
what*čьto, *čьprn.чтоčto /što/щоščoкаквоkakvocočocoštȍ/šta(Vrg.) ča (<*čь)kajштоšto
where*kъdeprn.гдеgd'eдеdeкъдеkədekdekdegdziegd(j)ȅkadȅ (Orb.)kjẹ́кадеkade
when*kogъda; *kogъdyadv./conj.когда́kogdáколи́kolýкога́kogá(kdy); OCz. kehdykedykiedy, gdykàdakdájкогаkoga
how; what (kind of)какъadv.; prn.какkak; kakójякjakкакkak(jak) (OCz. jaký)ako (OSk. aký)(jak), jaki/jaka/jakie (arch. jako, jakowy/jakowa/jakowe)kàko, kakav/kakva/kakvokakọ̑, kakšen/kakšna/kakšnoкако, каков/каква/каквоkako, kakov/kakva/kakvo
not*neadv.неn'eніniнеnenenienieneнеne
all*vьśь, *vьśja, vьśeprn.весь, вся, всёv'es', vs'a, vs'oвесь, вся, вcеves', vsja, vse(вси́чки)/вси(vsíčki)/vsi(všichni); OCz. veš, všě, vše(všetci); OSk. vše(wszyscy); OPl. wszy, wsza, wszesȁv, svȁ, svȅsvȁs, svȁ, svȅvǝ̀s, vsà, vsèсе/сетоse/seto
many*mъnogъadj. oмно́гийmnógijбага́тоbahátoмно́гоmnógo (adv.)mnohýmnohímnogimnȍgīmnọ̑giмногуmnogu
some*ne + *kolikoне́сколькоn'éskol'koде́кількаdékil'kaня́колкоnjákolkoněkolikniekoľkokilkanekolikonekọ̑liko, nẹ́kajнеколкунеколку
few*malъма́лоmáloма́лоmáloма́лкоmálkomálomálomałomalomaloмалкуmalku
second*drȗgъadj. o (c)друго́йdrugójдру́гийdrúhyj((втори))((vtori))druhýdruhýdrugi, (arch.. wtóry)drȗgdrȕgīdrȗgiвторvtor
other*jь̀nьprn. (a)ино́йinójі́ншийínšyj((друг)), (инакъв)((drug)), (inakǝv)jinýiný, inakšíinnydrugi/inidrȗgдругоdrugo
one*(j)edìnъ, *(j)edьnъnum. oоди́н, одна́od'ín, odnáоди́нodýnеди́нedínjedenjeden, jednajedenjèdan, jȅdnajedå̃n, jednȁ, jednȍeden, en, ena, enoеденеден
two*d(ъ)vanum.дваdva, dve, dvaдваdvaдвadvadva, dvě, dvědva, dvedwa, dwie, dwadvȃ, dv(ȉj)e, dvȃdvå̑, dvȋ, dvå̑dvȃ, dvẹ́, dvȃдваdva
three*trьje, *trinum.триtr'iтриtryтриtritřitritrzytrȋtrȋtrȋje, trȋ, trȋтриtri
four*četỳrenum. (a)четы́реč'etýr'eчоти́риčotýryче́ти́риčétíričtyřištyriczteryčètiričetȉrištirje, štiri, štiriчетириčetiri
fivepę̑tьnum. i (c)пятьp'at'п’ятьpjat'петpetpětpäťpięćpȇtpȇtpẹ̑tпетpet
big, great*velìkъ; velьkъadj. oвели́кийv'el'ík'ijвели́кийvelýkyj((голям)), вели́к((goljam)), velíkvelkýveľkýwielkivȅlikī, vȅlikā, vȅlikōvȅlik, velikȁ, velikȍvélik, velíkaголем, великиgolem, veliki
small*màlъadj. o (a)ма́лыйmályjмали́йmalýj(ма́лък); мал(málǝk); malmalýmalýmałymȁlimå̃līmȃli, majhenмалечoк/а/ки/ко, мал, мало/а/и.malećok/a/ki/ko, mal, malo/a/i
long*dь̀lgъadj. o (a)до́лгийdólg'ijдо́вгийdóvhyjдъ́лъгdǝ́lǝgdlouhýdlhýdługidȕgdȕgdȏļg, dȏļga, dȏļgoдолг/долгоdolg/dolgo
short*kortъ̀kъadj. o (b)коро́ткийkorótk'ijкоро́ткийkorótkyj((къс)), кра́тък((kǝs)), krátǝkkrátkýkrátkykrótkikrátak, krátkakrå̑tak, krå̄tkȁ, krå̑tko;
krãtak, krãtka, krãtko
krátǝkкратко/а/и, кратокkratko/a/i, kratok
wide*širokъширо́кийširók'ijширо́кийšyrókyjширо́кširókširokýširokýszerokiširokširókширок, широко/а/иširok, široko/a/i
narrow*ǫzъkъadj. oу́зкийúzk'ij; úzok, uzká, úzkoвузьки́йvuz'kýj((те́сен))((tésen))úzkýúzkywąskiȕzak, ȕska/uskȁȕsak, uskȁ, ȕskoọ́zǝk, ọ́zkaтесно/на/ни/енtesno/na/ni/en, teško/a/i
thick*tъlstъто́лстыйtólstyjтовсти́йtowstýj((дебел)), тлъст((debel)), tlǝsttlustýtlstý, hrubýtłustydebelidebel, debẹ́l, tọ̑lstдебел, дебело/а/иdebel, debelo/a/i
thin*tь̏nъkъadj. o (c)то́нкийtónk'ij; tónok, tanká, tónkoтонки́йtonkýjтъ́нъкtǝ́nǝktenkýtenkýcienkitȁnak, tànka/tánkatȁnak, tankȁ, tȃnkotǝnǝ́k, tǝnkàтенок, тенко/а/иtenok, tenko/a/i
heavy*tęžъkъadj. oтя́жкийt'ážkijтяжки́йtjažkýjте́жъкtéžǝktěžkýťažkýciężkitéžak, téškatȅžak, tēškȁtéžǝk téžka, téžko; težȃkтежок, тешко/а/иtežok, teško/a/i
woman/wife*ženàf. ā (b)жена́ž'ená /žená/дружинаdružýnaжена́/съпругаžená/sǝprugaženažena, manželkażonažèna (acc. žènu), suprugaženȁ (acc. ženȕ)soprọ̑ga, žéna (wife), žẹ́nska (woman)жена/сопругаžená/sopruga
husband*mǫ̑žьm. jo (c)мужmužчоловікčolovík((съпруг)), мъж((sǝprug)), mǝžmužmuž, manželmążmȗž (mȗža)soprọ̑g, mọ̑ž (možȃ)сопругsoprug
man (human)*čelověkъm. oчелове́кč'elov'ékлюди́наl'udýnaчове́кčovékčlověkčlovekczłowiekčòv(j)ek (čòv(j)eka); čȍv(j)ek (čov(j)èka)čovȉk (čovȉka)člóvek (človẹ́ka)човекčovek
child*dětęдитя́d'it'áдитинаdytýnaдете́detédítědieťadziecko, dziecięd(ij)eteotrók, dẹ́teдетеdete
mother*matiматьmat'матиmátyма́йкаmájkamatkamatka, mamamatka (arch. mać)majka, mater, matimatiмајкаmajka
