хомяк
khomyak
The Russian word for hamster is хомяк (khomyak).
хомяк refers to the rodent species belonging to the Cricetinae. Related to this noun is the colloquial verb хомячить, which means to hoard or stash resources or to eat greedily, mimicking the way a hamster stores food.
Meaning: rodent species belonging to the Cricetinae (noun)
Which one should you use?
The diminutive form хомячок is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, хомяк changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. Use хомяка in the genitive case, for example, to show possession or when used after нет (there is no). Use хомяку in the dative case, such as when you are giving something to the hamster.
How do you pronounce it?
khomyak
Did you know?
- In Russian internet slang, the word хомяк is often used to describe an inexperienced investor who follows the crowd and buys assets at a peak.
- In certain Russian contexts, calling someone a хомяк can be a mild insult suggesting they are timid, overly cautious or easily led.
- The historical root of хомяк stems from the Proto-Slavic word *xoměstorъ, which likely describes the animal through its physical characteristics.
Examples in context
- У Тома есть хомяк.Tom has a hamster.This sentence shows how to state that someone possesses a хомяк.Tatoeba #10767780 by Ooneykcall, translation #10767770 by CK
- У меня есть хомяк.I have a hamster.This sentence is used to express personal possession of a хомяк.Tatoeba #13968819 by marafon, translation #13968817 by rul
- У хомяка набиты щёки.The hamster has stuffed cheeks.This sentence uses the genitive form хомяка to describe the hamster's cheeks.Tatoeba #5282609 by Wezel, translation #2872314 by patgfisher
- В нашей зоологической части много разных животных, например, хомяки.In our zoo section, there are many different animals, such as hamsters.
- Мой маленький хомячок очень любит кушать семечки.My little hamster loves to eat sunflower seeds.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a pet shop, Alexander and Maria look at a cage.
- Александр AleksandrСмотри, какой милый хомяк!Smotri, kakoy milyy khomyak!Look, what a cute hamster!
- Мария MariaДа, этот хомяк очень симпатичный.Da, etot khomyak ochen' simpatichnyy.Yes, this hamster is very cute.
- Александр AleksandrМария, мы можем его купить?Mariya, my mozhem yego kupit'?Maria, can we buy him?
- Мария MariaДавай подумаем об этом дома.Davay podumayem ob etom doma.Let's think about it at home.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries хомяк, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
