я́щерица
jáščericafeminine
The Russian word for lizard is я́щерица (jáščerica). Wiktionary also lists я́щерка f я́щер (jáščerka).
Meaning: reptile (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| я́щерица | jáščerica | feminine |
| я́щерка f я́щер | jáščerka | masculine |
The word refers to the reptile.
Which one should you use?
я́щерица is the feminine form, while я́щерка f я́щер is the masculine form.
How does it change in a sentence?
я́щерица is a feminine noun. я́щерка f я́щер is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
jáščerica
Did you know?
- The masculine form я́щер is often used in Russian fantasy and folklore to describe a monstrous or prehistoric reptile rather than a common garden lizard.
- The root of я́щерица is shared with the archaic word я́щер, which historically related to 'slippery' or 'sliding' creatures, including snakes.
- While я́щерица is the standard term, the diminutive я́щерка is used not just for small lizards but to express affection or cuteness toward the animal.
Examples in context
- На склоне мы заметили большую ящерицу.We noticed a big lizard on the slope.
- Посмотри, там лежит маленькая ящерка!Look, there's a little lizard lying there!
- Эта я́щерица очень быстрая.Eta yashchertsa ochen' bystraya.This lizard is very fast.
- Маленькая я́щерица грелась на солнце.Malen'kaya yashchertsa grelas' na solntse.A little lizard was basking in the sun.
Example conversation
Sergey and Ekaterina are walking through a summer garden.
- Сергей SergeyСмотри, вон там я́щерица!Smotri, von tam yashchertsa!Look, there is a lizard over there!
- Екатерина EkaterinaОй, какая она красивая.Oy, kakaya ona krasivaya.Oh, how beautiful she is.
- Сергей SergeyОна быстро убежала в кусты.Ona bystro ubezhalа v kusty.She ran quickly into the bushes.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЖаль, я хотела её рассмотреть.Zhal', ya khotela yeyo rassmotret'.Too bad, I wanted to look at her closely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lizard” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