father*otьcьоте́цot'écбатькоbát'koбаща́, та́тко, отецbaštá, tátko, otecotecotecojciecotacočeтатко, отецtatko, otec
wild animal*zvě̑rьm. i (c)зверьzv'er'звірzvirзвярzvjarzvěřzviera, zverzwierz, zwierzęzv(ȉj)er f. (i)zvȋr (zvȋri) f. (i)zvẹ̑r (zverȋ)ѕверdzver
fish*rybaры́баrýbaрибаrýbaри́баríbarybarybarybaribaribaрибаriba
bird*pъtica, *pъtъkaпти́цаpt'ícaптахptaxпти́цаptícaptákvtákptakpticaptič, pticaптицаptica
dog*pьsъсоба́ка, пёсsobáka, p'osсобака, песsobáka, pesпес, ку́чеpes, kúčepespespiespaspəsкуче, песkuče, pes
louse*vъ̏šьf. i (c)вошьvoš' /voš/ (vš'i)вошаvóšaвъ́шкаvǝ́škavešvošweszvȃš (vȁši); ȗš (ȕši)ùš (ušȋ); ȗšвошкаvoška
snake*zmьjàf. iāзмея́zm'ejáзміяzmijáзмия́zmijázmije [table 1] had, zmija (venomous)żmija [table 2] zmìjazmijȁkačaзмијаzmija
worm*čьrvьчервьč'erv'черв'якčervjákче́рвейčérvejčervčervczerw, robakcrvčrvцрвcrv
tree*dervo, *dьrvoде́ревоd'ér'evoдеревоdérevoдърво́dǝrvódřevo [table 3] strom, drevo [table 4] drzewodrvodrevọ̑дрвоdrvo
forest*lěsълесl'esлісlisгора́, лесgorá, leslesles, horalasšuma, dubravagozd, lẹ́s, šuma, họ̑sta, mẹ́jaшумаšuma
stick*palica, *palъkaпа́лкаpálkaпалицяpályc'aпръ́чка, палкаprǝ́čka, palkahůlpalicalaska / pałka / kijštap, palicapalicaстап, стапчеstap, stapče
fruit*plodъплодplodплідplidплод, овошкаplod, ovoškaovoce (plod)ovocieowoc (płód)voće, plodsadež, plọ̑doвошјеovošje
seed*sěmęсе́мяs'ém'aнасінняnasínn'aсе́меsémesemenosemeno, semä (archaic)nasiono/nasienie, ziarno, siemięs(j)emesẹ́meсеме, семенкаseme, semenka
leaf*listълистl'istлистlystлисто́, листlistó, listlistlistliśćlistlistлистlist
root*korenько́реньkór'en'коріньkórin'ко́ренkórenkořenkoreňkorzeńkor(ij)enkorẹ́n, korenínaкоренkoren
bark (of a tree)*koraкора́koráкораkoráкора́korákůrakôrakorakoraskọ̑rjaкораkora
flower*květъцвето́кcv'etókквіткаkvítkaцве́теcvétekvětkvetkwiat, kwieciecv(ij)etrọ̑ža, cvẹ́t, cvetlícaцвеќеcvekje
grass*travaтрава́traváтраваtraváтрева́trevátrávatrávatrawatravatravaтреваtreva
rope*ǫžeверёвкаv'er'óvkaмотузкаmotúzkaвъже́, връв, шнурvǝžé, vrǝ́v, šnurprovaz, houževpovraz, šnúra, lanosznur, lina, powrózuževrv, konópecјаже, ортомаjaže, ortoma
skin*kožaко́жаkóžaшкіраškíraко́жаkóžakůžekožakożuch, [table 5] skórakožakọ̑žaкожаkoža
meat*męsoмя́соm'ásoм'ясоmjásoме́соmésomasomäsomięsomesomesọ̑месоmeso
blood*kryкровьkrov'кровkrovкръвkrǝvkrevkrvkrewkrvkriкрвkrv
bone*kostькостьkost'кісткаkístkaкост, ко́калkost, kókalkostkosťkość, kostka(deminutive)kostkọ̑stкоскаkoska
fat (noun)*sadloса́лоsáloжирžyrслани́на, мас, мазнинаslanína, mas, mazninasádlo, tuktuk, sadlotłuszcz, sadłomasnoća, mast, salomast, tọ̑lšča, maščóba, saloмаст, салоmast, salo
egg*ȃje; *ajьcen. jo (c); n. joяйцо́jajcóяйцеjajcéяйце́jajcévejcevajce, vajco (regional)jajo; jajko, jajcojáje; jájcejå̑jejájceјајцеjajce
horn*rȍgъ m. o (c)рогrogрігrihрогrogrohrohróg (rogu)rȏg (rȍga)rọ̑g (rọ̑ga/rogȃ)рогrog
tail*xvȍstъхвостhvostхвістxvistопа́шкаopáškachvostchvostchwostrȇprȅpо́пашкаópaška
feather*peròn. o (b)перо́p'eróпероperóперо́perópéropero, pierkopióropèroperȍperọ̑ (perẹ́sa)пердувperduv
hair*vȏlsъm. o (c)во́лосvólos (vólosa)волосина, волоссяvolosýna, volóss'aвлакно, косъмvlakno, kosǝmvlasvlaswłos, kosmyk [table 6] vlȃs (vlȃsa)vlå̑s (vlå̑sa)lȃs (lȃsa/lasȗ)влакноvlakno
hair, braided hair*kosàf. ā (c)kosá (kósu) [table 7] косаkosáкоса́kosávlasy OCz. kosavlasy, vrkoče OSk. kosaOPl. kosa [table 8] kòsa (acc. kȍsu)(Novi) kosȁ (acc. kosȕ/kȍsu)lasjẹ́косakosa
head*golvàf. ā (c)голова́golová (acc. gólovu)головаholováглава́glaváhlavahlavagłowagláva (acc. glȃvu)glå̄vȁ (acc. glå̑vu)glávaглаваglava
ear*ȗxon. o (c)у́хоúxo, pl. úš'i /úšy/вухоvúxoухо́uxó, pl. ušíuchouchouchoȕho/ȕvo, pl. f. ȕšiȕho (ȕha), pl. m. ȕšiuhọ̑ (ušẹ̑sa)уво, ушеuvo, uše
eye*ȍkon. o (c)глаз, о́коóko (poet.)окоо́koоко́okóokoȍkookọ̑ (očẹ̑sa)окоoko
nose*nȍsъm. o (c)носnosнісnisносnosnosnȏs (nȍsa)nọ̑s (nọ̑sa/nosȃ/nosȗ)носnos
mouth*ūstàpl. n. o (b)ротrotвустаvustáуста́ustáústaustaústaũstå̄; ũstaústaустаusta
tooth*zǫ̑bъm. o (c)зубzubзубzubзъбzǝbzubzubząbzȗb (zȗba)zọ̑b (zọ̑ba)забzab
tongue/language*ęzỳkъm. o (a)язы́кjazýkязик, моваjazýk, móvaези́кezíkjazykjazykjęzykjèzikjazȉkjézik (jezíka)јазикjazik
