Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| злой | zloj | [zɫoj] (narrow) |
| серди́тый | serdítyj | |
| разгне́ванный | razgnévannyj | |
| гне́вный | gnévnyj | |
| рассе́рженный | rasséržennyj |
The word злой can mean being angry, but depending on the context, it frequently means 'evil' or 'wicked'. To express that you are angry at or with someone, use the construction злой на followed by the noun in the accusative case.
Which one should you use?
The different forms of the word carry different nuances of intensity and duration. Сердитый describes a temporary state of being annoyed or cross. In contrast, злой often implies a more permanent character trait or a deeper malice. For a much stronger and more formal expression of being truly enraged, often seen in literature, use разгневанный. Other forms include разгневанный, гне́вный and рассе́рженный.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, злой changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes: the feminine form is злая, the neuter form is злое and the plural form is злые.
How do you pronounce it?
zloj
Did you know?
- The word злой is cognate with the English word 'yellow' through the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰwel-, which originally referred to a pale or sallow color associated with illness or decay.
- The word сердитый is related to the Russian word сердце, meaning 'heart', as anger was historically viewed as a heat or pressure emanating from the heart.
- The word злой is often used to describe something 'fierce' or 'powerful' rather than just angry, such as a 'strong' wind or a 'potent' drink.
Examples in context
- Это был злой заяц.It was an angry hare.This sentence uses злой to describe an angry hare.Tatoeba #3290333 by Selena777, translation #8753159 by deniko
- Том пьяный и злой.Tom is drunk and angry.This sentence uses злой to describe someone who is both drunk and angry.Tatoeba #13292733 by marafon, translation #8367187 by CK
- Это был злой кролик.That was an angry bunny.This sentence uses злой to describe an angry bunny.Tatoeba #5422 by papersaltserver, translation #511153 by FeuDRenais
- Мои родители были очень сердиты на меня из-за плохих оценок.My parents were very angry with me because of my bad grades.
- Когда она узнала о его предательстве, она стала злющей.When she found out about his betrayal, she became extremely angry.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey and Ekaterina are discussing a difficult boss at work.
- Сергей SergeyНаш начальник сегодня очень злой.Nash nachal'nik segodnya ochen' zloy.Our boss is very angry today.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПочему он такой злой?Pochemu on takoy zloy?Why is he so angry?
- Сергей SergeyМы опоздали с отчётом.My opozdali s otchyotom.We were late with the report.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТеперь нам не избежать его гнева.Teper' nam ne izbezhit' yego gneva.Now we cannot avoid his wrath.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “angry” translations and entries злой, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries злой, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
