плохие слова
plokhie slova
The Russian phrase for "bad words" is плохие слова (plokhie slova).
плохие слова is a literal way to say "bad words." However, if you are referring specifically to obscene language or profanity (often called "mat"), the more common term used by speakers is матерные слова.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective плохие (bad, plural) and the noun слова (words, plural).
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of this phrase is плохое слово.
How do you pronounce it?
plokhie slova
Did you know?
- In Russian culture, there is a distinction between 'bad words' that are merely rude and мат, which is considered a separate, more powerful linguistic category. Using мат in public can lead to legal fines for 'petty hooliganism' in many contexts.
- The versatility of мат allows a single root word to be transformed into hundreds of different meanings through prefixes and suffixes.
- Russian profanity is so complex that linguists treat мат as its own distinct linguistic system with its own grammar and rules, rather than just a collection of 'bad words'.
Examples in context
- Дети, не говорите плохие слова.Deti, ne govorite plokhie slova.Children, do not say bad words.
- Он часто использует плохие слова.On chasto ispol'zuyet plokhie slova.He often uses bad words.
- Я не люблю эти плохие слова.Ya ne lyublyu eti plokhie slova.I do not like these bad words.
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are discussing their child's behavior.
- Александр AleksandrНаш сын сказал плохие слова.Nash syn skazal plokhie slova.Our son said bad words.
- Ольга OlgaГде он их услышал?Gde on ikh uslyshal?Where did he hear them?
- Александр AleksandrНаверное, в школе или во дворе.Navernoe, v shkole ili vo dvore.Probably at school or in the yard.
- Ольга OlgaНам нужно с ним поговорить.Nam nuzhno s nim pogovorit.We need to talk to him.
