Meaning
Inseparable friends.
Cultural Background
Friendship in Russia is often seen as a 'second family'. Being 'водой не разольёшь' implies a level of commitment where you would help your friend move apartments, lend them money without a contract, or listen to their problems at 3 AM. During the Soviet period, the idea of the 'collective' was strong. This idiom was often used to describe the ideal bond between 'tovarishchi' (comrades) in labor or war. Young Russians today use the variation 'не разлей вода' frequently in texting and on social media, often accompanied by emojis like 👯♂️ or 🤝. In villages, the literal origin of the phrase (separating animals) is still understood, giving the idiom a more 'grounded' and 'earthy' feel than in the city.
Use 'Их'
If you aren't sure how to start the sentence, just say 'Их водой не разольёшь' (Them, water won't separate). It's the most foolproof way to use it.
Don't use for objects
This idiom is only for living beings (people or sometimes pets). Don't use it for a phone and its charger!
Meaning
Inseparable friends.
Use 'Их'
If you aren't sure how to start the sentence, just say 'Их водой не разольёшь' (Them, water won't separate). It's the most foolproof way to use it.
Don't use for objects
This idiom is only for living beings (people or sometimes pets). Don't use it for a phone and its charger!
The 'Не разлей вода' trick
If the full verb form is too hard, use 'Они — друзья не разлей вода'. It functions like a simple adjective.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the correct case.
Они лучшие друзья, их ______ не разольёшь.
The idiom requires the Instrumental case 'водой'.
Which sentence correctly uses the idiom?
Choose the correct option:
The idiom uses the impersonal 'разольёшь' and the object in the Accusative ('нас').
Match the Russian idiom with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
The first pair is the correct idiomatic match for inseparability.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
— Твои братья всегда ходят в спортзал вместе? — Да, их...
This is the most natural idiomatic response to describe two people always doing things together.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesОни лучшие друзья, их ______ не разольёшь.
The idiom requires the Instrumental case 'водой'.
Choose the correct option:
The idiom uses the impersonal 'разольёшь' and the object in the Accusative ('нас').
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
The first pair is the correct idiomatic match for inseparability.
— Твои братья всегда ходят в спортзал вместе? — Да, их...
This is the most natural idiomatic response to describe two people always doing things together.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but it emphasizes that they are best friends as well as a couple. It's very sweet but less 'romantic' than other phrases.
It is always 'разольёшь' (perfective future). Using 'разливаешь' (imperfective) breaks the idiom.
Not at all! It's a classic that is still used every day by all ages.
You can still use it! 'Их троих водой не разольёшь.'
99% of the time it is positive. Occasionally, it can be used sarcastically if two people are annoyingly inseparable.
Related Phrases
Не разлей вода
synonymInseparable friends (noun form)
Закадычный друг
similarBosom buddy
Как кошка с собакой
contrastLike cat and dog
Пуд соли съесть
builds onTo eat a pood of salt together
