нога́
nogáfeminine
The Russian word for leg is нога́ (nogá).
The word нога́ is used to refer to both the entire leg and the foot.
Meaning: lower limb from groin to ankle (noun)
Which one should you use?
While нога́ is the standard term, ножка is used when referring to a leg in a casual or affectionate context or for an animal's leg or a piece of furniture like a table leg. For animals specifically, the word лапа is used to refer to an animal's limb and can be used informally to describe a person's leg in a joking or lighthearted manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of нога́ is ноги́. When expressing movement toward a leg or foot (e.g., 'to hit the leg'), the word changes to ногу́.
How do you pronounce it?
nogá
Did you know?
- The Russian phrase наложить лапу literally means 'to place a paw', but it is used idiomatically to describe someone trying to seize control of something or get a piece of the action.
- When a Russian speaker says they are на ногах, it does not just mean they are standing, but that they are active and healthy.
- In Russian, using the diminutive ножка to describe a person's leg can sound overly precious or even patronizing, depending on the context.
Examples in context
- Стреляющая боль в моей ноге мешает мне ходить.The shooting pain in my leg is making it difficult for me to walk.
- У меня болят ноги́.My legs/feet hurt.
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are talking about a sports injury.
- Александр AleksandrОльга, как твоя нога́?Olga, kak tvoya nogá?Olga, how is your leg?
- Ольга OlgaОна всё ещё немного болит.Ona vsyo eshchyo nemnogo bolit.It still hurts a little.
- Александр AleksandrТебе нужно больше отдыхать.Tebe nuzhno bol'she otdykhat'.You need to rest more.
- Ольга OlgaЯ знаю, Александр, я буду осторожна.Ya znayu, Aleksandr, ya budu ostorozhna.I know, Alexander, I will be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leg” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
