жира́ф
žiráfmasculine
The English word giraffe is translated into Russian as жира́ф (žiráf). Wiktionary also lists жира́фа (žiráfa) and гира́ф (giráf).
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| жира́ф | žiráf | masculine |
| жира́фа | žiráfa | feminine, obsolete |
| гира́ф | giráf | masculine, obsolete |
The word refers to the mammal. In playful or affectionate contexts, you can also use the diminutive form Жирафик.
Which one should you use?
The standard masculine form is жира́ф. While жира́фа is listed as an obsolete feminine form, it is actually the standard genitive singular form of the masculine noun жира́ф in modern Russian. The form гира́ф is an obsolete masculine form.
How does it change in a sentence?
In modern Russian, жира́фа is used as the standard genitive singular form of the masculine noun жира́ф (for example, to say 'there is no giraffe').
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is žiráf.
Did you know?
- The word жира́ф is a loanword that entered Russian through European languages, which is why it does not follow traditional Slavic root patterns.
- In Russian children's culture, the most famous giraffe is Жираф from the Soviet cartoon 'The Giraffe and the Gazelle', where he is depicted as a sophisticated and romantic character.
- When Russian speakers describe the pattern on a жира́ф, they use the word пятна ('spots'), which is the same word used for leopard spots or ink blots.
Examples in context
- Этот жира́ф очень высокий.Etot zhiraf ochen' vysokiy.This giraffe is very tall.
- Жира́ф ест листья с дерева.Zhiraf est' list'ya s dereva.The giraffe is eating leaves from a tree.
- В зоопарке живёт жира́ф.V zooparke zhivyot zhiraf.A giraffe lives in the zoo.
Example conversation
Two people are walking through a zoo.
- Андрей AndreyСмотри, вон там жира́ф!Smotri, von tam zhiraf!Look, there is a giraffe over there!
- Екатерина EkaterinaОй, какой он красивый!Oy, kakoy on krasivyy!Oh, how beautiful he is!
- Андрей AndreyЭтот жира́ф кажется очень спокойным.Etot zhiraf kazetsya ochen' spokoynym.This giraffe seems very calm.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, Андрей, он очень милый.Da, Andrey, on ochen' milyy.Yes, Andrey, he is very cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “giraffe” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
