Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| блин | blin | [blʲin] (narrow) | |
| чёрт побери́ | čort poberí | ||
| прокля́тие | prokljátije | neuter |
Russian speakers use various words to express frustration, surprise or contempt. The colloquial interjection блин is a very common way to say 'damn' or 'darn' in casual conversation. For a more dramatic sense of frustration, you can use чёрт побери́, which carries the weight of 'Devil take it!' If you are looking for a noun meaning 'a curse' or 'damnation', use прокля́тие. Additionally, the adjective чёртов can act as a generic intensifier, similar to saying 'damn [noun]' in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The colloquialism блин literally means 'pancake'.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ significantly in tone and function. блин is a mild, common colloquialism similar to 'darn' or 'shoot'. In contrast, чёрт побери́ is more dramatic and expresses a stronger sense of frustration. While блин is an interjection for casual speech, прокля́тие is a formal noun meaning 'a curse' or 'damnation'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
блин is a colloquial interjection suitable for casual conversation. чёрт побери́ and прокля́тие are informal expressions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
прокля́тие is a neuter noun. The words проклина́ть, прокля́сть and клясть are verbs meaning 'to condemn' in a theological sense. The related adjectives прокля́тый, про́клятый and чёртов can be used to describe something as cursed or to intensify a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
blin
Did you know?
- The common interjection блин is a euphemism used to avoid saying the vulgar word блядь, which refers to a 'whore'.
- The phrase чёрт побери́ can be translated literally as 'the devil beat it'.
- The verbs проклина́ть and прокля́сть carry a heavy theological weight and are used for actual spiritual damnation rather than mere frustration.
Examples in context
- Блин, а чем тебя тогда в звонок заманить?Damn, then what am I supposed to use to get you into the call?This example shows how to use блин to express frustration in a question.Tatoeba #13216198 by EugeneGS, translation #13216199 by EugeneGS
- Блин, а интересно посмотреть, какой я без волос.Damn, I wonder what I look like without hair.This example demonstrates using блин to express surprise or curiosity.Tatoeba #13199403 by EugeneGS, translation #13214474 by EugeneGS
- Чувак, я только что видел это в новостях! Блин, ты заставляешь меня не верить собственным глазам!Man, I just saw it on the news! Damn, you're making me doubt my own eyes!This example shows блин being used to react to surprising news.Tatoeba #4888089 by maks, translation #675181 by saeb
- Чёртовски неприятно потерять ключи!Damn unpleasant to lose the keys!
- Проклятье! Забыл передать важный документ!Damn! I forgot to submit an important document!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Dmitry are standing in the rain without an umbrella.
- Анастасия AnastasiaБлин, мы забыли зонт в машине!Blin, my zabyli zont v mashine!Damn, we left the umbrella in the car!
- Дмитрий DmitryДа уж, теперь мы промокнем до нитки.Da uzh, teper' my promoknem do nitki.Yeah, now we're going to get soaked to the bone.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДмитрий, скорее бежим под навес!Dmitriy, skoreye bezhim pod naves!Dmitry, let's run under the awning quickly!
- Дмитрий DmitryБегу, Анастасия, только не поскользнись.Begu, Anastasiya, tol'ko ne poskol'znis'.I'm coming, Anastasia, just don't slip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “damn” translations and entries блин, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries блин, чёрт, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
