девочка
devochka
The English phrase "baby girl" is translated into Russian as девочка (devochka).
девочка is used to refer to a female child.
Which one should you use?
While девочка means 'girl', the word малышка is often used specifically for a very young baby girl to emphasize her smallness or cuteness.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of девочка is девочки, which translates to "girls" or "baby girls".
How do you pronounce it?
devochka
Did you know?
- In many Russian folk songs and nursery rhymes, a baby girl is often referred to as ласточка, which literally means 'swallow' (the bird).
- The word малышка is often used as a term of endearment for a partner, much like 'baby' or 'babe' in English.
- While девочка is a standard word, using it for an adult woman can be a subtle way to patronize or diminish her status.
Examples in context
- Том услышал, что у Мэри только-только родилась девочка.Tom heard Mary just had a baby girl.This sentence shows how to use девочка when mentioning a newborn.Tatoeba #4864528 by venticello, translation #1093547 by CK
- На прошлой неделе у неё родилась красивая девочка.Last week she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.This sentence uses девочка to describe a beautiful baby girl born recently.Tatoeba #739194 by jonnywalker, translation #707121 by papabear
- У неё родилась маленькая девочка.U neyo rodilas' mal'enkaya devochka.She had a little baby girl.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Anastasia are talking about a friend's new baby.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы слышала новости про Светлану?Ty slyshala novosti pro Svetlanu?Did you hear the news about Svetlana?
- Анастасия AnastasiaНет, а что случилось?Net, a chto sluchilos'?No, what happened?
- Дмитрий DmitryУ неё родилась девочка!U neyo rodilas' devochka!She had a baby girl!
- Анастасия AnastasiaО, это замечательно!O, eto zamechatel'no!Oh, that's wonderful!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
