КГБ
KGB[ˌka ɡɛ ˈbɛ]masculine
КГБ is the Russian name for the Committee for State Security of the Soviet Union (KGB).
Meaning: Committee for State Security of the Soviet Union (name)
Which one should you use?
Кагэбэ is a common abbreviation derived from KGB used in informal settings. For the most formal or official contexts, the full name Комитет государственной безопасности is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
КГБ is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
KGB
Did you know?
- In colloquial Russian, the acronym КГБ is often used as a verb, кгбшить, to describe the act of spying on someone or using surveillance tactics.
- In Soviet-era literature and cinema, characters often avoided saying КГБ aloud, instead using euphemisms like organy meaning 'the organs'.
- The Russian language uses the term чекист to refer to members of КГБ or its predecessors, derived from the 'Cheka', the first Soviet secret police.
Examples in context
- Порой бабушка опасней КГБ.Sometimes, Grandma is more dangerous than the KGB.This sentence uses КГБ to compare a person to the agency.Tatoeba #522979 by FeuDRenais, translation #522978 by FeuDRenais
- Я думаю, здесь был замешан КГБ.I think the KGB was implicated.This sentence uses КГБ to suggest the agency's involvement in an event.Tatoeba #3097964 by Selena777, translation #1894163 by Spamster
- Эта улица названа в честь ЧК, предшественницы КГБ.This street is named after the Cheka, the forerunner of the KGB.This sentence uses КГБ to identify a predecessor of the agency.Tatoeba #8790905 by sharptoothed, translation #8777270 by AlanF_US
- Моего дедушку неожиданно вызвали в КГБ.My grandfather was unexpectedly summoned to the KGB.
- Люди часто используют слово 'Кэ-Гэ-Бэ', когда говорят о советской разведке.People often use the word 'Ke-Ge-Be' when talking about Soviet intelligence.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olga and Alexander are discussing an old family photo.
- Ольга OlgaМой дедушка работал в КГБ.Moy dedushka rabotal v KGB.My grandfather worked for the KGB.
- Александр AleksandrПравда? Он рассказывал об этом?Pravda? On rasskazyval ob etom?Really? Did he talk about it?
- Ольга OlgaНет, он почти никогда не упоминал КГБ.Net, on pochti nikogda ne upominyal KGB.No, he almost never mentioned the KGB.
- Александр AleksandrЭто было обычное дело в те времена.Eto bylo obychnoye delo v te vremena.That was common back then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kgb” translations and entries КГБ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
