большие яйца
bol'shie yaytsa
The English phrase "big balls" is translated into Russian as большие яйца (bol'shie yaytsa).
In colloquial Russian, большие яйца is used metaphorically to describe a person who is brave, courageous or possesses a strong personality.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "big eggs".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is a vulgar slang expression used to describe someone's bravery or audacity.
How do you pronounce it?
bol'shie yaytsa
Did you know?
- The adjective большие can be replaced by стальные meaning 'steel' to create стальные яйца, which implies a level of courage that is unshakable and cold.
- In Russian folklore and idiomatic speech, the concept of 'bravery' is often linked to 'heart' (сердце) or 'liver' (печень), making the 'egg' metaphor a more modern, street-level influence.
- The word яйца is the plural of яйцо, a word that shares a deep linguistic root with the English word 'egg'.
Examples in context
- Макс сегодня сделал самый рискованный трюк на скейтборде – у него просто огромные яйки!Max pulled off the riskiest skateboard trick today – he simply has huge balls!
- У Виталия в жизни всегда получается – у него действительно большие яйца!Vitaliy always succeeds in life – he really has big balls!
- У него большие яйца, раз он так сказал.U nego bol'shiye yaytsa, raz on tak skazal.He has big balls for saying that.
- Чтобы так рискнуть, нужны большие яйца.Chtoby tak risknut', nuzhny bol'shiye yaytsa.You need big balls to take such a risk.
- Это поступок человека, у которого большие яйца.Eto postupok cheloveka, u kotorogo bol'shiye yaytsa.That is the act of a man with big balls.
Example conversation
Sergey and Anastasia are discussing a colleague's risky business decision.
- Сергей SergeyТы видел, что сделал Иван?Ty videl, chto sdelal Ivan?Did you see what Ivan did?
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, у него действительно большие яйца.Da, u nego deystvitel'no bol'shiye yaytsa.Yes, he really has big balls.
- Сергей SergeyОн не боится потерять всё.On ne boyitsya poteryat' vsyo.He is not afraid of losing everything.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЭто очень смелый мужчина.Eto ochen' smelyy muzhchina.He is a very brave man.
