What the Heck Is ‘Пятак’? Russian Slang Demystified

🧠 Mastering “Пятак”: Russian Slang & Grammar

“Пятак” is a Russian slang word with several meanings—from money to face, space, and even prison. Let’s explore!

💰 1. Coin / Монета

Пятак — монета номиналом 5 копеек или 5 рублей.
"Pytak" refers to a coin worth 5 kopecks or 5 rubles.

«У меня остался только один пятак.»
I only had one five-kopeck coin left.

📍 2. Small Space / Пространство

Маленькая ограниченная зона, часто круглая.
A tiny, often round area or space.

«Он стоял на одном пятачке.»
He stood on a small spot, unable to move.

😶 3. Face (Slang) / Лицо

Разговорное или грубоватое слово для лица.
A slang or rough word for someone's face.

«У него весь пятак в синяках.»
His whole face was covered in bruises.

🚔 4. Prison Slang / Тюремный жаргон

Означает 5 лет заключения или СИЗО №5.
Can mean a 5-year prison sentence or Detention Center #5.

«Он получил пятак за кражу.»
He got five years for theft.

📘 Grammar Notes

• Gender: masculine noun — declines like пята́к → пятака́, пятаку́…
• Origin: From “пять” (five) + suffix “-ак” → common in coin names.
• Diminutive: пятачок — cute/small version of "пятак".
• Register: Mostly informal or slang; avoid in formal settings.

📚 More Examples

Купил пирожок за пятак.
He bought a pastry for a five-kopeck coin.

Держался на одном пятачке.
He stayed stuck in a tiny spot.

Разбил пятак в драке.
He smashed his face in a fight.

Отсидел пятак за кражу.
He served five years for stealing.

🗣️ Vocabulary

Мелочь — coins, small change
Literally “small stuff.”

Пятачок — small coin / small space (diminutive of пятак)

Рожа — slang for face, rude
Like “mug” or “ugly face.”

Срок — prison sentence / term

🎧 Practice Phrases