nail (of finger/toe), claw*nȍgъtьm. i/io (c)но́готьnógot' (nógt'a)ніготьníhot'но́кътnókǝtnehetnechtpaznokieć (OPl. paznogiedź), pazurnȍkat (nȍkta); nogat (nokta)nȍhat (nȍhta)nọ̑ht (nọ̑hta)нокт, канџаnokt, kandža
foot, leg*nogaf. ā (c)нога́nogáногánoháкрак, ногаkrak, nogánohanohanoganòga (nȍgu)nogȁ (nȍgu)nógaстапало, ногаstapalo, noga
knee*kolě̀non. o (a)коле́ноkol'énoколіноkolínoколя́ноkol'ánokolenokolenokolanokòl(j)enokolȉnokolẹ́noколено/ницаkoleno/nica
hand*rǭkàf. ā (c)рука́rukáрукаrukáръка́rǝkárukarukarękarúka (rȗku)rūkȁ (rȗku)rókaракаraka
wing*krīdlòn. o (b)крыло́krylóкрилоkrylóкрило́krilókřídlokrídloskrzydłokrílo(Orb.) krīlȍkríloкрилоkrilo
belly*bŗȗxo, *bŗȗxъm./n. o (c)животžyvotживітžyvítкорем, стомах, търбухkorem, stomah, tǝrbuhbřichobruchobrzuchtrbuh---trẹ́buh (trebúha)стомак, желудникstomak, želudnik
guts*červoкишки́k'išk'íкишки́kyškýвъ́трешности, черва́vǝ́trešnosti, červávnitřnosti, střevavnútornosti, čreváwnętrzności, trzewia (ścierwo [table 9] )cr(ij)evočrevo, črevẹ́sje, drobọ̑vjeцреваcreva
neck*šija, *šьjaше́яš'éja /šéja/шияšýjaврат, ши́яvrat, šíjakrkkrkszyja, karkvrat, šijavratвратvrat
back*xrьbьtъспина́spináспи́наspýnaгръбgrǝbzáda, hřbetchbátgrzbiet leđahrbetгрбgrb
shoulder*pletjèn. jo (b)плечóplečóплечеplečéрамо, плещи (pl.)ramo, pleští pl.rameno, plecoplece, ramenoplecy pl., [table 10] ramię [table 11] pléće, rame(Novi) plećȅrama, plẹ́čaрамоramo
breast*grǫ̑dьf. i (c)грудьgrud'грудиhrúdyгръдgrǝdprsa, hruďprsia, hruďpierś; OPl. grędzi (pl.)grȗd, prsaprsi, grudi, nẹ́drjeградаgrada
heart*sь̏rdьcen. jo (c)се́рдцеs'érdc'e /s'érce/серцеsérceсърце́sǝrcésrdcesrdceserce (OPl. serdce)sȑce (sȑca)srcẹ̑ (srcá)срцеsrce
liver*ę̄trò, *pečenьn. o (b)játro/jatró [table 12] печінкаpečínkaчерен дроб, джигерcheren drob, džigerjátra (pl.)pečeň(wątroba)jȅtra (pl.)(Orb.) jiẽtra (pl.)jẹ́tra (pl.)џигер, црн дробdžiger, crn drob
to drink*pìtiv.питьp'it'питиpýtyда пи́яda píjapítipiťpićpȉti (pȉjēm)pȉti (pījȅš)píti (píjem)да пиеda pie
to eat*ě̀stiv.естьjest'їстиjístyда ямda jamjístijesťjeśćjȅsti (jȅdem)ȉsti/ĩsti (3sg. idẽ)jẹ́sti (jẹ́m)да јадеda jade
to gnaw*grỳztiv. (c)грызтьgryzt'гризтиhrýztyда гризяda grizehryzathrýzťgryźćgrȉsti (grízēm)grȉsti (2sg. grīzȅš)grísti (grízem)да гризеda grize
to suck*sъsàtiv.соса́тьsosát' (sosú, sos'ót)смоктатиsmoktáty(су́ча)(súča)sát (saji)cicať, saťssać (ssę)sisatisesáti (sesȃm)да цицаda cica
to spit*pjь̀vativ. (a)плева́тьpl'evát' (pljujú, plujót)плюватиpl'uvátyплю́яpljúja; pljúvamplivat (plivu)pľuť (pľujem)pluć (pluję), (arch. plwać)pljùvati (pljȕjēm)pljúvati (pljúvam)да плукаda pluka
to vomit*bljьvàtiv.блева́тьbl'evát'блюватиbl'uvátyповръщам, бълвамpovrǝ́shtam, bǝ́lvamblít (bliju)zvracať, OSk. bľuť, bľuvaťwymiotować, zwracać, rzygać; OPl. bluć (bluj̨ę)bljùvati (bljȕjēm), povraćati(Orb.) bljȕvat (3sg. bljȗje/bljȕva)brùhati, bljuváti (bljúvam/bljújem)да повраќаda povrakja
to blow*dǫ̀tiv.дуть, ве́ятьdut', v'éjat'ду́ти, ві́яти, дму́хатиdúty, víjaty, dmúxatyду́хам, ве́яdúham, véjavát, vanout, foukatduť, fúkať, vanúťdmuchać, dąć, wiaćdúvati, dúhatipihatiда дуваda duva
to breathe*dyxativ.дышатьdyshat'дихатиdýxatyди́шамdíšamdýchat (dýchám)dýchať (dýcham)oddychać; dychać (colloq.), dyszeć [table 13] dísati (dȋšēm/dȋhām)dȉhati (2sg. dȉšeš)díhati (dȋham)да дишеda diše
to laugh*smьjàti sęv. (c)смея́тьсяsm'eját's'aсміятисьsmijátys'сме́я сеsméja sesmát se (směju se)smiať sa (smejem sa)śmiać się (śmieję się)smìjati se (smìjēm se)(Vrg.) smījȁti se (smijȅš se)smejáti se (smẹ́jem se/smejím se)да се смееda se smee
to see*vìdětiv. (a)ви́детьv'íd'et'бачитиbáčytyви́ждамvídja, víždamvidět (vidím)vidieť (vidím)widziećvȉd(j)eti (vȉdīm)vìti (2sg. vȉdīš)vídeti (vȋdim)да видиda vidi
to hear*slušatiслу́шатьslúšat'слухатиslúxatyслу́шам, чу́вамslúšam, čúvamslyšet (slyším)počuť (počujem)słyszećslušatislišati (slišim)да слушнеda slušne
to know, be familiar with*znàtiv. (a)знатьznat'знатиznátyзна́я; знамznája; znamznát (znám)vedieť, poznaťznaćznȁti (znȃm)znȁti (2sg. znå̑š)poznáti (poznȃm)да знае, да познаваda znae, da poznava
to know, have knowledge*vědětiv.ведатьv'édat' [table 14] відатиvídatyвямvjamvědět (vím)vedieť (viem)wiedzieć (wiem)znativẹ́deti (vẹ́m)
