злой
zloj[zɫoj]
The Russian word for mean is злой (zloj).
злой specifically refers to a person's temperament or character being unkind, malicious or angry.
Meaning: of a word: to signify (verb)
Which one should you use?
While English uses 'mean' for both unkindness and low quality, the Russian word злой specifically refers to a person's temperament or character being unkind, malicious or angry.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective злой takes the feminine ending –ая when describing a female person or a feminine noun. The adjective злой takes the neuter ending –ое when describing a neuter noun. The adjective злой takes the plural ending –ые when describing multiple people or objects.
How do you pronounce it?
zloj
Did you know?
- While злой usually means 'mean' or 'evil', it can also describe the intensity of a physical sensation, such as a злой frost or a злой wind.
- In some contexts, calling someone злой can be a teasing or affectionate way to say they are 'grumpy', similar to calling a child 'a little monster'.
- If you want to say a person is 'mean' in the sense of being stingy with money, you should not use злой, but rather use the word жадный.
Examples in context
- Том – злой человек.Tom is a mean person.This sentence is useful for describing a person using злой.Tatoeba #5563736 by marafon, translation #4666987 by CK
- Я иногда могу быть злой.Sometimes I can be mean.Tatoeba #8564069 by marafon, translation #14051857 by frpzzd
- Почему ты всегда такой злой?Why are you always so mean?Tatoeba #2062517 by marafon, translation #7987290 by CK
- Злой человекA mean person
- Он всегда такой злой со своими подчиненными.He is always so mean to his subordinates.
- Их начальник нападает на них и бывает очень злым.Their boss attacks them and can be very mean.
- Я не понимаю, почему он всегда такой плохой.I don't understand why he is always so mean.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Andrey are arguing about a comment.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПочему ты такой злой сегодня?Pochemu ty takoy zloy segodnya?Why are you so mean today?
- Андрей AndreyЯ не злой, я просто устал.Ya ne zloy, ya prosto ustal.I'm not mean, I'm just tired.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТвои слова звучат очень злой.Tvoi slova zvuchat ochen zloy.Your words sound very mean.
- Андрей AndreyИзвини, я не хотел быть злой.Izvini, ya ne khotel byt zloy.Sorry, I didn't want to be mean.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry злой, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
