24 Russian Slang Words You Must Know
When working towards Russian fluency, it's important to start with the basics. First, you need to get a solid understanding of the Russian alphabet and pronunciation. Once you master that, you can move on to vocabulary and some fun words—like Russian slang! Russian slang gives you a chance to connect with native speakers and express your interest in their language. It helps you understand ‘everyday’ Russian rather than sticking to the more ‘textbook’ versions. Plus, Russian slang is used in contemporary movies, music, books, and among locals on the streets. It’s a fun way to dive into the language and can have a tremendous impact on your journey towards fluency. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 24 words used as slang for a Russian native speaker.
24 Words Used as Slang for a Russian
There are several different Russian slang words, some of which are new, and some date back 100 years. If you want to better understand the Russian language and connect with natives, adding a few to your vocabulary is smart. To help you perfect your use of Russian slang, download Tandem and match with a native speaker. Then, practice some of the most common Russian slang words used today.
Чувак/Чувиха — Dude/Dudette
This slang for Russian natives dates back all the way to the 1920s and was originally a word used to describe prostitutes. However, today, it’s a way to say ‘dude’ or ‘dudette/gal.’
Бомба — Bomb/Amazing
When you want to say something is really great, you can use this word for Russian slang. It literally means ‘bomb,’ but is often used as a way to say, ‘that’s bomb’ or ‘amazing.’
Всё ништяк — It’s all good
When someone asks how are you in Russian slang, you can reply with Всё ништяк. This is a simple way to say, ‘It’s all good.’
Как сам? — What’s up?
Alternatively, you can use this phrase to ask What’s up? In Russian slang.
Офигеть — No way/Wow
If you want to express your disbelief in something, you can use this Russian slang word. It means ‘No way!’ or ‘I can’t believe it.’ It can also be used as an alternative to ‘wow.’
Круто — Cool
Want to know how to say cool in Russian slang? Simply use Круто. It can be used as a casual comment in several situations, even though its literal translation means ‘steep.’
Да не гони! – Seriously?
This Russian slang phrase has a few different meanings, all of which can be used in respective situations. They all sort of veer off of the word, ‘seriously?’ However, it can mean something like, ‘you are saying something unreal’ and ‘you are saying something I believe is not true.’ But it can also be used to say, ‘Stop lying’ or ‘I don’t believe you.’
Хавать – To eat
This Russian verb means ‘to eat,’ but it’s a lot more casual when used as slang. It’s often used as a way to say any of the synonyms of eat, including ‘chow down,’ ‘grub,’ ‘pig out,’ and more.
Бухать – To drink
If you’re not in the mood for food and would prefer some drinks, you can use this Russian slang word. It’s similar to the Russian slang for drunk but tends to be used beforehand as a precursor for what’s to come.
Бухой/Бухая — Drunk
If you or your friend have had too much to drink after partying, you could use this Russian slang to describe them. Simply put, it means ‘drunk.’
Тусить — To hang out
If you’re in the mood to hang out with some friends or party, this Russian slang word is for you. In fact, when it comes to slang for a Russian, this is one of the most commonly used words. It means ‘to hang out’ or ‘party.’
Хрен знает — Who knows?
Sometimes, we don’t have all the answers to all the questions, and that’s okay. When you’re faced with a question that seems a bit rhetorical or simply can’t be bothered to answer it, you can reply with this Russian slang phrase. Its literal definition is ‘horseradish knows,’ but it’s used as a way to say, ‘Who knows?’ However, it can also be considered a Russian swear word, as it’s closer to the English equivalent of ‘Who the hell knows?’ or ‘Damned if I know.’
Мне до лампочки — I don’t care
When you want to express to someone that you don’t care, you can say Мне до лампочки. While the literal translation is, ‘to me to lightbulb,’ which doesn’t seem to make much sense, commonly used as slang for a Russian native.
Зачет — Noted
Alternatively, if you’re in a conversation and someone says something—either an opinion or a joke—you can reply with this Russian slang. It basically means ‘noted’ and is used to confirm that you’ve heard and accepted what someone had to say.
Бабки — Money
Although this Russian slang’s literal meaning is ‘grandmas,’ it’s often used as a way to describe money. There are a few theories on why this slang originated, but when used in the right context, you’ll definitely impress a few natives. However, keep in mind that it’s also commonly used amongst criminals, so be careful who you say it to!
Чёрт — Shoot!
You can use this slang for Russian disappointment when you want to express your frustration at something. It literally translates to ‘devil,’ but it’s used as a way to say ‘shoot’ or ‘damn.’
Блин — Damn it/Shit
If you’re looking for something a little more vulgar, this Russian slang is for you. It’s a way to express your surprise or annoyance and can be used to say, ‘damn it’ or ‘shit.’
Сука — Bitch
Another Russian slang or Russian swear word is сука, which means ‘bitch.’ It’s considered offensive slang for Russian, so be careful when you use it.
Грузить — To bore with too much talking
Have you ever been in a conversation that doesn’t seem to end? Maybe someone keeps going on about a topic that you really aren’t interested in… This slang for Russian natives is meant to be used in these situations, as it means ‘to bore with too much talking.’ It’s kind of like when you’re at a party, and someone is telling you a never-ending story that leaves you feeling a bit drained and ready to go.
Лох — Gullible/Idiot
This Russian slang is a bit offensive, so be careful when you use it. It translates to ‘gullible’ or ‘idiot’ and is used as a derogatory term to describe someone naïve.
Достал/Досталa — To be annoyed
Alternatively, you could use this Russian slang for a similar situation as above. Its literal translation means ‘reached over and got,’ but it’s used as a way to say something is ‘annoying’ or ‘annoyed.’
Бычить — To be angry
If you’re feeling frustrated or angry with a friend, you can use this Russian slang word. It literally translates to ‘to be like a bull,’ but is usually used amongst friends who might be in a bit of a fight or aren’t speaking to each other.
Кайфонуть – To have a pleasant pastime
If you’ve had a good time with someone or at an event, you can use this Russian slang word. It basically means that you had a nice time or that you enjoyed yourself in a certain situation.
Америкос — American
Finally, we end our list of slang for a Russian with an interesting word— Америкос. This is used as a way to say someone is an ‘American,’ but it’s not necessarily a good thing. It’s often used with a negative connotation and dates back to times when Americans and Russians were fighting against each other in Kosovo.
Slang for a Russian is fun and natural, and you’ll find it commonly used among friends and family. To help you connect with native speakers and practice your Russian slang, download Tandem today. With millions of members worldwide, you can match with a Russian speaker regardless of where you are. Having real-world conversations with like-minded individuals will help you build your skills, from basic Russian pronunciation to Russian slang and more. Who knows, you might even make some lifelong friends along the way! All you need to do is create a profile, match with a native speaker of your target language, and start communicating. Sign up for Tandem today to join our community and improve your fluency.
