20 Russian Slang Words And Phrases to Impress Every Native Speaker
Do you know that slang is one of the parts of the language that changes most often?
6 minute read
Do you know that slang is one of the parts of the language that changes most often?
Even two generations have different slang words and phrases they can't understand completely or don't know when to use them.
In learning a foreign language, it is always good to know slang words for many reasons.
Not only do you boost your vocabulary but you also sound fluent in conversations with native speakers.
Besides, learning slang words and phrases on your own or with tutors is always fun.
Does any language have slang words?
Even Russian?
Yes, every language has slang words and expressions and Russian isn't an exception.
In fact, Russian has some pretty cool slang phrases.
Some of them you may find in the following lines.
For beginners, it will be a great way to see how Russian besides romantic can also be pretty cool and for more advanced learners, it is ideal to expand their vocabulary and show their knowledge in front of Russian tutors and native speakers.
Let's dive in.
20 Russian Slang Words And Phrases For Every Student to Impress Native Speakers
Америкос
Literal meaning: American
Meaning: American
Example: Возле нас сидит америкос.- An American is sitting next to us.
This word is used to describe the USA citizens in a rude way. The word was formed of two words, Американец (American) and пиндос (no exact translation).
It is certain that the word пиндос has negative meaning but there is no exact translation or equivalent English word to describe it.
Бабки
Literal meaning: grandmas
Meaning: money
Example: Где бы бабки найти?- Where can I find the money?
Interestingly, the word in Russian that describes grandmas is used as a slang word to explain the word 'money.'
It is supposed that the word comes from 100-ruble money where Yekaterina II's image was on it, who, again, was a grandma to two Russian tsars.
Like other countries and languages, Russians also have other slang words and expressions for the word ‘money.’ If you are interested to learn, some of them you may find on this link.
Бомба
Literal meaning: bomb
Meaning: the bomb, amazing
Example: Этот ресторан просто бомба!- This restaurant is the bomb!
Братан, ты спалился!
Literal meaning: Brother, you got burned.
Meaning: Bro, you got spotted/ Bro, somebody saw you.
The word 'Братан' is widely used in Russian as slang and it means 'brother, bro.'
The whole phrase is used in cases when you are spotted and you didn't want anybody to see you.
Бухой/ бухая
Literal meaning: -
Meaning: drunk
Example: Бухой чувак пел песни в парке. (A drunk guy sang songs in the park
The word Бухой is for males and бухая for females.
Всё ништяк
Literal meaning: -
Meaning: it’s all good, great
Example: А: Как дела? Б:Всё Ништяк- A: How are you?/What’s up? B: All good/ great.
Грузить
Literal meaning: to load
Meaning: to bore someone with excessive talking/to confuse someone
Example:
Да не гони!
Literal meaning: Don’t go that fast./ Don’t drive fast.
Meaning: You are talking something unreal/ I cannot believe you
Example: Я спал с леди Гагой!
– Да не гони
Да нет, наверное
Literal meaning: Yes no, might be
Meaning: no
Example: Могу я вам помочь?- Can I help you?
Да нет наверное, спасибо.- No, thanks.
Even though it seems weird when you compare literal meaning and meaning it is actually used informally when you want to say 'no.'
Pretty cool, isn't it?
Дешёвка
Literal meaning: cheap
Meaning: cheap/a steal
Example: Я купил мясо за 3 руб. Просто дешёвка!- I bought meat for 3 rubles. It’s so cheap
Достал/Досталa
Literal meaning: reached over and got
Meaning: annoyed
Example:
Чёрт
Literal meaning: devil
Meaning: shoot
Example: Чёрт, я уронила всю мою еду.- Shoot, I dropped all of my food.
Чувак/Чувиха
Literal meaning: -
Meaning: guy, dude/chick, gal, dudette
Example: Чувак co мной вместе работает.- The guy works with me.
Хавать
Literal meaning: -
Meaning: eat expressing this physical need.
Example: Идём хавать.- Let’s go eat.
Хрен знает
Literal meaning: horseradish knows
Meaning: who knows?
Example: Хрен знает кто будет следующий президент.- Who knows who will be the next president.
Мне до лампочки
Literal meaning: to me to a lightbulb
Meaning: I don’t care
Example: Мне до лампочки, позвонишь ты мне или нет.- I don’t care if you call or not.
Ну, давай!
Literal meaning: Let’s …
Meaning: Bye, Come on!
Example: А, хорошо, давай!- Ok, bye!
This phrase is actually a short form of 'давай встретимся позже' in the meaning 'let’s meet later on.'
Офигеть!
Literal meaning: -
Meaning: can’t believe it/wow
Example: Can you believe I just won a million dollars?
Офигеть
Развезло
Literal meaning: lucky
Meaning: to get drunk
Example: Меня развезло.- I got drunk.
In situations when you party with your friends and start feeling pretty drunk, you can use the word to describe your drunkenness.
Тусить
Literal meaning: -
Meaning: to hang out, party
Example: Будем тусить в пятницу?- Are we going to hang out on Friday?
The verb can't be translated literally because it describes the whole feeling and action of hanging around, having a great time with friends, but also dancing and singing when you're up to it.
Final Thoughts
So, now you see that Russian slang words and phrases aren't only useful but quite fun as well.
Cases when they are used, their meanings, and the stories behind them are also part of your language learning.
If you want to learn more slang phrases or polish your speaking skills and learn Russian at home, we recommend contacting Russian tutors, native speakers with whom you will find learning even more fun.
