У меня есть парень
The English phrase 'I have a boyfriend' is translated into Russian as У меня есть парень.
While the word парень can mean 'guy' or 'young man' in a general sense, when used in the construction У меня есть…, it specifically implies a boyfriend.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'At me there is a boyfriend' because Russian uses the preposition у (at/by) and the genitive case to express possession.
Did you know?
- In Russian, the word есть means 'to be' or 'to exist' in this phrase, but it is also the exact same word for 'to eat'.
- The word парень can be used ironically to describe an older man who is acting childishly or trying too hard to look young.
- The word парень can also be used as an exclamation to get a stranger's attention, similar to saying 'Hey, guy!' or 'Young man!'
Examples in context
- У меня есть парень.I have a boyfriend.Tatoeba #5656680 by Selena777, translation #3947203 by Balamax
- Кстати, у меня есть парень.By the way, I have a boyfriend.Tatoeba #7074209 by marafon, translation #7067597 by Hybrid
- "У меня есть парень". – "Давно?""I have a boyfriend." "Since when?"Tatoeba #12462231 by marafon, translation #3014106 by Hybrid
- У меня, к сожалению, уже есть парень.Unfortunately, I already have a boyfriend.
- Спасибо за комплимент, но у меня уже есть парень.Thank you for the compliment, but I already have a boyfriend.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey is trying to flirt with Olga at a party.
- Андрей AndreyОльга, ты очень красивая. Пойдем погуляем?Olga, ty ochen krasivaya. Poydem pogulyat?Olga, you are very beautiful. Shall we go for a walk?
- Ольга OlgaПрости, но у меня есть парень.Prosti, no u menya yest paren.Sorry, but I have a boyfriend.
- Андрей AndreyОй, извини. Я не знал.Oy, izvini. Ya ne znal.Oh, sorry. I didn't know.
- Ольга OlgaНичего страшного, всё в порядке.Nichego strashnogo, vsyo v poryadke.No worries, everything is fine.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
