Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ребёнок | rebjónok | [rʲɪˈbʲɵnək] (narrow) [rɨˈbʲonak] (narrow) |
masculine |
| дитя́ | ditjá | neuter | |
| ча́до | čádo | archaic, humorous, neuter |
The term is used to refer to a son, a daughter or someone's offspring.
Which one should you use?
While ребёнок is the standard and neutral way to say child, дитя́ is a poetic or highly literary term often found in religious contexts, literature or songs. In contrast, ча́до is an archaic term used today primarily for humorous, ironic or highly stylized effects.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ребёнок is the standard, neutral word used in everyday speech. For an informal and affectionate way to refer to a small child, you can use the diminutive ребёночек. To emphasize that a child is very young or small, the informal term малыш is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ребёнок is дети. When you need to express possession, such as 'the child's toy', the form changes to ребёнка.
How do you pronounce it?
rebjónok
Did you know?
- The word ребёнок is etymologically linked to the Old East Slavic word for 'slave'. This likely happened because orphans were often forced to do the hardest labor in a household.
- The term ребёнок is gender-neutral in its meaning, but unlike English, it can take masculine adjectives in certain grammatical contexts even when referring to a girl.
- While ребёнок is the common word, the form дитя́ is used in the famous Russian phrase дитя перестройки, which refers to a generation born during the political upheavals of the 1980s.
Examples in context
- Я уже не ребёнок.I am no longer a child.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is no longer a child using ребёнок.Tatoeba #1776029 by marafon, translation #255774 by CK
- Он уже не ребёнок.He is no longer a child.This sentence is useful for expressing that a male is no longer a child using ребёнок.Tatoeba #2737718 by marafon, translation #373279 by kotobaboke
- У них был ребёнок.They had a child.This sentence is useful for stating that a group of people had a child using ребёнок.Tatoeba #3800530 by odexed, translation #2717727 by WestofEden
- У этого ребёнка очень яркие глаза.This child has very bright eyes.
- Мой сосед привёл своего ребёнка на детский праздник.My neighbor brought his child to the children's party.
- Ой, какой милый ребёночек!Oh, what a cute little child!
- Малыш уже начал говорить свои первые слова.The child has already started saying their first words.
- 524 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey and Olga are talking about their family plans.
- Сергей SergeyТы хочешь, чтобы у нас был ребёнок?Ty khochesh', chtoby u nas byl rebyonok?Do you want us to have a child?
- Ольга OlgaДа, я очень хочу стать мамой.Da, ya ochen' khochu stat' mamoy.Yes, I really want to become a mother.
- Сергей SergeyЯ тоже. Это будет здорово.Ya tozhe. Eto budet zdorovo.Me too. That would be great.
- Ольга OlgaНаш ребёнок будет очень счастливым.Nash rebyonok budet ochen' schastlivym.Our child will be very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “child” 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.
