ребёнок
rebjónok[rʲɪˈbʲɵnək]masculine
The Russian word for kid is ребёнок (rebjónok). Wiktionary also lists па́рень (párenʹ) and девчо́нка (devčónka).
Meaning: child (colloq.) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ребёнок | rebjónok | [rʲɪˈbʲɵnək] (narrow) [rɨˈbʲonak] (narrow) |
masculine |
| па́рень | párenʹ | masculine | |
| девчо́нка | devčónka | feminine |
Ребёнок is the most general term for a kid in Russian and can be used for a child of any age.
Which one should you use?
While ребёнок is gender-neutral, девчо́нка is a colloquial term specifically for a young girl or female kid. In contrast, па́рень is often used to refer to a young man or a kid in the sense of a teenage boy or young adult.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ребёнок changes to ребёнка in the genitive case, for example, when saying 'of a child' or 'no child'.
How do you pronounce it?
rebjónok
Did you know?
- The word ребёнок is a diminutive of an ancient term for 'slave' робъ, likely because orphans performed hard labor in old households.
- While па́рень is used to mean a 'kid' or 'young man' today, it is also the standard Russian word for 'boyfriend'. Using it in the wrong context might lead someone to think you are talking about their romantic partner rather than just a young guy.
- In Russian, the word ребёнок is grammatically masculine, even when you are using it to refer to a girl.
Examples in context
- Я уже не ребёнок.I'm not a kid anymore.This sentence uses ребёнок to express that someone is no longer a child.Tatoeba #1776029 by marafon, translation #2547174 by CK
- В душе я ребёнок.I'm a kid at heart.This sentence uses ребёнок to describe being a kid at heart.Tatoeba #11834725 by Wezel, translation #9188755 by CM
- Он уже не ребёнок.He's not a kid anymore.This sentence uses ребёнок to state that a male is no longer a child.Tatoeba #2737718 by marafon, translation #10139687 by ddnktr
- Какой умный ребёнок!What a smart kid!
- Добро пожаловать, малышWelcome, kid
- Пусть ребёнок играетLet the kid play
- Как дела, малыш?How are you doing, kiddo?
- 154 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey and Olga are talking about a neighbor's child.
- Андрей AndreyТы видела этого ребёнка?Ty videla etogo rebyonka?Did you see that kid?
- Ольга OlgaДа, он очень активный.Da, on ochen' aktivnyy.Yes, he is very active.
- Андрей AndreyМой ребёнок тоже так играет.Moy rebyonok tozhe tak igrayet.My kid plays like that too.
- Ольга OlgaДети всегда такие энергичные.Deti vsegda takiye energichnyye.Kids are always so energetic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kid” translations and entries ребёнок, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ребёнок, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
