Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| голова́ | golová | feminine |
| глава́ | glavá | archaic, feminine, poetic |
| башка́ | bašká | derogatory, feminine, informal |
Related adjectives include головно́й, which describes things relating to the head (such as a headache) and встре́чный, which can mean coming from in front.
Which one should you use?
голова́ is the standard, common noun used in most situations. In contrast, башка́ is a derogatory or vulgar slang term for head. глава́ is an archaic or poetic form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
голова́ is the standard and formal way to refer to the head. башка́ is informal and considered derogatory, while глава́ is reserved for poetic or archaic contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession or a relationship to the head, such as 'pain of the head', use the genitive singular form головы́. To express 'with heads' or 'by means of heads', use the instrumental plural form голова́ми.
How do you pronounce it?
golová
Did you know?
- In Russian, the word глава́ is not just an old-fashioned way to say 'head', it is the standard word used to refer to the 'chapter' of a book.
- To 'lose one's head' in Russian, потерять голову, often specifically refers to falling suddenly and uncontrollably in love rather than just panicking.
- In Russian, the phrase повесить голову literally means 'to hang the head' and is the standard way to describe feeling despondent or defeated.
Examples in context
- Она украшает свою голову цветами.She decorates her head with flowers.
- Он лысый на темени.He is bald on the crown of his head.
- У нее на темени редкие волосы.She has sparse hair on her crown.
- Он ударился лбом об стену.He hit his head against the wall.
- У нее шрам на лбу.She has a scar on her forehead.
- У меня болит голова́.U menya bolit golova.I have a headache.
Example conversation
Olga and Alexander are talking in the kitchen about health.
- Ольга OlgaАлександр, ты выглядишь бледным.Aleksandr, ty vyglyadish' blednym.Alexander, you look pale.
- Александр AleksandrДа, у меня очень сильно болит голова́.Da, u menya ochen' sil'no bolit golova.Yes, my head hurts very much.
- Ольга OlgaМожет быть, тебе стоит полежать?Mozhet byt', tebe stoit polezhat'?Maybe you should lie down?
- Александр AleksandrДа, это была бы хорошая идея.Da, eto byla by khoroshaya ideya.Yes, that would be a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “head” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
