стена
stena
/stʲɪˈna/
Definition
A wall — a solid vertical surface that forms the side of a room or building.
Example
На стене висит красивая картина.
Show translation
A beautiful painting hangs on the wall.
Etymology
From Proto-Slavic *stěna, related to Old Church Slavonic стѣна. Cognate with Polish ściana and Czech stěna. The root is shared with the verb стоять ("to stand"), reflecting the wall as something that "stands upright."
Cultural note
Стена carries rich cultural weight in Russian. The phrase "как об стену горох" ("like peas against a wall") means talking to someone who simply won't listen — a common idiom for stubbornness. The Kremlin wall (Кремлёвская стена) is one of Russia's most iconic landmarks and a burial site for Soviet leaders.