Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| гори́ си́ним пла́менем! | gorí sínim plámenem! | singular |
| горе́ть си́ним пла́менем | gorétʹ sínim plámenem |
гори́ си́ним пла́менем! is used to express that one wants to be rid of something or that something should be completely forgotten or destroyed out of frustration. While the English 'damn it' is often a general exclamation of frustration, this Russian phrase specifically carries the connotation of wishing something would disappear or be destroyed, metaphorically 'burning'. Other informal ways to express frustration or annoyance include черт возьми! (devil take it!) and черт побери! (the devil be damned!).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase гори́ си́ним пла́менем literally means 'burn with a blue flame'.
Which one should you use?
гори́ си́ним пла́менем! is a singular form used as an exclamation, whereas горе́ть си́ним пла́менем is the infinitive form.
How do you pronounce it?
gorí sínim plámenem!
Did you know?
- If you use the phrase гори́ си́ним пла́менем! toward a person, it is an extremely aggressive insult rather than just a cry of frustration.
- Russian has a vast category of 'mat' or swear words that are far more vulgar than черт возьми!, which is considered socially acceptable in most casual settings.
- The phrase горе́ть си́ним пла́менем can also describe a project or a plan that has failed spectacularly, shifting the meaning from 'damn it' to 'it has gone up in smoke'.
Example sentences for Russian are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “damn it” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