to understand*orzumětiv.пониматьponimatʹрозумітиrozumítyразбирамrazbiramrozumět (rozumím)rozumieť (rozumiem)rozumieć (rozumiem)razùm(j)etirazumẹ́tiда разбираda razbira
to think*myslitiмы́слитьmýsl'it'думати, мислитиdúmaty, mýslytyми́сляmísljamyslet (myslím)myslieť (myslím)myślećmislitimisliti (mislim)да мислиda misli
to smell*ňuxatiню́хать, чу́ятьn'úkhat', čújat'нюхати, відчуватиn'úxaty, vidčuvátyмири́ша, ду́шаmiríša, dúšavonět (voním), čichat (čichám)voniať (voniam), čuchať (čuchám)czuć, wąchać, [table 15] wonieć [table 16] mirisativọ̑hati, vọ̑njati, duhatiда мириснеda mirisne
to fear*bojati sęбоя́тьсяboját's'aбоятисьbojátys'страху́вам се, боя сеstraxúvam se, boja sebát sebáť sa (bojím sa)bać się (boję się), płoszyć się, strachać się(arch.), lękać siębojati sebati seда се плашиda se plaši
to sleep*sъpatiспатьspat'спатиspátyспяspjaspátspaťspaćspavatispatiда спиеda spie
to live*žìtiv. (c)житьž'it' /žyt'/житиžútyживе́яživéjažítžiťżyćžív(j)eti, 1sg. žívīmžīvȉti, 2sg. žīvȅšživẹ́tiда живееda živee
to die*mertiумира́тьum'irát'вмиратиvmyrátyуми́рамumíramumíratumierať, zomieraťumierać, mrzećumr(ij)eti, umritiumrẹ́tiда умреda umre
to kill*ubitiубива́тьub'ivát'вбиватиvbyvátyуби́вамubívamzabíjetzabíjať, zabiťzabijać, ubijaćubitiubítiда убиеda ubie
to fight*boriti sęборо́тьсяborót's'aборотисьborótys'бо́ря се, би́я сеbórja se, bíja sebojovatbojovať, biť sawalczyć, bić się, wojować, zmagać sięboriti se, tući seboríti se, bojeváti seда се бори, да се тепаda se bori, da se tepa
to hunt*lovitiохо́титьсяoxót'it's'aполюватиpol'uvátyлову́вам, ловяlovúvam, lovjalovitloviťpolować, [table 17] łowić [table 18] lovitilovítiда ловиda lovi
to hit*udaritiv.ударя́тьudar'át'вдарятиvdar'átyу́дрямúdrjamudeřitudrieťuderzaćùdariti, 1sg. ùdarīmudáritiда удриda udri
to cut*sěkti, *strigti, *rězatiре́зать, руби́тьr'ézat', rub'ít'секти, стригти, різатиsektý, strýhty, rízatyре́жа, сека́réža, sekářezatrezať, sekať, rúbaťciąć, [table 19] strzyc, [table 20] siec OPl. rzezać (arch.)rezatirẹ́zatiда сечеda seće
to splitразделя́тьrazd'el'át'розділятиrozdil'átyразде́лямrazdéljamrozdělitrozdeliť (sa)podzielić, [table 21] rozdzielić [table 22] pod(ij)eliti, razd(ij)elitirazdelítiда подели, да разделиda podeli, da razdeli
to stab*bosti, *koltiколо́тьkolót'колотиkolótyбуча́, прому́швам, пробо́ждамbučá, promúšvam, probóždampíchnoutpichnúť. bodnúťpchnąć, [table 23] bóść [table 24] (coll. kolnąć)bosti, ubosti, klatizabósti, prebóstiда убодеda ubode
to scratch*česati, *drapatiцара́патьcarápat'чесати, дертиčesáty, dértyче́ша, дра́скамčéša, dráskamškrábatškrabať, škrabnúťdrapać, [table 25] skrobać, [table 26] czesać, [table 27] grzebać [table 28] češati, grebati, drapatipraskatiда гребе, драска, чеша, драпаda grebe, draska, ćeša, drapa
to dig*kopatiкопа́тьkopát'копатиkopátyкопа́яkopájakopatkopaťkopaćkopatikopátiда копаda kopa
to sail*pluti; *plỳtiv.; v. (a)плытьplyt' (plyvú, plyv'ót)плитиplytyплу́вамplúvamplout (pluju)plaviť sa, plávať(pływać), pluć [table 29] plovitiplúti (plújem/plóvem)да плива, да едриda pliva, da edri
to swim, float*plàvativ. (a)пла́ватьplávat'плаватиplávatyпла́вамplávamplavatplávaťpływać, pławić się, [table 30] OPl. pławaćplȉvatiplávati (plȃvam)да плива, да едриda pliva, da edri
to fly*letětiлета́тьl'etát'літатиlitátyлетя́letjálétatlietať, letieťlatać, leciećlet(j)etiletẹ́ti (letím)да летаda leta
to walk*xoditiv.ходи́тьxod'ít'ходитиxodýtyхо́дяxódjachoditchodiť, kráčaťchodzićhòdatihodȉtihodíti (hǫ́dim)да одиda odi
to go*jьtiv.идти́idt'í (idú, id'ót)йтиjtyвървя, отивамvǝ́rvja, otivamjít (jdu)ísť (idem)iść (idę)ìći (ȉdēm)íti (grem)да заминеda замине
to comeприходи́тьpr'ixod'ít'приходитиpryxódytyи́двам, ида, дохождамídvam, ida, dohoždampřicházet, přijítprichádzať, prísťprzychodzić, przyjść, dojśćdoći, prićipritiда дојдеda dojde
to lie (as in a bed)*ležatiлежа́тьl'ežát'лежатиležátyлежа́ležáležetležaťleżećležati, lijegatiležáti (ležím)лежамležam
to sit*sěstiсиде́тьs'id'ét'сидітиsydítyседя́sedjásedětsedieťsiedziećs(j)estisedẹ́ti (sedím)да седнеda sedne
