Did you know that both a soup bowl and a plate are called тарелка in Russian? 🍽️
For English speakers, this can be surprising. In English, a bowl and a plate are two different words. In Russian, however, the same word тарелка is often used for both.
So how do Russians tell them apart? The answer is simple: they use adjectives.
- Глубокая тарелка — a soup bowl (literally, “deep plate”)
- Мелкая тарелка — a plate (literally, “shallow plate”)
The adjective describes the shape and depth of the dish, making it clear which type of тарелка is being discussed.
Vocabulary details like this show how languages organize the world in different ways. Learning everyday words and expressions can help you sound more natural and better understand native Russian speakers.
If you are interested in expanding your Russian vocabulary and building confidence in speaking, reading, and understanding Russian, I offer online Russian language classes for adults, children, heritage speakers, and university students. Lessons are available for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced students worldwide.