How to Say “Born” in Russian: Formal and Informal Ways

Learning how to say “born” in Russian is an essential step in expanding your language skills. Whether you want to talk about your own birth or ask someone about their birthplace, understanding formal and informal ways to express this idea is crucial. In this guide, we will explore various ways to say “born” in Russian, including tips, examples, and even a few regional variations. Let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Say “Born” in Russian:

When it comes to formal situations, such as formal conversations, interviews, or presentations, it is important to use proper and polished language. Here are the formal ways to express “born” in Russian:

1. Родиться (Rodit’sya): This is the most common and standard way to say “born” in Russian. It is used when talking about the act of being born. For example:

Я родился в Москве. (Ya rodit’sya v Moskve.)
(I was born in Moscow.)

Он родился в 1990 году. (On rodit’sya v 1990 godu.)
(He was born in 1990.)

Быть рожденным (Byt’ rozhdyonnym): This is a more formal way to express “born” in Russian. It is commonly used in official documents or legal contexts. For example:

Мой отец был рожден в Санкт-Петербурге. (Moy otets byl rozhdyon v Sankt-Peterburge.)
(My father was born in St. Petersburg.)

Она была рождена в другой стране. (Ona byla rozhdyena v drugoy strane.)
(She was born in another country.)

Появиться на свет (Poyavit’sya na svet): This expression can be translated as “to come into the world” and is often used in more formal or poetic contexts. While it does not directly translate to “born,” it is an alternative way to convey the same idea. For example:

Он появился на свет в глухой деревушке. (On poyavit’sya na svet v glukhoy derevushke.)
(He came into the world in a remote village.)

Машины, телевизоры и компьютеры – все это появилось на свет благодаря техническому прогрессу. (Mashiny, televizory i kompyutery – vse eto poyavilos’ na svet blagodarya tekhnicheskomu progressu.)
(Cars, televisions, and computers – all of this came into the world thanks to technological progress.)

Informal Ways to Say “Born” in Russian:

Informal language allows for a more relaxed and casual tone. When conversing with friends, family, or peers, you can use these informal ways to say “born” in Russian:

1. Родиться (Rodit’sya): Just like in formal situations, “родиться” is also commonly used in informal speech. This versatility makes it a great choice in both contexts. For example:

Я родился в Москве. (Ya rodit’sya v Moskve.)
(I was born in Moscow.)

Мой брат родился в прошлом году. (Moy brat rodit’sya v proshlom godu.)
(My brother was born last year.)

Родился-родилась (Rodilsya-rodilas’): This informal variation adds the appropriate ending to match the gender of the person or subject being born. For example:

Он родился, когда во Франции шел дождь. (On rodilsya, kogda vo Frantsii shel dozhd’)
(He was born when it was raining in France.)

Моя сестра родилась веселой и жизнерадостной. (Moya sestra rodilas’ veseloy i zhizneradostnoy.)
(My sister was born cheerful and full of life.)

Tips for Using “Born” in Russian:

1. Pay attention to gender: In Russian, verbs and adjectives change depending on the gender. When talking about someone’s birth, make sure to select the appropriate gender form if necessary.

2. Be mindful of word order: In Russian, word order plays a significant role in conveying meaning. Make sure to properly place the verb “родиться” in your sentence to create clear and unambiguous statements.

3. Practice pronunciation: Pronunciation is key when learning a new language. Pay attention to the stressed syllables and try to imitate native Russian speakers for a more authentic sound.