Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ребёнок | rebjónok | [rʲɪˈbʲɵnək] (narrow) [rɨˈbʲonak] (narrow) |
masculine |
| него́дник | negódnik | masculine | |
| него́дница | negódnica | feminine | |
| парши́вец | paršívec | masculine | |
| парши́вка | paršívka | feminine | |
| сопля́к | soplják | masculine | |
| сопля́чка | sopljáčka | feminine | |
| молокосо́с | molokosós | masculine | |
| молокосо́ска | molokosóska | feminine | |
| мальчи́шка | malʹčíška | masculine | |
| девчо́нка | devčónka | feminine | |
| отро́дье | otródʹje | neuter |
While ребёнок is the neutral word for 'child', you can specifically express the idea of a 'spoiled brat' by using the adjective избалованный (spoiled) with ребёнок to form избалованный ребёнок. Other terms range from mild descriptions of a rascal to harsh insults for someone perceived as inexperienced or annoying.
What does it mean word for word?
The term сопля́к literally means 'snot-nosed one' and is used to describe a brat or an insignificant young person. The term молокосо́с literally means 'milk-sucker' and is used to insult a young, inexperienced or annoying person.
Which one should you use?
ребёнок is a neutral noun for 'child'. него́дник is a milder, somewhat old-fashioned way to call a child a rascal or a 'bad egg'. In contrast, парши́вец is more derogatory, implying the person is a scoundrel or a lowlife. Finally, сопля́к and молокосо́с are informal terms used to mock someone's youth or lack of experience.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the derogatory term парши́вец is парши́вка. Similarly, the informal 'snot-nosed one' is сопля́к (masculine) and сопля́чка (feminine), while the 'milk-sucker' is молокосо́с (masculine) and молокосо́ска (feminine).
How do you pronounce it?
rebjónok
Did you know?
- The standard Russian word for 'child', ребёнок, shares an ancient root with the word for 'slave'. It is believed that this connection stems from the historical status of orphans, who often performed heavy labor in households.
- Calling a child парши́вка or парши́вец evokes the image of a 'mangy' animal, linking the brat's personality to a diseased animal.
- The word отро́дье for a brat or offspring is often used to imply the child is a curse or a source of shame for the parents.
Examples in context
- У Тома ребёнок испорченный ублюдок.Tom's kid is a spoiled brat.This sentence uses ребёнок to describe a spoiled person.Tatoeba #8035426 by Smoky, translation #8035050 by CK
- Ты ведёшь себя как избалованный ребёнок.You're acting like a spoiled brat.This sentence uses ребёнок to describe someone acting spoiled.Tatoeba #10152445 by marafon, translation #5374264 by Hybrid
- Мой брат – маленький избалованный плохо воспитанный ребёнок!My brother is a spoiled little brat!This sentence uses ребёнок to describe a spoiled little child.Tatoeba #13106565 by marafon, translation #3217389 by Tabasco1999
- Мой брат работает в Москве.My brother works in Moscow.
- Привет, братишка!Hello, bro!
- Уважаемый товарищ, я хотел бы представить вам нашего нового брата.Respected comrade, I would like to introduce our new brother to you.
- Этот парень – мой лучший братан.This guy is my best buddy.
- У нас с ним уже много лет дружбы, он мой самый верный браток.We have been friends for many years, he is my most loyal buddy.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Olga are discussing their nephew's behavior at a party.
- Дмитрий DmitryОн опять всё разбил. Какой же он ребёнок!On opyat' vsyo razbil. Kakoy zhe on rebyonok!He broke everything again. What a brat he is!
- Ольга OlgaОн просто очень избалован.On prosto ochen' izbalovan.He is just very spoiled.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭтот ребёнок совсем не слушается взрослых.Etot rebyonok sovsem ne slushayetsya vzroslykh.This brat doesn't listen to adults at all.
- Ольга OlgaНам нужно поговорить с его родителями.Nam nuzhno pogovorit' s ego roditelyami.We need to talk to his parents.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brat” translations and entries ребёнок, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ребёнок, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
