я гей
ya gey[ja ˈɣɛj]word by word
The English phrase "I am gay" is translated into Russian as я гей (ya gey).
This phrase is used by a person to identify as homosexual.
Which one should you use?
Other phrases exist depending on the level of formality or the specific nuance you wish to convey. For example, you might say Я не гетеро to mean "I am not straight."
How do you pronounce it?
ya gey
Did you know?
- In Russian, the phrase я гей does not change its form regardless of the speaker's gender, as гей is a masculine noun used as a category.
- The word гей is a relatively recent addition to the Russian language, with its first recorded use appearing only in 1993.
- Russian does not have a single, widely accepted equivalent for the English 'queer' that carries the same mix of reclaimed pride and umbrella terminology.
Examples in context
- Я гей.I am gay.This sentence demonstrates the basic statement of identity using я гей.Tatoeba #3002634 by marafon, translation #1764716 by shekitten
- «Эй, что происходит?» «Я гей!» «Правда?» «Нет, Майкл, глупая ты задница!»"Hey, what's going on?" "I am gay!" "Really?" "No, Michael, you dense ass!"This example shows the phrase я гей used in a conversational context.Tatoeba #3083514 by Ooneykcall, translation #3083512 by Ooneykcall
- Ну и что, что я гей? Разве это преступление?So what if I am gay? Is it a crime?This example uses я гей to pose a rhetorical question regarding the legality of one's identity.Tatoeba #530090 by akrav, translation #2107 by hoangngocson
- Я гомосексуалист, и я горжусь своей идентичностью.I am a homosexual, and I am proud of my identity.
- Я гей, и я счастлив быть собой.I am gay, and I am happy to be myself.
Example conversation
Sergey is coming out to his friend Ekaterina at a cafe.
- Сергей SergeyЕкатерина, я должен тебе кое-что сказать.Ekaterina, ya dolzhen tebe koye-chto skazat'.Ekaterina, I have to tell you something.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЧто случилось, Сергей?Chto sluchilos', Sergey?What happened, Sergey?
- Сергей SergeyЯ гей.Ya gey.I am gay.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСпасибо, что доверился мне.Spasibo, chto doverilsya mne.Thank you for trusting me.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (я, гей) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries гей, я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
