Russian slang: how to understand and translate it into English
The Russian language is not limited to grammar and literary speech. And you can learn it all your life! Why? Real live speech is full of slang, phraseologisms and colloquial expressions that are difficult to find in textbooks. Sometimes they come from English, sometimes they are purely Russian words that are difficult to translate. Besides, every year new words and phrases appear, and some are forgotten and used less often.
In this article, we will analyze the main categories of Russian slang, show examples and give recommendations on how to understand and use them correctly.
Russian slang that is easy to understand for native English speakers
Some words in Russian come from English and have a similar sound and meaning. This makes them understandable for those who speak English.
- Хайпить (от английского «hype») — Create a stir around something.
Example:
«Этот блогер хайпит на скандалах» → «This blogger hypes on scandals.»
In Russian, the word has become broader: it can mean not only PR, but also just hanging out, activity.
- Краш (от английского «crush») — the person you like.
- Example:
- «Мой краш не отвечает на сообщения» → «My crush doesn’t reply to my messages.»
- In Russian it is used in the same way as in English, but it is more common in teenage speech.
- Хейтить (от английского «to hate») — to hate, to criticize.
- Example:
- «Почему все хейтят этот фильм?» → «Why is everyone hating on this movie?»
- The word is most often used on the internet, especially on social media.
- Флексить (от английского «flex») — show off, show status.
- Example:
- «Он флексит своей новой машиной» → «He’s flexing his new car.»
- While in English “flex” is more often used in a sporting or pathos context, in Russian it is closer to “show off”.
- Рофлить (от английского «ROFL – rolling on the floor laughing») — laugh, make fun.
- Example:
- «Я просто рофлю с этого комментария!» → «I’m literally rolling on the floor laughing at this comment!»
- In Russian, the word has acquired another meaning - not just to laugh, but also to “tease”, to make fun of someone.
💡Tip: If you see a Russian word that looks like an English word - it probably means the same thing, but not always!
Russian slang that is difficult to translate into English
It is more complicated here. Some words have no exact analog in English and have to be translated descriptively.
- Офигеть! — an expression of surprise, admiration, or shock.
Depending on the context, it can mean:
- «Wow!»
- «Unbelievable!»
- «No way!»
- Пример:
- «Офигеть, ты сделал это сам?» → «Wow, did you do it yourself?»
- Зашквар — something embarrassing, shameful.
- Example:
- «Ходить в носках с сандалиями — зашквар» → «Wearing socks with sandals is embarrassing.»
- The English equivalent is “cringe,” but it doesn't always convey the same hue.
- Тупить — slow-witted, hovering.
- Example:
- «Я сегодня весь день туплю» → «I’ve been zoning out all day.»
- In conversation, it can mean “being out of shape”, “not understanding what's going on”.
- Фигня — something bad, unnecessary or irrelevant.
- Example:
- «Не переживай, это фигня!» → «Don’t worry, it’s nothing.»
- Sometimes it means something useless, and sometimes it just means something unpleasant.
- Чувак/чувиха — colloquial “boyfriend/girlfriend”.
- Example:
- «Чувак, ты реально это сделал?» → «Dude, did you really do that?»
- Closest analog in English— dude, bro, mate.
What is the correct way to translate Russian slang?
To make sure you don't make a mistake, look at the situation:
- «Круто» → Cool / Awesome / Great — depends on the emotion.
- «Офигеть» → Wow / No way!
- «Зашквар» → Cringe / Lame / Embarrassing
In Russian, intonation and context are important. For example, the word “жесть” can mean both something cool and something bad.
Examples:
✔ «Этот фильм — жесть!» → «This movie is intense!»
✔ «Вчера был такой дождь — просто жесть!» → «It was raining like crazy yesterday!»
Сравнение русского и английского сленга
Русский сленг
Английский аналог
Кайф [Kajf]
Pleasure, high, joy
Оторваться [Otorvat'sya]
Have a blast
Фигня [Fignya]
Nonsense, junk
Зависать [Zavisat']
Chill, hang out
Страдать фигнёй [Stradat' fignyoj]
Waste time, do nothing
Тормозить [Tormozit']
Be slow, be out of it
How to learn Russian slang and not make mistakes?
💡 Tip 1. Listen to native speakers
Make friends, watch blogs, listen to podcasts. This way you'll realize faster which words are relevant and which ones are outdated.
💡 Tip 2. Watch movies and TV series
A great way to hear slang in a real-life context. Try The Irony of Fate, Holop, Move Up.
💡 Tip 3. Correspond in social networks
Russians actively use slang in Telegram, TikTok and Instagram. Try writing a comment and watch the reaction!
💡 Tip 4. Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Russians themselves sometimes confuse slang, and its meanings change. The main thing is to try!
Slang makes the Russian language lively and emotional, but to use it correctly, you need to feel the context.
Do you want to understand Russian speech without subtitles and confidently speak at a conversational level?
📌 Sign up for a trial lesson at Astralion - we'll teach you how to parse slang, understand native speakers and apply phrases in the right situations.
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