де́мон
démonmasculine
The Russian phrase for demon is де́мон (démon). Wiktionary also lists бес (bes) and чёрт (čort).
Meaning: evil being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| де́мон | démon | masculine | |
| бес | bes | [bʲes] (narrow) | masculine |
| чёрт | čort | [t͡ɕɵrt] (narrow) | masculine |
| шайта́н | šajtán | Muslim, masculine |
All these terms refer to an evil being or a demon.
Which one should you use?
While де́мон is a standard term, бес and чёрт are also used to describe such beings. чёрт is the most common colloquial term for a demon or devil and is frequently used in common idioms. шайта́н specifically refers to a shaitan or demon within Muslim-majority contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
шайта́н is used specifically within Muslim-majority regions or contexts in Russia.
How does it change in a sentence?
All the provided forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
démon
When do people say it?
In colloquial Russian, чёрт is frequently used in the common exclamation чёрт возьми! to express frustration, meaning 'damn it' or 'devil take it!'
Did you know?
- The word чёрт also refers to a 'devil' in the sense of a mischievous person or a rascal, often used affectionately when describing a clever child.
- While де́мон is a loanword from Greek, the terms бес and чёрт are indigenous Slavic words with deeper roots in local folk belief.
- In Russian folklore, бес are often depicted as tricksters who lead people astray through temptation and confusion rather than just through brute evil.
Examples in context
- Я слышал историю о демоне, который посещает этот старый дом каждую ночь.I heard a story about a demon that visits this old house every night.
- Он ловко избежал бесовской ловушки.He skillfully evaded the demon's trap.
- Что там было? Чёрт его знает!What happened there? The devil knows!
- Этот де́мон напугал ребёнка.Etot demon napugal rebyonka.This demon frightened the child.
- В старой книге описан злой де́мон.V staroy knige opisán zloy démon.An evil demon is described in the old book.
- Он верит, что де́мон живёт в лесу.On verit, chto démon zhivyot v lesu.He believes that a demon lives in the forest.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a fantasy novel at a cafe.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТы читал про этого де́мона?Ty chital pro etogo démona?Did you read about this demon?
- Александр AleksandrДа, он очень сильный и страшный.Da, on ochen' sil'nyy i strashnyy.Yes, he is very strong and scary.
- Екатерина EkaterinaАлександр, ты веришь в таких существ?Aleksandr, ty verish' v takikh sushchestv?Alexander, do you believe in such creatures?
- Александр AleksandrТолько в книгах, Екатерина.Tol'ko v knigakh, Ekaterina.Only in books, Ekaterina.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “demon” translations and entries бес, чёрт, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
