бомж
bomž[bomʂ]
The Russian word for the English 'bum' is бомж (bomž).
бомж is a widely used slang term for a homeless person.
Meaning: informal: butt(ocks) specifically (noun)
Which one should you use?
If you need to be more precise or respectful, there are different terms to use. Бездомный is a neutral and widely acceptable term for a person who is homeless. The word Беспризорник refers specifically to a homeless child or teenager.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bomž
Did you know?
- The term бомж is not actually a word but a truncated acronym for 'a person without a defined place of residence'.
- While English speakers use 'bum' to mean a person or a body part, in Russian, these two concepts are entirely unrelated. Calling someone a бомж will never imply they have a large posterior.
- The word бомж became widely popularized in the late Soviet era as official language was used to categorize displaced people.
Examples in context
- Я никчёмный бомж.I'm a good-for-nothing bum.This sentence uses бомж to describe oneself as a good-for-nothing.Tatoeba #12965686 by marafon, translation #433739 by CK
- Из прили́чной семьи́, а хо́дит бомжо́м!He’s from a decent family, but dresses like a bum!This sentence uses бомж in a way that describes someone's appearance.
- Он – бомж.He's a bum.This sentence uses бомж to identify someone's status.Tatoeba #1280372 by Ann74, translation #8475996 by CH
- В Москве всегда много бомжей у станций метро.There are always many homeless people near subway stations in Moscow.
Example conversation
Alexander and Anastasia are arguing about their financial situation.
- Александр AleksandrМы скоро станем как один бомж!My skoro stanem kak odin bomzh!We'll soon be like a bum!
- Анастасия AnastasiaНе говори так, у нас есть работа.Ne govori tak, u nas yest' rabota.Don't say that, we have jobs.
- Александр AleksandrНо я чувствую себя как бомж.No ya chuvstvuyu sebya kak bomzh.But I feel like a bum.
- Анастасия AnastasiaТы просто слишком много переживаешь, Саша.Ty prosto slishkom mnogo perezhivayesh, Sasha.You're just worrying too much, Sasha.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry бомж, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries бомж, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
