божья коровка
bozh'ya korovka
The English phrase "ladybug" is божья коровка (bozh'ya korovka) in Russian.
The term refers to a small, round beetle characterized by a red back and black spots.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "God's little cow".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the phrase is божьи коровки. When using the genitive case, such as after the preposition без (without), the phrase changes to божьей коровки.
How do you pronounce it?
bozh'ya korovka
When do people say it?
The phrase is the subject of a well-known Russian nursery rhyme or folk song used when interacting with the insect.
Did you know?
- In some Russian folklore traditions, the appearance of a божья коровка is seen as a sign of impending good luck or a blessing from God.
- In many Slavic languages, the ladybug is seen as a sacred or blessed messenger because of its connection to the divine.
- The Russian name shares a similar conceptual structure with the Dutch term lieveheersbeestje, which also references the 'Lord' or 'God'.
Examples in context
- По моим рукам ползала божья коровка.A ladybug was crawling along my arm.This sentence describes a ladybug crawling on an arm using божья коровка.Tatoeba #8986071 by ZegPhig, translation #10693027 by AlanF_US
- Мне на кончик пальца села ярко-красная божья коровка.A bright red ladybug landed on my fingertip.This sentence describes a bright red ladybug landing on a fingertip using божья коровка.Tatoeba #5255008 by Wezel, translation #638265 by darinmex
- Божья коровка, полети на небо, принеси нам хлеба, чёрного и белого, только не горелого.Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home. Your house is on fire and your children are gone.This sentence provides the lyrics for a traditional rhyme using божья коровка.Tatoeba #11865914 by marafon, translation #11865904 by shekitten
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Sergey are walking in a summer garden.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСмотри, Сергей, тут сидит маленькая божья коровка!Smotri, Sergey, tut sidit malen'kaya bozh'ya korovka!Look, Sergey, there is a little ladybug here!
- Сергей SergeyОна такая красивая и красная.Ona takaya krasivaya i krasnaya.It is so beautiful and red.
- Екатерина EkaterinaГоворят, что божья коровка приносит удачу.Govoryat, chto bozh'ya korovka prinosit udachu.They say that a ladybug brings good luck.
- Сергей SergeyТогда нам сегодня очень повезло!Togda nam segodnya ochen' povezlo!Then we are very lucky today!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries божья коровка, коровка, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