to stand*statiстоя́тьstoját'стоятиstojátyстоя́, ставамstojá, stavamstátstáťstać, stawać, stojeć(arch./dial.)stati, stajativstátiда станеda stane
to turn*vьrtě̀tiv. (c)верте́тьv'ert'ét'крутитиkrutýtyвъртя́vǝrtjávrtětobracať, zvrtnúť sa(obracać), wiercićvŕt(j)eti (vŕtīm)vrtȉti (2sg. vrtĩš)vrtẹ́ti (vrtím)да врти, да завртиda vrti, da zavrti
to turn, return*vortìtiv. (b)вернутьvernut'повернути, вертатиpovernúty, vertátyвръщамvrǝshtamvrátitvrátiť sawrócićvrátiti (1sg. vrȃtīm)vrå̄tȉti (2sg. vrå̃tīš)vrnítiда се вратиda se vrati
to fall*pastiпа́датьpádat'падатиpádatyпа́дамpádampadatpadať, padnúťspadać/padać, paść/spaśćpastipastiда паднеda padne
to give*datiдава́тьdavát'дава́тиdavátyда́вамdávamdávatdávať, daťdawać, daćdatidatiда дадеda dade
to hold*dьržatiдержа́тьd'eržát'триматиtrymátyдържа́dǝržádržetdržaťtrzymać, dzierżyćdržatidržáti (držím)да држиda drži
to squeeze*tiskati;
*žęti
v. (b)сжима́тьsž'imát'стиска́тиstyskátyсти́скам, ма́чкамstískam, máčkammačkatstískať, mädliťściskać, wyżymać [table 31] stiskatistiskatiда стеска, да стегаda steska, da stega
to rub*tertiтере́тьt'er'ét'тертиtértyтри́я, тъ́ркамtríja, tǝ́rkamtříttrieť, šúchaťtrzećtrljatidrgniti, trẹ́tiда триеda trie
to wash*mytiмытьmyt'митиmýtyми́я, пера́míja, perámýtumývať, myťmyć, prać [table 32] oprati, umitiumíti, oprátiда мие, да переda mie, da pere
to wipeвытира́тьvyt'irát'витиратиvytyrátyбъ́рша, три́яbǝ́rša, tríjavytíratutierať, (u)trieťwycierać, otrzećobrisati, brisatibrisati, otrẹ́tiда бришиda briši
to pull*tęgnǫtiтяну́тьt'anút'тягтиt'ahtýдъ́рпам, те́гля, вла́чаdǝ́rpam, téglja, vláčatáhnoutťahaťciągnąć, wlec [table 33] potegnuti, vućivlẹ́či, potegnítiда влече, да тегнеda vleće, da tegne
to push*pertiтолка́тьtolkát'штовха́тиštovxátyнати́скам, бу́тамnatískam, bútamtlačittlačiťpchać, wcisnąć, [table 34] tłoczyć [table 35] gurnutipotisniti, porinitiда туркаda turka
to throw*kydati, *mesti, *vergti v.броса́ть, кида́тьbrosát', k'idát'кидатиkýdatyхвъ́рлямxvǝ́rljamházet; OCz. vrci (1sg. vrhu)hádzaťrzucać, miotać|veȑć, 2sg. veȑžešvrẹ́čiда фрлиda frli
to tie*vę̄zàtiv. (b)вяза́тьv'azát'в'яза́тиv'jazátyвръ́звамvrǝ́zvamvázatviazaťwiązaćvézati, 1sg. véžēmvēzȁti, 2sg. vēžešvẹ́zatiда врзеda vrze
to sew*šitiшитьšyt'ши́тиšýtyши́яšíjašítšiťszyćšitisejatiда сошиеda sošie
to count*čitativ.счита́ть, посчита́тьsč'itátʹ, posč'itátʹрахува́ти, лічи́тиraxuváty, ličýtyбро́яbrójapočítatpočítaťliczyćbròjatištetiда броиda broi
to read*čitativ.чита́тьč'itát'чита́тиčytátyчетаchetačíst (čtu)čítaťczytaćčìtati (čìtām)čȉtati (2sg. čȉtå̄š)brati (berem), čítati (čítam)да чита, да рачунаda čita, da računa
to speak, talk*govorìtiv.говори́тьgovor'ít'говори́тиhovorýtyговоряgovórjamluvit, hovořithovoriťrozmawiać, mówić, gwarzyć OPl. goworzyć; gaworzyć [table 36] govòriti (gòvorīm)govȍrīti (2sg. govȍrīš)govoríti (govorím)да говори, да зборуваda govori, da zboruva
to say, tell*kāzàtiv.говори́ть, сказа́тьgovor'ít', skazat'каза́тиkazátyка́жаkážahovořit, říkatpovedať, hovoriťpowiedziećkázati (kȃžēm)kå̄zȁti (2sg. kå̃žeš)rečiда кажуваda kažuva
to show*kāzàtiv.показыватьpokazyvat'пока́зуватиpokázuvatyпоказвамpokazvamukázatukázaťpokazaćkázati (kȃžēm)kå̄zȁti (2sg. kå̃žeš)kázati (kážem)да покажеda pokaže
to sing*pětiv. (c)петьp'et' (pojú, pojót)співа́тиspivátyпе́яpéja (2sg. péeš)zpívat (zpívám), pět (pěji)spievaťśpiewać (śpiewam), piać (pieję) [table 37] p(j)evatipẹ́ti (pójem)да пееda pee
to play*jьgratiигра́тьigrát'гра́тиhrátyигра́яigrájahráthraťgrać, igraćigratiigráti, igráti seда играda igra
can, to be able to*mogtiмочьmoč'могтиmohtýмога́, мо́жеmogá, móžemoci, moctmôcťmócmȍćimóčiда можеda može
to flow*tektiтечьt'eč'тектиtektýтека́, те́чеteká, téčetéci, técttiecťciec, cieknąćtećitečiда течеda teče
to freeze*mьrznǫtiзамерзáтьzam'erzát'замерзáтиzamerzátyзамръ́звамzamrǝ́zvamzamrznoutmrznúť, zmrznúť, zamrznúťmarznąć, zamarzaćmrznuti, zamrznutizamrznitiда замрзнеda zamrzne
to swell*puxnǫtiпу́хнутьpúxnut'пу́хнутиpúxnutyподпу́хвам, оти́чам, поду́вам сеpodpúxvam, otíčam, podúvam seopuchnout, otéctpuchnúť, opuchnúť, (arch.) otiecťpuchnąć, rozdąć (się)oteknuti, otećiotečiда потечиda poteči
