животные
zhivotnye
The English phrase "animals" is translated into Russian as животные (zhivotnye).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single animal, use the singular form животное. When you need to express possession or quantity, such as saying "many animals", you should use the genitive case form животных.
How do you pronounce it?
zhivotnye
Did you know?
- The word for 'stomach' or 'belly' is живот, which shares the same root as животные. This reflects an ancient belief that the center of life resides in the gut.
- In certain folk contexts, the word for 'animal' is replaced by the word зверь to refer to wild or predatory animals, which carries a much more intense, primal connotation.
- If you use the word животные to describe people in a metaphorical sense, like 'animals' in English, it can sound much more dehumanizing in Russian than it does in English.
Examples in context
- Львы – это животные.Lions are animals.This sentence uses животные to identify lions as animals.Tatoeba #5601799 by marafon, translation #3289180 by pne
- У Вас есть животные?Do you have any animals?This sentence uses животные to ask if someone possesses any animals.Tatoeba #6002532 by nina99nv, translation #69616 by Miktsoanit
- Люди – это животные.Humans are animals.This sentence uses животные to state that humans are animals.Tatoeba #6589912 by marafon, translation #6587552 by mailohilohi
- 228 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey and Olga are talking about a trip to the zoo.
- Сергей SergeyТебе нравятся дикие животные?Tebe nravyatsya dikiye zhivotnye?Do you like wild animals?
- Ольга OlgaДа, я очень люблю животных.Da, ya ochen lyublyu zhivotnykh.Yes, I love animals very much.
- Сергей SergeyПойдём посмотрим на них завтра.Poydyom posmotrim na nikh zavtra.Let's go see them tomorrow.
- Ольга OlgaОтличная идея, Сергей!Otlichnaya ideya, Sergey!Great idea, Sergey!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
