April 27, 2026
How to say “лить” in English: 6 different words
In English, you can’t always translate «лить» with just one word. First, picture what’s happening: is the liquid flowing in a stream, dripping from above, accidentally spilling, or flying apart in splashes? That’s what determines the word.
Quick cheat sheet
- A stream from a glass or bottle — pour.
- A little from above onto food — drizzle or sprinkle.
- Accidentally spilled — spill.
- Water flying outward — splash.
- Lots of tiny drops, like from a spray bottle — spray.
POUR — when liquid flows in a stream
Use pour when you are pouring water, milk, tea, or juice, and the liquid comes out in one clear stream. For example, you hold a bottle and pour milk into a bowl.
Don’t mix it up: pour usually describes an action you do on purpose.
Example: Pour the milk into the bowl.
pour
verbналивать
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DRIZZLE — when you add a little from above
Drizzle does not mean “pour a lot.” It means adding a small amount of oil, honey, or sauce in a thin line from above. Imagine a salad: you wouldn’t dump in half a bottle of oil, but gently let a thin stream flow over it.
Example: Drizzle olive oil over the salad.
drizzle
verbполить тонкой струёй
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SPILL — when it happens by accident
Use spill when liquid ends up where it shouldn’t be. You didn’t mean to, but now the coffee is on the table, on your shirt, or on the floor.
Don’t mix it up: pour can be intentional, while spill is almost always “oops, I spilled it.”
Example: I spilled coffee on my shirt.
spill
nounпролитая жидкость
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SPLASH — when there are splashes
Splash is when water doesn’t just spill out, but flies in different directions. For example, a car drives through a puddle and splashes water onto your clothes.
Example: The car splashed water on me.
SPRAY — when liquid comes out as tiny drops
Spray is a “pssh.” The liquid comes out as a cloud of tiny drops: from a spray bottle, hose, or can.
Example: Spray the plants with water.
SPRINKLE — when you add a little over the surface
Sprinkle is softer than spray. It means adding a little water, sugar, salt, or flour over the surface. Not a stream, not a strong spray — just a little from above.
Example: Sprinkle water on the dough.
How to remember it
If you can say “it flows in a stream,” choose pour. If it’s “oops, I spilled it,” use spill. If there are “splashes flying out,” use splash. If it’s a “pssh,” use spray. If it’s “just a little from above,” use drizzle or sprinkle.