sun*sъlnьceсо́лнцеsólnc'e /sónce/со́нцеsónceслъ́нцеslǝ́nceslunceslnko, (arch.) slncesłońcesuncesọ̑nceсонцеsonce
moon*luna, *měsęcьлуна́, ме́сяцluná, m'és'acмісяцьmís'ac'луна́, месец, месечинаluná, mesec, mesečinaměsícmesiac, (poet.) lunaksiężyc, OPl. miesiącm(j)esecmẹ́secмесечинаmesečina
star*gvězdaзвезда́zv'ezdáзіркаzírkaзвезда́zvezdáhvězdahviezdagwiazdazv(ij)ezdazvẹ́zdaѕвездаdzvezda
water*vodàf. ā (c)вода́vodá (acc. vódu)вода́vodáвода́vodávodavodawodavòda (acc. vȍdu)vodȁ (acc. vȍdu)vódaводаvoda
rain*dъždьдождьdožd' /došš', došt'/дощdoščдъждdǝžddéšťdážďdeszcz, OPl. deżdż (gen. deszczu/dżdżu)kiša, dažddǝžдождdožd
river*rěkaрека́r'ekáрі́чкаríčkaрека́rekářekariekarzekar(ij)ekarẹ́kaрекаreka
lake*(j)ezeroо́зероóz'eroо́зероózeroе́зероézerojezerojazerojeziorojezerojẹ́zeroезероezero
sea*more, *morěмо́реmór'eмо́реmóreморе́morémořemoremorzemoremọ̑rjeмореmore
salt*solьсольsol'сільsil'солsolsůlsoľsólso(l)sọ̑lсолsol
stone*kamyка́меньkám'en'ка́міньkámin'ка́мък, камъни (pl.)kámǝk, kamǝni (pl.)kámenkameňkamień (dim. kamyk)kamenkamenкаменkamen
sand*pěsъkъпесо́кp'esókпісо́кpisókпя́съкpjásǝkpísekpiesokpiasekp(ij)esakpẹ́sekпесокpesok
dust*porxъпыльpyl'пилpylпрахpraxprachprachpył, kurz, prochprašina, prahprahправ, прашинаprav, prašina
earth*zemľàf. jā (b/c)земля́z'eml'áземля́zeml'áземя́zemjázemězem, zeminaziemiazèmlja (acc. zȅmlju)zemļȁ (acc. zȅmļu)zémljaземјаzemja
way*pǫ̃tьm. i (b)путьput'шляхšl'axпътpǝtpouť (fem.) [table 38] cesta, púť ( [table 38] )droga, (arch. pątnik [table 39] ) OPl. pąćpȗt (púta)pũt (pũta)pǫ́tпатpat
mountain*goràfem. ā (c)гора́goráгора́horáгора́, планинаgorá, [table 40] planinahorahoragóragòra (gȍru), planinagorȁ (gȍru)góraгора, планинаgora, planina
cloud*tǫčaту́ча, о́блакоtúča, óblakoхмараxmáraо́блакóblakoblakoblak, mrakchmura, obłokoblakoblákоблакoblak
fog*mьglàмгла, туманmgla, tumanімла, туман, мряковинаimlá, tumán, mr'ákovynaмъгла́mǝglámlhahmlamgłamaglameglaмаглаmagla
sky*nȅboне́боn'eboне́боnéboнебе́nebénebeneboniebonebonebọ̑небоnebo
wind*vě̀trъm. o (a)ве́терv'ét'erвітерvíterвя́търvjátǝrvítrvietorwiatrv(j)ȅtar (v(j)ȅtra)vȉtar (vȉtra)vệtǝrветерveter
snow*sněgъснегsn'egснігsnihснягsnjagsníhsnehśniegsn(ij)egsnẹ́gснегsneg
frost*mòrzъморо́зmorózморо́зmorózмразmrazmrázmrázmrózmrȁzmrȁzмразmraz
ice*ledълёдl'odлідlidледledledľadlódledlẹ́dледled
smoke*dymъдымdymдимdymдим, пу́шекdim, púšekdýmdymdymdimdimчад, димčad, dim
fire*ognього́ньogón'вого́ньvohón'о́гънógǝnoheňoheňogień (ognia)vatra, oganjogenjоганogan
ash*pepelъпе́пелp'ép'elпопілpópilпе́пелpépelpopelpopolpopiółpepeopepẹ́lпепелpepel
to burn*gorěti, *palitiгоре́тьgor'ét'горітиhorítyгоря́, паля́gorjá, paljáhořethorieťpalić, arch. gorzećgoreti/goritigorẹ́tiда гориda gori
(dark) red*čьrmьnъadj. oč'er'emnój/č'er'ómnyj (dial.) [table 41] червонийčervónyjчервеноčerveno(arch.) čermný/črmný (Kott)čermák (person with a red-brown face, hair)(dial. czermny)crvenočrmljenцрвеноcrveno
(bright) red*čьrv(j)enъadj. oč'er'evl'onyj (obs.) [table 42] червонийčervónyjчерве́нčervénčervenýčervenýczerwony, czerwieńcr̀venrdečцрвен/но/на/ниcrven/no/na/ni
green*zelènъadj. o (b)зелёныйz'el'ónyjзеленийzelényjзеле́нzelénzelenýzelenýzielony, zieleńzèlen, zelèna, zelènozelẽn, zelenȁ, zelenȍzelèn, zelénaзелен/но/на/ниzelen/no/na/ni
yellow*žьltъadj. oжёлтыйžóltyjжовтийžóvtyjжълтžǝltžlutýžltýżółty, żółć, żółcieńžȗt, f. žútažȗt, f. žūtȁ, n. žȗtorumén, žȏłt, žółtaжолт/то/та/тиżolt/то/та/ти
white*bělъбе́лыйb'élyjбілийbílyjбялbjalbílýbielybiały, bielb(ij)elibẹ́lбел/о/а/иbel/о/а/и
black*čьrnъчёрныйč'órnyjчорнийčórnyjче́ренčérenčernýťiernyczarny, czerńcrnčrnцрн/о/а/иcrn/о/а/и
night*noktьночьnoč'нічničнощnoštnocnocnocnoćnọ̑čноќnokj
day*dьnьденьd'en'деньden'денdendendeňdzieńdan (dana)dan (dnẹ́, dnẹ́va)денden
year*godъ, *rokъгодgodрікrikгоди́наgodínarokrokrok(pl.lata), godzina [table 43] godinalẹ́toгодинаgodina
warm*teplъ, *toplътёплыйt'óplyjтеплийtéplyjто́плоtóploteplýteplýciepłytopaotoploтоплоtoplo
cool, cold*xoldьnъadj. o (c)холо́дныйxolódnyjхоло́днийxolódnyjхла́д/ен(но/на/ни), студен(о/а/и)xlád/en (no/na/ni), studen(o/a/i)chladnýchladný, studenýchłodnyhládanhlå̑danhládǝnладноladno
full*pьlnъпо́лныйpólnyjпо́внийpóvnyjпъ́ленpǝ́lenplnýplnýpełny, pełenpunpọ̑łnполнpoln
