Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| подле́ц | podléc | masculine |
| негодя́й | negodjáj | masculine |
| гни́да | gnída | feminine |
| муда́к | mudák | masculine |
| деби́л | debíl | masculine |
These terms are all used to describe an unlikable person. Жлоб is used for someone who behaves rudely or shows a lack of manners, depicting a person who is vulgar or ill-mannered, while Придурок is a direct translation of jerk and is used when referring to someone in an offensive manner.
Which one should you use?
подле́ц is more literary and describes someone who has committed a morally low act, whereas муда́к is more common in aggressive street slang. негодя́й can be used to describe a person of bad character in a slightly more formal or classic sense than modern slang. To express jerk in a much harsher manner, you can use сволочь. The term гни́да is a highly insulting slang term, literally meaning 'louse' or 'parasite', used to describe a contemptible person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Придурок and Жлоб are informal. муда́к is a vulgar slang term for a jerk or an asshole, and гни́да is a highly insulting slang term.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
негодя́й is a masculine noun. подле́ц, муда́к and деби́л are also masculine. гни́да is a feminine noun, though it can be used for any person regardless of gender in a derogatory sense.
How do you pronounce it?
podléc
Did you know?
- Using the word негодя́й can make you sound like a character from a 19-century Russian classic novel rather than a modern speaker.
- The word деби́л is not just a way to call someone a jerk, but is a direct and highly offensive attack on their actual cognitive abilities.
- While 'jerk' often describes behavior, the Russian term подле́ц implies a person's very essence or fundamental lack of honor.
Example sentences for Russian are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Sergey and Ekaterina are discussing a dishonest colleague.
- Сергей SergeyТы видела, что он сделал?Ty videla, chto on sdelal?Did you see what he did?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, он просто подле́ц.Da, on prosto podlets.Yes, he is just a jerk.
- Сергей SergeyЯ больше не буду ему доверять.Ya bol'she ne budu emu doveryat'.I will not trust him anymore.
- Екатерина EkaterinaИ я тоже, Сергей.I ya tozhe, Sergey.Me neither, Sergey.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jerk” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
