Language/Belarusian/Vocabulary/Drinks

Belarusian Vocabulary - Drinks

Hi Belarusian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about drinks and beverages in Belarusian. Belarusians love their drinks, whether it is tea, coffee, or alcoholic beverages like beer, krambambula, or kvass. Let's dive in and improve our Belarusian vocabulary!

Basic Vocabulary

Let's start with some basic vocabulary for drinks and beverages.

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
напiўка	nápūka	drink
гарачы напой	haráchy napoj	hot drink
халадны напой	chaládny napoj	cold drink
чай	chai	tea
кава	kava	coffee

For example, you can use the following phrases in everyday conversations:

• Person 1: Вось кавы. (Here is coffee.)
• Person 2: Дзякуй. (Thank you.)

• Person 1: Хочаш яшчэ чаю? (Do you want more tea?)
• Person 2: Ня, дзякуй. (No, thank you.)

Belarusian cuisine is rich in various drinks, including alcoholic ones. Let's have a look at the most popular ones.

Alcoholic Beverages

Belarusians enjoy drinking beer, liquor, and other alcoholic beverages, especially on special occasions, such as weddings or holidays.

Beer

Belarus has a long-standing tradition of brewing beer, and there are many local breweries producing a variety of beers. Here are some types of beer you might find in Belarus:

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
пiўнае	píŭnae	beer
свецкае пiва	sviečkae piva	light beer
цёмнае пiва	ciomnae piva	dark beer
жывое пiва	žyvoje piva	draft beer
бочкае пiва	bočkae piva	barrel beer

Here is a dialogue:

• Person 1: Дасце мне, калi ласка, пiва. (Give me beer, please.)
• Person 2: Якое? (Which one?)
• Person 1: Свецкае. (Light.)

Krambambula

Krambambula is a traditional Belarusian alcoholic drink, usually served at weddings and other celebrations. It is a sweet and strong drink made from honey, spices, and alcohol.

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
крамбамбуля	krambaḿbula	krambambula
мядовы	mjadóvy	honey-based

Here is a dialogue:

• Person 1: Мабыць, спрабуеш крамбамбулю? (Maybe you will try krambambula?)
• Person 2: Добра, маё любімое. (Good, my favorite.)

Horilka

Horilka is a strong alcoholic drink similar to vodka, made from fermented grain, potatoes or sugarbeets. It is usually consumed chilled and is often served with traditional Belarusian dishes.

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
гарэлка	harélka	horilka
пшанічная	pshaničnaja	made from rye
картавацкая	kartavackaja	made from potatoes
цукравая	cukravaja	made from sugar beets

Here is a dialogue:

• Person 1: Хочаш гарэлкі? (Do you want horilka?)
• Person 2: Ня, дзякуй. (No, thank you.)

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Apart from alcoholic beverages, Belarusians also enjoy various non-alcoholic drinks that are refreshing and delicious.

Kvass

Kvass is a traditional Belarusian non-alcoholic beverage made from fermented rye bread. It is a refreshing drink with a slightly sour and sweet taste.

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
квас	kvas	kvass

Here is a dialogue:

• Person 1: Хочаш квасу? (Do you want kvass?)
• Person 2: Добра, спачатку спрабую. (Good, I will try it first.)

Sbiten

Sbiten is a traditional hot drink made from water, honey, and spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. It is especially popular during the winter months and is known for its warming properties.

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
сбітень	sbíten'	sbiten

Here is a dialogue:

• Person 1: Навошта з падарункам? (Why with a gift?)
• Person 2: Ну, на вуліцы халадна, можам пяць сбітню. (Well, it's cold outside, we can have five sbitens.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned the basic vocabulary and some interesting facts about drinks and beverages in Belarusian. To improve your Belarusian vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions! Don't forget to check out the [ [Language/Belarusian/Vocabulary|Vocabulary]] and other lessons on the [ [Language/Belarusian|Belarusian]] language.

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Related Lessons

• Colors
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Clothes
• Seasons
• Months of the year
• Body and Medecine
• Transportation
• Computers and Computer Science
• Languages

Sources

• 7 Belarusian phrases to learn before you visit (and how to say them)