осёл
osjól[ɐˈsʲɵɫ]masculine
The English word donkey is осёл (osjól) in Russian. Wiktionary also lists осли́ца (oslíca) and иша́к (išák).
Meaning: a domestic animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| осёл | osjól | [ɐˈsʲɵɫ] (narrow) | masculine |
| осли́ца | oslíca | feminine | |
| иша́к | išák | masculine |
The term refers to the domestic animal, also known as an ass.
Which one should you use?
The masculine form осёл is used as the general term for the species or to refer to a male donkey. If you are referring specifically to a female donkey, use the feminine form осли́ца.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the genitive case, such as to express 'of a donkey' (for example, 'the tail of a donkey'), the word осёл changes to осла.
How do you pronounce it?
osjól
Did you know?
- In Russian, calling someone an осёл is a common insult used to describe a person who is stubbornly foolish or slow to understand.
- The term иша́к is believed to be borrowed from the Turkic word eşşek, reflecting the historical influence of Central Asian cultures on Russian livestock terminology.
- The word осёл is a direct descendant of the Proto-Slavic word *osьlъ, meaning its roots in the language are thousands of years old.
Examples in context
- У меня есть осёл.I have a donkey.This sentence is useful for showing how to say you own a donkey using осёл.Tatoeba #8102197 by marafon, translation #7538261 by CK
- Это мул, а не осёл.That's a mule, not a donkey.This sentence is useful for distinguishing between a mule and a donkey using осёл.Tatoeba #11574227 by marafon, translation #11695673 by ddnktr
- Это не осёл, а зебра.It's not a donkey, it's a zebra.This sentence is useful for clarifying that an animal is a zebra rather than a donkey using осёл.Tatoeba #12007243 by marafon, translation #12007918 by LdjuherTaqvaylit
- Мы видели осла на ферме.We saw a donkey on the farm.
- Зоолог объяснял, что осёл является одним из самых умных животных.The zoologist explained that a donkey is one of the smartest animals.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are visiting a small farm.
- Ольга OlgaСмотри, какой милый осёл!Smotri, kakoy milyy osyol!Look, what a cute donkey!
- Сергей SergeyДа, этот осёл выглядит очень спокойным.Da, etot osyol vyglyadit ochen' spokoynym.Yes, this donkey looks very calm.
- Ольга OlgaСергей, хочешь его погладить?Sergey, khochesh' yego pogladit'?Sergey, do you want to pet him?
- Сергей SergeyНет, я боюсь, что он укусит.Net, ya boyus', chto on ukusit.No, I'm afraid he might bite.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “donkey” translations and entries осёл, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries осёл, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
