How to Say "Cow" in Russian - How To Say Guide

коро́ва

koróvafeminine

The Russian word for cow is коро́ва (koróva).

The term refers to the adult female of the species Bos taurus.

Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)

Which one should you use?

While коро́ва is the standard term, коровка is an informal version and Буренка is a colloquial term used in certain regions.

Буренка is a colloquial term used in some regions.

коро́ва is a feminine noun.

koróva

The word коро́ва shares an ancient root with words for 'horn' in several other Indo-European languages. This highlights how early humans identified the animal primarily by its most prominent physical feature.
To describe someone as корова in a social context is a harsh insult, implying the person is clumsy, oversized or lacks grace. This usage is far more aggressive than calling someone a 'cow' in English.
The diminutive form коровка is so common in Russian culture that it is often used as a term of endearment for people or even as a nickname in songs, rather than just a smaller cow.

Мне нужно купить одну корову для нашей фермы.
I need to buy one cow for our farm.
У нас есть маленькая коровка на заднем дворе.
We have a small cow in our backyard.
Эта коро́ва даёт много молока.
Eta korova dayot mnogo moloka.
This cow gives a lot of milk.
Коро́ва мирно пасётся на лугу.
Korova mirno pasyotsya na lugu.
The cow is peacefully grazing in the meadow.

Sergey and Olga are walking near a farm.

Сергей Sergey

Смотри, какая большая коро́ва!
Smotri, kakaya bol'shaya korova!
Look, what a big cow!
Ольга Olga

Да, она очень красивая.
Da, ona ochen' krasivaya.
Yes, she is very beautiful.
Сергей Sergey

Ольга, она ест траву?
Ol'ga, ona yest travu?
Olga, is she eating grass?
Ольга Olga

Да, Сергей, она просто обедает.
Da, Sergey, ona prosto obedayet.
Yes, Sergey, she is just having lunch.

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