Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ма́льчик | málʹčik | masculine |
| мальчи́шка | malʹčíška | masculine |
| мальчуга́н | malʹčugán | colloquial, masculine |
The term is used to refer to a diminutive male child.
Which one should you use?
While ма́льчик is the standard term, мальчи́шка often carries a connotation of being a mischievous or energetic boy, similar to the English terms 'rascal' or 'lad'. For a more colorful, colloquial description, you might use мальчуга́н, which implies a rough-and-tumble youngster.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
мальчи́шка is informal, and мальчуга́н is a colloquial term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. In the genitive case, such as when saying "the boy's toy", the form becomes ма́льчика. In the dative case, used when giving something to the boy, it becomes ма́льчику.
How do you pronounce it?
málʹčik
When do people say it?
The term Малыш is also an endearing and widely used term for a little boy.
Did you know?
- Russian uses the same root for ма́льчик to create the word мальчи́шник, which refers to a bachelor party.
- In Russian, the word малыш can be used as a term of endearment for an adult man, much like calling someone 'baby' or 'kid' in English, though it remains primarily for children.
- The Russian language has a specific term, мальчишество, which refers not just to being a boy, but to the specific state of 'boyhood' and its associated spirit.
Examples in context
- Малыш, хочешь пойти на прогулку?Little boy, do you want to go for a walk?
- Этот ма́льчик очень весёлый.Etot mal'chik ochen' veselyy.This little boy is very cheerful.
- Ма́льчик играет в парке.Mal'chik igrayet v parke.The little boy is playing in the park.
- Смотри, какой милый ма́льчик!Smotri, kakoy milyy mal'chik!Look, what a cute little boy!
Example conversation
Two people are watching children play at a playground.
- Андрей AndreyАнастасия, посмотри на того ма́льчика.Anastasiya, posmotri na togo mal'chika.Anastasia, look at that little boy.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, он очень быстро бегает.Da, on ochen' bystro begayet.Yes, he runs very fast.
- Андрей AndreyОн кажется очень смелым.On kazhetsya ochen' smelym.He seems very brave.
- Анастасия AnastasiaАндрей, ты прав, он настоящий герой.Andrey, ty prav, on nastoyashchiy geroy.Andrey, you are right, he is a real hero.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little boy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
