медвежо́нок
medvežónokmasculine
The English phrase "bear cub" is медвежо́нок (medvežónok) in Russian.
медвежо́нок is a noun used to refer to a young bear.
Meaning: young bear (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed by adding the diminutive suffix –онок to the root медведя (bear), which is a common way in Russian to denote a young animal of a specific species.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word follows standard masculine declension. The genitive singular form is медвежонка, and the accusative case is also медвежонка. When referring to multiple bear cubs, use the plural form медведята, which utilizes the collective diminutive suffix –ята.
How do you pronounce it?
medvežónok
Did you know?
- The root of медвежо́нок likely comes from the words for 'honey' мёд and 'eating' едя, effectively naming the animal 'the honey-eater'.
- Russian speakers may use медвежо́нок to refer to a stuffed toy bear, though the more common word for a teddy bear is мишка, which is a diminutive of the name 'Mikhail'.
- The word медвежо́нок can be used metaphorically to describe a chubby, clumsy, or cute child, similar to how English uses 'teddy bear'.
Example sentences for Russian are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Andrey and Maria are at the zoo.
- Андрей AndreyМария, смотри! Там медвежо́нок.Mariya, smotri! Tam medvezhonok.Maria, look! There is a bear cub.
- Мария MariaОй, какой он пушистый!Oy, kakoy on pushistyy!Oh, how fluffy he is!
- Андрей AndreyОн очень забавно бегает.On ochen zabavno begaet.He runs very funnily.
- Мария MariaДа, он просто чудо.Da, on prosto chudo.Yes, he is just a wonder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bear cub” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
