евре́йский
jevréjskij
The English word "jewish" can be translated into Russian as евре́йский (jevréjskij). If unsure, use евре́йский. Wiktionary also lists иуде́йский (iudéjskij) and жидо́вский (židóvskij).
Meaning: of or relating to a Jew or Jews, their ethnicity, religion or culture (adj)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| евре́йский | jevréjskij | |
| иуде́йский | iudéjskij | |
| жидо́вский | židóvskij | historical, offensive |
The adjective is used to describe anything relating to Jews, including their ethnicity, religion or culture.
Which one should you use?
The term евре́йский is the standard word used when referring to Jewish ethnicity, culture or people.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While the noun еврей can be used to mean "Jewish person" in a formal context, the adjective жидо́вский is an offensive and derogatory term and should be avoided.
How do you pronounce it?
jevréjskij
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using жидо́вский, as it is an offensive and derogatory term.
Did you know?
- The word евре́й (Jew) is derived from the Hebrew word 'ivri', meaning 'someone from across the river'. This differs from the Latin root used in English, which comes from the city of Judea.
- Russian speakers often use the phrase евре́йский юмор (Jewish humor) to describe a specific style of self-deprecating or intellectual wit, even if the person they are describing is not ethnically Jewish.
- The derogatory term жидо́вский shares a root with the word жид, which was once a neutral term in several Slavic languages but became a powerful slur in Russian over centuries.
Examples in context
- Он изучает еврейскую культуру.He studies Jewish culture.
- Она родилась в еврейской семье.She was born into a Jewish family.
- Мой друг – известный еврей.My friend is a famous Jewish person.
- Мы пригласили еврея на нашу свадьбу.We invited a Jewish person to our wedding.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jewish” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
