ка́рма
kármafeminine
The Russian word for karma is ка́рма (kárma).
ка́рма refers to the total effect of a person’s actions and conduct during the successive phases of his existence.
Meaning: the total effect of a person’s actions and conduct during the successive phases of his existence (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form ка́рма can change depending on its role in a sentence. The genitive singular form is кармы (of karma) and the accusative singular form is карму (karma).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kárma.
Did you know?
- In modern Russian slang, the word карма is often used in the phrase плюсик в карму, which means 'a plus in your karma'. It is used as a casual way to thank someone for a small, selfless act.
- In a sarcastic context, a Russian might say карма догнала, meaning 'karma caught up'. This is used when someone who has been mean to others finally experiences a misfortune.
- Although the word comes from Sanskrit, it entered the Russian language through a mixture of academic translations and Western cultural influence during the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Examples in context
- Плохая ка́рма может испортить жизнь.Plokhaya karma mozhet isporit' zhizn'.Bad karma can ruin one's life.
- Я верю, что у каждого есть ка́рма.Ya veryu, chto u kazhdogo yest' karma.I believe that everyone has karma.
- Его ка́рма была очень светлой.Yego karma byla ochen' svetloy.His karma was very bright.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Sergey are discussing a coworker's misfortune.
- Анастасия AnastasiaОн поступил очень плохо с коллегами.On postupil ochen' plokho s kollegami.He treated his colleagues very badly.
- Сергей SergeyТеперь он сам оказался в беде.Teper' on sam okazalsya v bede.Now he is in trouble himself.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПохоже, его ка́рма наконец сработала.Pokhozhe, yego karma nakonets srabotala.It looks like his karma finally kicked in.
- Сергей SergeyДа, справедливость восторжествовала.Da, spravedlivost' vostorzhestvovala.Yes, justice has prevailed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “karma” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