new*novъно́выйnóvyjновийnovýjновnovnovýnovynowynovnovновnov
old*starъста́рыйstáryjстарийstarýjстарstarstarýstarýstarystarstarстарstar
good*dobrъхоро́ший, добрыйxoróš'ij, dobryjдобрийdóbryjдобъ́рdobǝ́rdobrýdobrýdobrydobardọ̑berдобар, доброdobar, dobro
bad*zъlъadj. oзлойzlojзлий, поганийzlyj, pohányjлош, зълloš, зǝ́лzlýzlýzłyzȁo, zlȁ, zlȍzli, zlà, zloлош, зол, злаloš, zol, zla
rotten*gnjilъгнило́йgn'ilójгнилийhnylýjгнилgnilshnilýzhnitýzgniłytruognilгнилgnil
dirtyгря́зныйgr'áznyjбруднийbrudnýjмръ́сенmrǝ́senšpinavýšpinavýbrudnyprljavumázanвалканоvalkan
straight*prostъ, *pravъпрямо́йpr'amójпрямийpr'amýjправpravpřímýpriamy, rovnýprosty; prawy, [table 44] równy [table 45] pravravenправ, раменprav, ramen
round*krǫglъкру́глыйkrúglyjкруглийkrúhlyjкръ́гълkrǝ́gǝlkulatý / okrouhlýokrúhlykrągły/okrągłyokrugaookrọ̑gelкружно, округлоkružno, okruglo
sharp*ostrъо́стрыйóstryjго́стрийhóstryjо́стърóstǝrostrýostrýostryoštarọ̑stǝrостроostro
dull*tǫpътупо́йtupójтупийtypýjтъпtuptupýtupýtępytuptọ̑pтапоtapo
smooth*gladъkъгла́дкий, ро́вныйgládk'ij, róvnyjгладкий, плавнийhládkyj, plávnyjгла́дък, ра́венgládǝk, rávenhladkýhladkýgładkigladakgladekмазноmazno
wet*mokrъмо́крыйmókryjмо́крийmókryjмо́кърmókǝrmokrýmokrýmokrymokarmọ̑kerмокроmokro
dry*suxъсухо́йsuxójсухийsuxýjсухsuxsuchýsuchýsuchysuh/suvsuhсувоsuvo
correctпра́вильныйpráv'il'nyjпра́вильний, вірнийprávyl'nyj, vírnyjпра́виленprávilensprávnýsprávnypoprawny, właściwy, prawilny(slang)pravilanpravílenправилно, точноpravilno, točno
right*pravъпра́выйprávyjправийprávyjде́сенdésenpravýpravýprawydesnidẹ́sǝnдесноdesno
left*lěvъле́выйlévyjлі́вийl'ívyjлявljavlevýľavýlewyl(ij)evilẹ́viлевоlevo
far*dalekъдалёкийdal'ók'ijдалекийdalékyjдале́ченdaléčendalekýďalekýdalekidalekdaleč, daljenдалекуdaleku
near*blizъбли́зкийbl'ízk'ijблизькийblyz'kýjбли́зъкblízǝkblízkýblízkybliskiblizakblizuблизу, блискоblizu, blisko
at*pri, *uprep./pref.при, уpr'i, uпри, на, вpry, na, vпри, у, наpri, u, napři, upri, naprzy, uu; u-priкajkaj
on*naprep.наnaнаnaнаnapři, upri, nananana
in(to)*vъ(n)prep.вv; vn-у, в, ув (dialectal)u, v, uv(dialectical)в(във)v(vǝv)v; v(n)-v/vo, dow(e); wn-u; va-vвv
with*sъ(n)сsз, із, зо/зіz, iz, zo/ziс(със)s(sǝs)ss, sozs(a)s, zсоso
and(j)ь, *aи, аi, aі, й, та, а ("but")i, j, ta, aи, аi, aa, ia, ii, ai, ain, paи, аi, a
if*(j)akoе́слиjésl'iяк, якщо́, колиjam, jakščó, kolýако́akójestliakjeśli, jeżeli, jak(coll.)ako, ukolikoče, koакоako
because*dělja, *dьlja, děljьmaпотому́ чтоpotomú čto /što/бо, тому що, для (archaic "because of")bo, tomú ščo, dl'aзащо́тоzaštótoprotožepretožebo, dlatego że, ponieważ, za to, [table 46] temu, że(coll. or dial.), przeto, że(arch.zato (što, jer)zatọ̑, zatọ̑ kerзатоа што, заштоzatoa što, zašto
name*(j)ьmęи́мяím'aім'яim'áи́меímejménomenoimię, arch. mianoimeimẹ́имеime
  1. "adder"
  2. "venomous snake, adder"
  3. "wood (material). Tree is strom instead."
  4. "archaic- nowadays used as timber"
  5. "sheepskin coat"
  6. "tuft of hair"
  7. "braid, plait"
  8. "braid, mane"
  9. "carcass"
  10. "back"
  11. "arm(limb)"
  12. "entrails, eggs"
  13. "pant, gasp"
  14. "manage"; "know" (obs.)
  15. "to smell", transitive
  16. "to smell, intransitive"
  17. "hunt, chase, prowl, course"
  18. "hunt, fish, catch, snare"
  19. "cut, slice, chop"
  20. "cut, mow, trim, shear"
  21. "split, divide, separate, share, distribute"
  22. "split (up), (divide up), disunite, pull apart, separate, parcel, give away, share, distribute, provide, disperse"
  23. "push"
  24. "stab, spike, prick, butt"
  25. "scratch, scrape, irritate, rub"
  26. "scratch, scrape, rasp, scrub, grate, scribble"
  27. "comb, brush"
  28. "to rummage, to dig"
  29. "spit, sputter"
  30. "wallow"
  31. "to squeeze(mainly clothes)from water"
  32. "to wash clothes"
  33. "to drag"
  34. "to push f.ex. a button"
  35. "to push f.ex. steam"
  36. "babble, coo"
  37. "to crow, to sound like a rooster"
  38. 1 2 "pilgrimage, journey"
  39. "pilgrim"
  40. "woods"
  41. "red-haired, ginger"
  42. "dark red"
  43. "hour"
  44. "righteous"
  45. "even"
  46. "for that"

