]]>

British Broadcasting CorporationHome 5u2a19

Accessibility links

Your say - Weird words 2p2i2g

Sputnik 1z3b2d

The Russian word sputnik: prefix c, pronounced 's' in English, means with; put is path; nik attaches the word to a person. So sputnik: the one on the same path (with someone).

Sent by: Mel

Comments 682840

Tatiana, RF 2009-06-11

Sputnik has also the meaning "attendant", "companion", "travelling companion", "fellow traveler". And originally meant that the satellite will accompany the Earth, our planet.

Flag this comment

Montana 2008-10-06

Sputnik lead the way for ICBMs, which are long-range nuclear missiles. So it's a rocket with a nuke. The one on the same path as a nuke? Haha it's kind of funny, because it personifies a nuclear bomb and a rocket.

Flag this comment

Hampu 2008-10-24

Chandra means moon, yaan mean a vehicle, so Chandrayaan means the lunar vehicle.

Flag this comment

Share this page

Open/close

Related Links 4qa49

On bbc.co.uk/languages 2y2mt

12-weeks email tips x4w3b

Quick fix phrases 36 languages 441o3o

Teachers and tutors 6re

On bbc.co.uk 3i4j4f

BBC Schools fh5h

BBC Learning 226t1u

BBC World Service Learning English 661p5c

Elsewhere 2b2f1e

How to learn any language n5f5j

Tips on language learning 5i6m5q

Find yourself a pen-pal f5o6u

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites

BBC navigation 1p2s5i

BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.