ко́микс
kómiksmasculine
In Russian, the word for cartoon is ко́микс (kómiks). Wiktionary also lists карикату́ра (karikatúra) and шарж (šarž).
Meaning: humorous drawing or strip (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ко́микс | kómiks | masculine | |
| карикату́ра | karikatúra | feminine | |
| шарж | šarž | [ʂarʂ] (narrow) | masculine |
If you are referring to printed humorous drawings, you may use ко́микс, карикату́ра or шарж. If you are referring to animated films, you would use terms like мультфильм or мультипликация. In the context of animation, characters are often referred to as герои (heroes) and one might discuss любимые мультфильмы (favorite cartoons).
Which one should you use?
Use ко́микс for a multi-panel narrative or a comic book. Use карикату́ра when referring to a single-panel drawing that exaggerates a person's features for satirical effect.
How do you pronounce it?
kómiks
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the words for printed cartoons (ко́микс, карикату́ра) when they actually mean an animated movie (мультфильм).
Did you know?
- In Russian, the characters of an animated movie are called герои, which translates literally as 'heroes' regardless of whether they are protagonists or villains.
- The term шарж comes from the French word 'charge', which refers to the way an artist 'charges' or exaggerates a person's features.
- While ко́микс is used for comic books, Russian has a long tradition of карикату́ра appearing in newspapers to criticize government officials.
Examples in context
- Я люблю мультипликацию.I love cartoons.
- Дети смотрят анимационные фильмы.Children watch animated movies.
- Давай посмотрим мультфильм.Let's watch a cartoon.
- Я рассказал им о русских мультфильмах.I told them about Russian cartoons.
- У меня много любимых мультфильмов.I have many favorite cartoons.
- Этот ко́микс очень смешной.Etot komiks ochen' smeshnoý.This comic is very funny.
- Я читаю новый ко́микс.Ya chitayu novyy komiks.I am reading a new comic.
- Где я могу купить этот ко́микс?Gde ya mogu kupit' etot komiks?Where can I buy this comic?
Example conversation
Alexander and Anastasia are talking at a cafe.
- Александр AleksandrАнастасия, ты видела этот ко́микс?Anastasiya, ty videla etot komiks?Anastasia, have you seen this comic?
- Анастасия AnastasiaНет, Александр, а о чём он?Net, Aleksandr, a o chyom on?No, Alexander, what is it about?
- Александр AleksandrЭто очень весёлый ко́микс про приключения.Eto ochen' vesyolyy komiks pro priklyucheniya.It is a very funny adventure comic.
- Анастасия AnastasiaТогда я обязательно его почитаю.Togda ya obyazatel'no yego pochitayu.Then I will definitely read it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cartoon” translations and entries шарж, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries шарж, CC BY-SA 4.0.
