козя́вка
kozjávkafeminine
In Russian, the English word booger is translated as козя́вка (kozjávka). Wiktionary also lists козю́ля (kozjúlja).
Meaning: a piece of solid or semi-solid mucus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| козя́вка | kozjávka | feminine |
| козю́ля | kozjúlja | feminine |
The term is primarily used to describe a piece of solid or semi-solid mucus. In a different context, козя́вка can also be used as a diminutive, slightly derogatory term for a small insect or a small, insignificant person.
Which one should you use?
козя́вка is the most common way to refer to a booger in a casual or childish context, while козю́ля is a slightly more slangy or more childish variation of the same concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both козя́вка and козю́ля are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
kozjávka
Did you know?
- Because козя́вка is a feminine noun, any adjectives used to describe a person with this label must also be in the feminine gender, regardless of the person's actual sex.
- The word козя́вка shares its root with the word for a 'small beetle' or 'bug', which is why it can describe both a booger and an insect.
- In Russian, calling a person a козя́вка is not an insult about hygiene, but rather a way to call them tiny or insignificant. It is often used by adults toward children in a teasing or mildly condescending way.
Examples in context
- Дети, поднимайтесь сюда и вытирайте сопли.Children, come here and wipe your boogers.
- Пациент жалуется на проблемы с высохшей слизью носа.The patient complains about issues with dried nasal mucus.
- У него на носу видна козя́вка.U nego na nosu vidna kozyavka.A booger is visible on his nose.
- Маленькая козя́вка застряла в носу.Malen'kaya kozyavka zastryala v nosu.A tiny booger is stuck in the nose.
- Эта козя́вка слишком сухая.Eta kozyavka slishkom sukhaya.This booger is too dry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “booger” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
