матерное слово
maternoe slovo
The Russian phrase for "a bad word" is матерное слово (maternoe slovo).
In Russian, матерное слово refers specifically to a single swear word or an instance of profanity, rather than a general 'bad word' in the sense of a word with a negative connotation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the adjective матерное, which means "profane" or "obscene" and the noun слово, meaning "word". The adjective матерное is derived from the noun мат, which refers specifically to obscene, profane language.
Which one should you use?
Avoid using плохое слово to mean a swear word. While плохое слово literally means "a bad word", it is not used to mean 'a swear word'. It would sound like a word that is linguistically incorrect or poorly chosen.
How do you pronounce it?
maternoe slovo
Did you know?
- The root of the term for swearing, мат, is historically linked to the word for 'mother', as many of the most offensive Russian profanities revolve around maternal insults.
- Using матерное слово in public spaces, films, or media in Russia can lead to legal fines or censorship, as it is treated as a legal violation of public order.
- Some linguists argue that мат was once a secret language used by soldiers or specific social castes to communicate without being understood by the general public.
Examples in context
- Это было очень грубое матерное слово.Eto bylo ochen' gruboe maternoe slovo.That was a very rude bad word.
- Он случайно произнёс матерное слово.On sluchayno proiznes maternoe slovo.He accidentally said a bad word.
- Не используй это матерное слово в школе.Ne ispol'zuy eto maternoe slovo v shkole.Don't use that bad word at school.
Example conversation
Olga and Andrey are discussing a movie they just watched.
- Ольга OlgaАндрей, в этом фильме было много матерных слов.Andrey, v etom filme bylo mnogo maternykh slov.Andrey, there were many bad words in this movie.
- Андрей AndreyДа, я заметил, что он использовал матерное слово.Da, ya zametil, chto on ispol'zoval maternoe slovo.Yes, I noticed that he used a bad word.
- Ольга OlgaЭто было слишком неприятно для меня.Eto bylo slishkom nepriyatno dlya menya.It was too unpleasant for me.
- Андрей AndreyСогласен, я не люблю такое кино.Soglasen, ya ne lyublyu takoe kino.I agree, I don't like that kind of movie.
