дерево
derevo
/ˈdʲerʲɪvə/
Definition
A large plant with a thick wooden trunk, branches, and leaves. Also the material (wood) that comes from it.
Example
Дети играли под большим деревом в парке.
Show translation
The children played under the big tree in the park.
Etymology
From Proto-Slavic *dervo, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dóru ("wood, tree"), the same root that gives Greek δόρυ (dóry, "spear, wood"), Sanskrit दारु (dāru, "wood"), and English "tree" (via PIE *drew-). The modern Russian form дерево reflects a regular vowel development with a neuter nominative ending.
Cultural note
Trees hold deep symbolism in Russian folklore and poetry. The white birch (берёза) is an iconic national symbol, and the rowan tree (рябина) appears throughout folk songs as an image of longing and beauty. In Russian, дерево serves double duty — it means both a living tree and the material "wood/timber," much like French bois or German Holz.