Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| грудь | grudʹ | [ɡrutʲ] (narrow) | feminine |
| гру́ди | grúdi | feminine, plural | |
| си́ськи | sísʹki | feminine, mildly, plural, vulgar | |
| пе́рси | pérsi | dated, feminine, plural, poetic | |
| до́йки | dójki | feminine, plural, slang | |
| ти́тьки | títʹki | childish, feminine, plural, slang | |
| буфера́ | buferá | masculine, plural, slang |
The term грудь refers to the milk-producing organ, but it can also be used more broadly to mean the human chest in an anatomical sense.
Which one should you use?
The singular feminine form грудь is the standard term. Plural forms include the standard гру́ди, the dated and poetic пе́рси, the childish or crude slang ти́тьки and the colloquial си́ськи. There is also the slang term до́йки and the masculine slang term буфера́.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Грудь is the formal and standard word, suitable for medical contexts or formal discussions. Пе́рси is a dated, poetic term used in literature rather than everyday speech. Си́ськи is a colloquial and slightly vulgar term for breasts. Ти́тьки is a lowbrow slang term used to refer to breasts in a playful or flippant manner and is a colloquial, somewhat childish or crude term, while до́йки and буфера́ are slang.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase to mean 'to breastfeed', the word грудь takes the instrumental case ending –ю in the phrase 'кормить грудью' (to breastfeed).
How do you pronounce it?
grudʹ
Did you know?
- The slang term буфера́ is derived from the word for 'bumper' on a car. It is used to describe breasts as shock absorbers.
- The term до́йки comes from the verb доить, which means 'to milk'. This makes the slang term specifically associate the breast with a cow.
- The term грудь is used in the Russian phrase 'биться грудью', which means to beat one's chest in a gesture of repentance or passion.
Examples in context
- Мы кормим детей грудью.We are breast-feeding our babies.This sentence shows the use of грудь in the context of breastfeeding.Tatoeba #8604816 by marafon, translation #1700565 by Amastan
- Я кормлю ребёнка грудью.I'm breast-feeding my baby.This sentence illustrates the instrumental case form of грудь.Tatoeba #7017829 by marafon, translation #320948 by CM
- Мэри кормит ребёнка грудью.Mary is breast-feeding her baby.This sentence provides another example of using грудь for breastfeeding.Tatoeba #5022182 by marafon, translation #1662209 by Amastan
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Dmitry are discussing breastfeeding with a doctor.
- Анастасия AnastasiaУ меня болит грудь после кормления.U menya bolit grud' posle kormleniya.My breast hurts after feeding.
- Дмитрий DmitryТебе стоит показать это врачу, Анастасия.Tebe stoit pokazat' eto vrachu, Anastasiya.You should show it to a doctor, Anastasia.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЯ думаю, это просто из-за лактации.Ya dumayu, eto prosto iz-za laktatsii.I think it's just because of lactation.
- Дмитрий DmitryДавай сходим в клинику завтра.Davay skhodim v kliniku zavtra.Let's go to the clinic tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “breast” translations and entries грудь, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