Conventions in the table

Transcription of Russian and Bulgarian

Transcription of Bulgarian follows the standard conventions for academic transliteration of Cyrillic, with the exception that Cyrillic ъ is represented as ǝ instead of ă for ease of reading, particularly when combined with a stress mark (ǝ́ instead of ). This is a one-to-one transliteration that directly represents the spelling of Cyrillic. This transliteration also represents Bulgarian phonology quite well (unlike the situation in Russian).

Transcription of Russian is based on the same standard, but deviates from it in order to consistently represent palatalization (always written with a following apostrophe, e.g. l', n', t', v') and the phoneme /j/ (always written j), both of which are spelled in multiple ways in Cyrillic. The following indicates how to convert between the two:

Cyrillic lettersLetter classAcademic transliterationThis article's transcription
а э ы о уNon-palatal vowelsa è y o ua e y o u
я е и ё юPalatal vowelsja e i ë juIf following a consonant letter, a e i o u with preceding apostrophe ('); elsewhere, ja je ji jo ju.
й ўSemivowelsj ŭsame
ьSoft sign'same
ъHard sign''not written
щA consonant signščšš'

The result is that this article's transcription is almost directly phonemic, making it significantly easier for readers not familiar with the complications of Cyrillic spelling. Note that the transcription used here continues the standard practice of representing the Cyrillic letters ы и as y i, although they are normally considered allophones of each other. This is because the pronunciation of the two letters is significantly different, and Russian ы normally continues Common Slavic *y [ɨ], which was a separate phoneme.

The letter щ is conventionally written št in Bulgarian, šč in Russian. This article writes šš' in Russian to reflect the modern pronunciation [ɕɕ].

Both transcriptions indicate stress with an acute accent (á é í ó ú ý ǝ́). Stress is indicated in Cyrillic in the same fashion, except with the letter ё, which is always stressed.

Pronunciation

Capsule summary of Russian pronunciation

The transcription used in this article is morphophonemic rather than strictly phonemic, i.e. it writes the underlying phonemes rather than the phonemes actually heard when pronounced. The difference occurs particularly in the representation of unstressed vowels, where multiple underlying phonemes merge. For example, underlying e and i merge into the same sound when unstressed, but the difference is revealed in related forms based on the same root: e.g. z'eml'á[zʲɪmˈlʲæ] "land" has accusative z'éml'u[ˈzʲemlʲʉ], but z'imá[zʲɪˈma] "winter" has accusative z'ímu[ˈzʲimu]. When the transcription (which is derived from the spelling) disagrees with the actual morphophonemic pronunciation, the latter is indicated specially, e.g. čto /što/; š'it' /šyt'/; ž'óltyj /žóltyj/; ž'ená /žená/ [ʐɨˈna]; sólnc'e /sónce/ [ˈsont͡sə]. This occurs mostly with the letters š, ž, c, which are normally written palatal but pronounced non-palatal; but it is also due to occasional assimilations. Note that the rules for unstressed vowels still need to be applied (see below).

Capsule summary of Bulgarian pronunciation

Capsule summary of Czech pronunciation

Capsule summary of Polish pronunciation

Capsule summary of Serbo-Croatian pronunciation

Dialectal differentiation

After the three palatalizations of Proto-Slavic, dialectal variation became more apparent. Some dialects (such as Proto-East Slavic), applied the second regressive palatalization across an intervening *v. [1]

Also, the realization of the palatalizations' sibilants varied a little amongst dialects. Belić (1921) argues that the phonetic character of the palatalizations was uniform throughout Common Slavic and that West Slavic languages developed *š later on by analogy. [2] In all dialects (except for Lechitic), [dz] was deaffricated to [z]: [1]

The final cutoff point for the Proto-Slavic period was the change of *ě to *a after palatal consonants and *j, which then created *ča/*ka contrasts. [3] This, and the shortening and elision of weak yers (*ь/ĭ and *ъ/ŭ) (see Havlík's law) that created newly formed closed syllables [4] ended the period of syllabic synharmony characteristic of Common Slavic.

For many Common Slavic dialects—including most of West Slavic, all but the northernmost portions of East Slavic, and some western parts of South Slavic— *g lenited from a voiced velar plosive to a voiced velar fricative ([ɡ] > [ɣ]). Because this change was not universal and because it did not occur in a number of East Slavic dialects (such as Belarusian and South Russian) until after the application of Havlík's law, Shevelov (1977) calls into question early projections of this change and postulates three independent instigations of lenition, dating the earliest to before 900 AD and the latest to the early thirteenth century. [5]

Because the reflexes for the nasal vowels *ę and *ǫ differ so widely, it's very likely that their phonetic value in Late Proto-Slavic was not uniform. [6]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Channon (1971 :9)
  2. Belić (1921 :31)
  3. Channon (1971 :12)
  4. Bethin (1997 :13)
  5. Shevelov (1977 :137, 145)
  6. Schenkdar (2002 :74)

Bibliography

Further reading