19 Swear Words in Russian || USE WITH CAUTION!
LEARN HOW TO SWEAR IN RUSSIAN
Want to add some colourful language to your Russian vocabulary?
In this post, we’ll explore some of the most popular swear words in Russian used by native speakers every day.
Whether you’re looking to let off a little steam or simply want to understand what Russians are saying when they are angry, this list will come in handy.
But be warned – using these words may not make you too popular with the locals!
Learn them, but use with caution until you are a little more accustomed to the culture!
Russian Swear Words || Блядь (blyad’)
Russian Swear Words || Пиздец (pizdec)
Russian Swear Words || Хуй (khui)
Russian Swear Words || Ебаный (yebanyi)
Russian Swear Words || На хуй / на хуи (na khui / na khui)
Russian Swear Words || Подонок (podonok)
Russian Swear Words || Сучий потрох (suchiy potrokh)
Russian Swear Words || Others
Russian Swear Words || FAQs
Russian Swear Words || Блядь
PRONOUNCED AS || blyad’
Блядь, quite simply means “whore” and is one of the most commonly used words in the language.
DID YOU KNOW || Despite its often negative connotation, Блядь can also be used in friendly conversations like an expression of surprise or excitement.
CULTURAL POINT || It is particularly interesting to note that women are not exempt from using Блядь casually and are sometimes even more likely to use it than men.
It could be argued that this use of such an offensive word serves to desensitise Russian society – but whatever the reason behind its usage, the truth of the matter remains that blyad’ continues to be a part of everyday speech in Russia.
Russian Swear Words || Пиздец
PRONOUNCED AS || pizdec
The word пиздец is an example of a particularly strong Russian curse word.
USE WITH CAUTION!
Though literal translations don’t always do justice, this particular word can be roughly translated to ‘damn’ or ‘crap’.
But depending on its usage and inflection, it can vary in intensity from mildly expressing surprise, to complete disbelief, or a powerful negative reaction full of anger or frustration.
As with many profane words, certain contexts empower speakers with the ability to communicate intense emotions quickly and effectively.
Пиздец is no exception – it’s a timeless classic for Russians everywhere!
Let’s see a couple of examples of this Russian swear word in action…
Example 1
- Hey, Vanya, did you hear about the sales in Costco for the Paskha? They are selling everything with 80% discount!
- Пиздееееец! (In this context – wow)
Example 2
- Dear, Mikhail, I am very sorry to say that but we have to fire you…
- Пиздец… (In this context – f**k)
Russian Swear Words || Хуй
PRONOUNCED AS || khui
Хуй is one of the more unique cultural traditions in existence.
It is an old Russian superstition that involves a mixture of prayers and hammering a nail into a wooden beam to protect a home from evil forces.
After the wooden beam is hung up, a piece of iron is hammered into it with various blessings to protect those who live there.
This unique practice has been passed down through generations and continues to be practiced today, mainly in the rural areas of Russia.
It offers those living in some of the more remote places in Russia a spiritual protection from bad luck, illness, evil spirits and other such things.
Yet, bizarrely, despite the story, Хуй is actually one of the more vulgar and commonly used swear words in Russian. Хуй can refer to someone as being a d!ck, d!ckhead or simply adding an angry emphasis to a statement.
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Russian Swear Words || Ебаный
PRONOUNCED AS || yebanyi
Ебаный is an interesting Russian word that could be loosely translated to mean “f*cking”.
It is one of those terms that everyone should know.
In casual settings, it can be used when you want to emphatically express something that is just truly outstanding and great.
Rather than just say something is great, you can say it is Ебаный great!
It’s not just a way to express pleasure, though; even in moments of disappointment or sorrow, the intensity of emotion can be articulated with this incredible term.
Ебаный is more than a word; it’s almost like a way of life!
Russian Swear Words || На хуй / на хуи
PRONOUNCED AS || na khui / na khui
На хуй/на хуи is a popular catchphrase in the Russian language that has made appearances in many contemporary films and music.
While it has a raunchy sound to it when translated directly, this phrase is typically used just like “f*ck you” or “f*cking hell” would be used in English.
Tread carefully!
Despite the cutting definition, Russians often use На хуй / на хуи to emphasize their reactions to unexpected events or exciting news.
Often times, the phrase has been seen as a sort of comical device that can add flavour to conversation or otherwise express certain emotions among people speaking Russian.
It could be said that на хуй / на хуи holds important value in helping people enrich their speech and connect with one another through shared language.
Russian Swear Words || Подонок
PRONOUNCED AS || podonok
Подонок, which translates literally to “butt-monkey” is a term that Russian speakers can use when referring to someone who is acting foolish or silly.
It is usually used as an insult with strong connotations that are meant to be taken seriously.
