Russian · Nature & Weather
Река
reka
River
Beginnernoun · feminine
Definition
A large natural stream of water flowing to the sea.
Example
Волга — самая длинная река России.
The Volga is the longest river in Russia.
Etymology
The word 'река' (reka) comes from the Proto-Slavic '*rěka', with roots linked to water and flow, highlighting the importance of rivers in Slavic history and geography.
How & Where It’s Used
'Река' is widely used in everyday language as well as in literary contexts, typically in both formal and informal registers.
Literary Heritage
Rivers appear in Russian folk tales and literature, notably in the works of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky, often embodying the passage of time.