What is the difference between “есть” and “кушать” in Russian?

Russian has two verbs for “to eat.” Есть is the neutral one: я ем, он ест. Кушать is softer and more caring, used for children, pets and when offering food: кушай, кушай!, “eat up!” Many Russians find я кушаю about yourself a bit childish or affected, so for your own meals, stick with я ем.

The two divide the work neatly: иди кушать to a child, пора есть among adults. Есть also has a very irregular present (ем, ешь, ест, едим, едите, едят), which may be one reason learners reach for кушать. The story uses both: Vasya the cat любит спать и кушать, then он ест колбасу.