бегемот
The Russian word for hippo is бегемот.
бегемот is the common word used to refer to a hippo.
Which one should you use?
While бегемот is the common word for hippo, the more scientific term is гиппопотам.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of бегемот is бегемоты. In the genitive case, such as when saying 'of the hippo', the word changes to бегемота.
Did you know?
- The word бегемот is actually the name of a mythological monster from the Bible. It comes from the Hebrew word for 'beast' and was used to describe a colossal, unstoppable creature.
- In Russian children's literature and animation, бегемот is often portrayed as a slow and clumsy character. This stereotype is a common trope in Soviet-era cartoons.
- Because бегемот is the everyday word, using the scientific гиппопотам in a casual conversation can sound intentionally overly formal or like a joke.
Examples in context
- Счастливый бегемот плавает в озере.A happy hippo is swimming in the lake.Tatoeba #11504897 by carlosalberto, translation #11504847 by carlosalberto
- Этот бегемот очень большой.Etot begemot ochen' bol'shoy.This hippo is very big.
- Бегемот ест зелёную траву.Begemot yest zelyonuyu travu.The hippo eats green grass.
Example conversation
At a zoo in front of an enclosure.
- Мария MariaСмотри, какой милый бегемот!Smotri, kakoy milyy begemot!Look, what a cute hippo!
- Сергей SergeyДа, он кажется очень спокойным.Da, on kazhetsya ochen' spokoynym.Yes, he seems very calm.
- Мария MariaСергей, ты хочешь сфотографировать его?Sergey, ty khochesh' sfotografirovat' yego?Sergey, do you want to photograph him?
- Сергей SergeyДа, сейчас я сделаю фото.Da, seychas ya sdelayu foto.Yes, I will take a photo now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries бегемот, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
