огонь
ogon'
/ɐˈɡonʲ/
Definition
Fire; a flame or burning light. Also used figuratively to mean passion or energy.
Example
Дети сидели у огня и пели песни.
Show translation
The children sat by the fire and sang songs.
Etymology
From Proto-Slavic *ognь, itself from Proto-Indo-European *h₁n̥gʷnis ("fire"), the same root that gives Latin *ignis* (fire), Sanskrit *agni* (fire, the fire god), and Lithuanian *ugnis*. The word is thus a direct linguistic cousin of the English borrowings "ignite" and "igneous."
Cultural note
Fire holds deep symbolic weight in Russian culture. The Eternal Flame (Вечный огонь) burns at war memorials across Russia to honour fallen soldiers of World War II — a sight central to every Victory Day (9 May) commemoration. The phrase "играть с огнём" (to play with fire) is a common Russian idiom for reckless behaviour, instantly recognisable to any native speaker.