Transportation Vocabulary: Vehicle Names (with Pronunciation)

There are different types of vehicles that one can use for their convenience. We use different names of machines that transports people in everyday speaking, so it’s better to learn at least the basic ones.

Here’s a list for you with most common types of vehicles (including transcription) that will help you increase your vocabulary.

Vehicle Names

транспорт [transpart] – transport, vehicle

транспортное средство (средство передвижения) – mean of transportation

колесо [kaleeso] – wheel

моноколесо [monakaleeso] – unicycle

коньки [kan’kee] – skates

роликовые коньки (ролики) – roller skates

сани [sanee] – sled

скейтборд – skateboard

гироскутер [geeraskooter]  – hoverboard

самокат [samakat] – scooter

электросамокат – electric scooter

скутер – motor scooter

велосипед [vyelasipet] – bicycle

мопед [mapyet] – moped

мотоцикл [matatsikl] – motorcycle

автомобиль [aftamabeel’] – automobile, car

машина [mashina] – car

автобус [aftobus] – bus

школьный автобус – school bus

поезд [poest] – train

такси [taksee] – taxi

трамвай [tramvay] – tram

троллейбус [tralyeyboos] – trolleybus

метро [myetro] – subway

See Also: City Objects and Places in Russian

грузовик [groozaveek] – lorry; truck

фура [foora] – semi-truck

фургон [foorgon] – van

микроавтобус – minibus

трактор [traktor] – tractor

бульдозер [bool’dozyer] – bulldozer

самолёт [samalyot] – airplane

вертолёт [vyertalyot] – helicopter

дирижабль [deereezhabl’] – airship

воздушный шар – air balloon

лодка [lotka] – boat

подводная лодка – submarine

катер [katyer] – speedboat

яхта [yachta] – yacht

корабль [karabl’] – ship

Want to learn vocabulary in pictures with pronunciation? Watch the video below!

Transportation Verbs

Transportation verbs in Russian refer to actions related to the movement and transportation of people or goods. We use them with vehicle names.

ездить/ехать – to go, to ride

This verb is used when referring to someone traveling or riding in a vehicle.

For example:

Я еду домой. – I’m going home (by vehicle).

Мы поедем на поезде завтра утром. – We will depart by train tomorrow morning.

кататься – to ride, to go for a ride

It refers to the action of taking a ride or engaging in recreational movement, often involving vehicles or modes of transportation.

Я люблю кататься на велосипеде. (I enjoy riding a bicycle.)

Они решили по кататься на роликах в парке. (They decided to go rollerblading in the park.)

В выходные мы собираемся покататься на лыжах. (We plan on skiing during the weekend.)

Ежегодно в городе организуются мероприятия, где дети могут покататься на аттракционах. (Annually, events are organized in the city where children can ride on amusement park attractions.)

The verb “кататься” is often used with a specific mode of transportation, such as bicycles, rollerblades, skis, skateboards, or amusement park rides. It conveys the idea of enjoying the movement or ride, usually in a leisurely or recreational manner.

водить – to drive, to operate

Я умею водить машину. – I know how to drive a car.

Ты умеешь водить трактор? – Can you operate this tractor?

The verb “водить” is used when referring to the act of driving or operating a vehicle, such as a car, bus, bicycle, tractor, etc.

летать/лететь – to fly

This verb is used when referring to traveling by air or flying.

Я лечу в Москву на самолёте. – I’m flying to Moscow by plane.

Они летят в другую страну. – They are flying to another country.

плавать/плыть – to swim, to sail

This verb is used when referring to traveling by water or sailing.

Мы плывем на корабле по реке. – We are sailing on a ship along the river.

Он плавает на лодке по озеру. – He is boating on the lake.