кринж
krinž[krʲinʂ]
The English phrase 'cringe' can be translated into Russian as кринж (krinž). Wiktionary also lists кукож (kukož).
Meaning: secondhand embarrassment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| кринж | krinž | [krʲinʂ] (narrow) |
| кукож | kukož | [kʊˈkoʂ] (narrow) |
In Russian, кринж is most commonly used as an uncountable noun to describe a situation or content that causes secondhand embarrassment.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word кринж is a loanword from English and is used primarily in internet slang and among younger generations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of experiencing cringe, you can use the slang verb кринжевать. The adjective form used to describe something as 'cringe' is кринжовый.
How do you pronounce it?
krinž
Did you know?
- In some Russian online communities, кукож is used ironically to mock people who find the English loanword кринж too basic or common.
- The root of the slang term кукож is the verb кукожиться, which describes the physical act of cowering or shrinking one's body as if being squeezed.
- Using кринж can signal a specific social identity, as it marks the speaker as part of the 'digital native' generation rather than just someone who knows the word.
Examples in context
- Кринж это свобода.Cringe is freedom.This sentence illustrates a philosophical take on the concept of cringe.Tatoeba #13319149 by EugeneGS, translation #13316595 by rul
- Ты сейчас запостил кринж.You just posted cringe.This sentence shows how to use the noun to describe a piece of content.Tatoeba #12316727 by Ooneykcall, translation #11615753 by hecko2
- Быть кринжовым значит быть свободным.To be cringe is to be free.This sentence uses the adjective form to describe a person's state of being.Tatoeba #13319148 by EugeneGS, translation #13319133 by rul
- Этот видеоролик заставил его скривиться со стыда.This video made him cringe with embarrassment.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey and Anastasia are watching a video on a phone.
- Андрей AndreyБоже, какой же это кринж!Bozhe, kakoy zhe eto krinzh!My God, this is such cringe!
- Анастасия AnastasiaСогласна, мне даже смотреть неприятно.Soglasna, mne dazhe smotret' nepriyatno.I agree, it's even unpleasant to watch.
- Андрей AndreyЗачем он это выложил?Zachem on eto vylozhil?Why did he post this?
- Анастасия AnastasiaНаверное, ради внимания.Navernoe, radi vnimaniia.Probably for attention.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cringe” translations and entries кринж, кукож, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
