ребята
rebyata
The English phrase 'guys' can be translated into Russian as ребята (rebyata).
ребята is a common, gender-neutral way to address a group of people. Much like the English 'guys', it can be used when speaking to a group of men, a group of women or a mixed-gender group.
Which one should you use?
While ребята is used for any group of people, the term Парни is specifically used to address a group of males.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ребята is an informal term. You should use it with friends, peers or people you know well, rather than in formal business settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
ребята is a plural noun functioning in the nominative plural form. It changes depending on its role in a sentence: use the dative form ребятам when the word acts as an indirect object, such as in 'Give it to the guys' and use the genitive form ребят in cases like 'There are no guys here'.
How do you pronounce it?
rebyata
Did you know?
- Even though ребята is used to address a group, it is actually the plural form of the word ребёнок, which means 'child'.
- Addressing a group of elderly people as ребята is often viewed as rude or patronizing.
- Unlike the English slang 'guy' used as a singular pronoun, ребята can never refer to a single person.
Examples in context
- Вы, ребята, в порядке?Are you guys OK?This example shows how to use ребята when asking if a group is okay.Tatoeba #3400452 by odexed, translation #3355618 by CK
- Нахуй так жить, ребята?What's the fucking point of living like this, guys?This example uses ребята in a sentence containing profanity.Tatoeba #2900307 by Ooneykcall, translation #2900308 by Ooneykcall
- Что вы, ребята, хотите?What do you guys want?This example shows how to use ребята when asking a group what they want.Tatoeba #3802292 by odexed, translation #2954131 by CK
- Ребята, давайте соберемся за столом и обсудим наши планы.Guys, let's gather around the table and discuss our plans.
- Парни, кто готов сыграть в футбол в выходные?Guys, who's up for a game of football this weekend?
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olga and Alexander are meeting some friends at a cafe.
- Ольга OlgaПривет, ребята!Privet, rebyata!Hi, guys!
- Александр AleksandrПривет, Ольга. Как дела?Privet, Olga. Kak dela?Hi, Olga. How are things?
- Ольга OlgaВсё отлично, спасибо.Vsyo otlichno, spasibo.Everything is great, thanks.
- Александр AleksandrРад это слышать.Rad eto slyshat'.Glad to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ребята, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
