Signification
Describing tea with a high concentration.
Contexte culturel
Tea is often served with 'varenye' (fruit preserves) which can be eaten with a spoon or stirred into the 'крепкий чай'. In these regions, tea is often served in small bowls (piala). If the tea is 'крепкий', it is a sign of respect to the guest. In cold climates, 'крепкий чай' is often drunk with milk and salt to provide more energy and electrolytes. The term 'чифирь' is a hyper-concentrated 'крепкий чай' used as a stimulant. It is culturally distinct and not used in polite society.
The Zavarka Trick
If you are in a Russian home, don't pour a full cup from the small teapot. That's the 'zavarka' (concentrate). Pour a little, then add hot water from the big kettle!
Caffeine Alert
Russian 'крепкий чай' can be surprisingly strong. If you have heart issues, always ask for 'некрепкий' (not strong).
Signification
Describing tea with a high concentration.
The Zavarka Trick
If you are in a Russian home, don't pour a full cup from the small teapot. That's the 'zavarka' (concentrate). Pour a little, then add hot water from the big kettle!
Caffeine Alert
Russian 'крепкий чай' can be surprisingly strong. If you have heart issues, always ask for 'некрепкий' (not strong).
Hospitality Rule
Never refuse a cup of tea in a Russian home. Even if you don't want it 'крепкий', just take a 'слабый' one to be polite.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'крепкий'.
Я не люблю ________ чай, я пью слабый.
The noun 'чай' is masculine, so we use the masculine ending '-ий'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you ask for strong tea?
'Крепкий' is the only correct collocation for tea concentration.
Match the Russian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the core terms related to Russian tea culture.
Complete the dialogue.
— Вам чай какой? — ________, пожалуйста, и без сахара.
In the context of tea preference, 'крепкий' is the most natural answer.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Tea Strength Levels
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesЯ не люблю ________ чай, я пью слабый.
The noun 'чай' is masculine, so we use the masculine ending '-ий'.
How do you ask for strong tea?
'Крепкий' is the only correct collocation for tea concentration.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the core terms related to Russian tea culture.
— Вам чай какой? — ________, пожалуйста, и без сахара.
In the context of tea preference, 'крепкий' is the most natural answer.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'крепкий кофе' is perfectly natural and very common.
No. 'Черный чай' is the type (black tea), while 'крепкий' describes the concentration.
The opposite is 'слабый чай' (weak tea) or 'некрепкий чай'.
You can say: 'Можно сделать чай покрепче?'
Yes, 'крепкий алкоголь' refers to spirits like vodka or whiskey.
It's a tradition rooted in the need for warmth and the historical use of tea as a social centerpiece.
Yes, though green tea is usually brewed less 'strong' than black tea.
It is the concentrated tea liquid that you dilute with water.
Most Russians avoid 'крепкий чай' late at night to prevent insomnia.
No, but historically, only wealthy people could afford to make their tea very strong.
Expressions liées
Крепкий кофе
similarStrong coffee
Крепкий сон
builds onDeep/sound sleep
Крепкий орешек
figurativeA hard nut to crack
Крепкое здоровье
similarRobust health
