бегемо́т
begemótmasculine
The English word 'hippopotamus' is translated into Russian as бегемо́т (begemót). Wiktionary also lists гиппопота́м (gippopotám).
Meaning: African mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| бегемо́т | begemót | masculine |
| гиппопота́м | gippopotám | masculine |
The phrase refers to the African mammal.
Which one should you use?
бегемо́т is the standard, everyday word used in conversation and general literature. In contrast, гиппопота́м is a more formal, scientific term often used in biological contexts or academic texts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both бегемо́т and гиппопота́м are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
begemót
Did you know?
- The word бегемо́т is derived from the Hebrew word 'behemoth', referring to a primordial chaos monster in the Book of Job.
- If you call a person a бегемо́т in a joking way, you are commenting on their large size or weight. It is a common, though potentially blunt, way to describe someone as 'large as a hippopotamus'.
- In Russian children's stories and cartoons, the бегемо́т is often portrayed as a clumsy, gentle, or slow-witted character.
Example sentences for Russian are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Maria and Alexander are looking at animals in a picture book.
- Мария MariaАлександр, посмотри на этого бегемо́та!Aleksándr, posmotrí na étogo begemóta!Alexander, look at this hippopotamus!
- Александр AleksandrОго, какой он огромный!Ogo, kakóy on ogrómnyy!Wow, he is huge!
- Мария MariaБегемо́т любит воду.Begemót lyúbit vódu.The hippopotamus loves water.
- Александр AleksandrДа, он почти всегда в ней.Da, on pochtí vsegdá v ney.Yes, he is almost always in it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hippopotamus” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