For example, if someone was being particularly annoying or thoughtless in social situations, they could be called a подонок.
In addition to being derogatory, the term has also been known to be used affectionately among friends and family members when describing lighthearted behaviour.
Overall, подонок carries with it many nuances and uses that speak not only to its versatility but also to its importance in the Russian language.
It is a unique phrase that symbolizes the comical, yet often serious, nature of life in Russia.
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Russian Swear Words || Сучий потрох
PRONOUNCED AS || suchiy potrokh
Сучий потрох, while sounding like a harsh phrase, is actually quite endearing in the Russian language.
It translates roughly to “cute little bits” and is used to lovingly describe small details or trinkets that add charm to something larger.
FOR EXAMPLE || a person might say that their lunchbox contains Сучий потрох when referring to the special extras they packed inside it – such as a note from home or a sweet treat – that make the meal even more special.
However, don’t get too starry eyed because this is also used as a Russian curse word.
СУЧИЙ means b!tch in Russian and when put together with потрох – you get something along the lines of son of a b!tch
Language is a funny old thing, isn’t it!
Other Honourable Mentions
We’re not done just yet!
There are plenty more Russian curse words we can teach you before completing our lesson, and here are some of our favourites!
| Russian | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Долбоеб | dolboyob | Fool, Idiot |
| Иди на хуй | idi na hui | F*ck yourself |
| Сволочь | svo lach’ | Trash, Scum, Jerk |
| Жопа | zho pa | Brat * |
| Гавно | gav no | Sh!t ** |
| лох | loh | Stupid, Idiot, Sucker |
| Гандон | gan don | Condom ^ |
| Чушь собачья | chush’ sobach’ya | Bullsh!tter |
| Трахни тебя | trakhni tebya | F#ck You |
| Ти дегхенераат | ti degheneraat | You’re a degenerate |
| Отыебис от меныа! | otyebis ot menya! | Move your ass / Get the f*ck away |
| чертовски дно | chertovski dno | F*cking bottom ^^ |
Just some notes on some of the Russian swear words from above:
* Жопа is typically used towards children. Compared to most in the list it’s more harmless and won’t get you into too much trouble if you use it.
** Гавно is used more when speaking to yourself rather than to insult someone. Let’s say you hit your toe against the bed post (never nice). This is where Гавно comes in!
^ Гандон. Whilst calling someone a condom in English is just not a thing, it’s quite common in Russia. Used to refer to someone weak or just plain irritating.
^^ чертовски дно would be used when referring to hitting rock bottom.
Блядь, хуй, пиздец! Чмоха! You’ve made it to the end!
We hope you have learnt something new about Russian culture and language today.
REMEMBER || we highly advise you DON’T go around the streets of Moscow testing these words out!
For now, learn them and see how often they appear in day-to-day Russian conversation. If you have any questions about their usage, or further comments, you can drop us a message below.
Love learning about profanity? Who doesn’t! Let’s take a look at some other colourful words in these languages too:
- Discover 50+ swear words in Mandarin Chinese
- Learn how to swear in Korean
- Find out the art of swearing in Vietnamese
- Discover if swearing really exists in Japanese
- Learn how one Italian swear word can be so versatile
RUSSIAN SWEAR WORDS || FAQs
What is пиздец?
The word пиздец is an example of a particularly strong Russian curse word.
USE WITH CAUTION!
Though literal translations don’t always do justice, this particular word can be roughly translated to ‘damn’ or ‘crap’.
But depending on its usage and inflection, it can vary in intensity from mildly expressing surprise, to complete disbelief, or a powerful negative reaction full of anger or frustration.
How do you say f*cking in Russian?
Ебаный is an interesting Russian word that could be loosely translated to mean “f*cking”.
It is one of those terms that everyone should know.
In casual settings, it can be used when you want to emphatically express something that is just truly outstanding and great.
Rather than just say something is great, you can say it is Ебаный great!
How do you say whore in Russian?
Блядь, quite simply means “whore” and is one of the most commonly used words in the language.
DID YOU KNOW || Despite its often negative connotation, Блядь can also be used in friendly conversations like an expression of surprise or excitement.
CULTURAL POINT || It is particularly interesting to note that women are not exempt from using Блядь casually and are sometimes even more likely to use it than men.
How to say Подонок in English?
Подонок is pronounced as podonok.
It translates literally to “butt-monkey” is a term that Russian speakers can use when referring to someone who is acting foolish or silly.
It is usually used as an insult with strong connotations that are meant to be taken seriously.
For example, if someone was being particularly annoying or thoughtless in social situations, they could be called a подонок.
What does Сволочь mean?
Сволочь translates to trash, scum or jerk.
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