Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ум | um | [um] (narrow) | masculine |
| ра́зум | rázum | masculine | |
| рассу́док | rassúdok | masculine | |
| интелле́кт | intellékt | masculine |
The primary meaning refers to the ability for rational thought. You may also encounter the idiom с ума сойти, which literally means 'to go from the mind' and is the standard way to say someone is going crazy or acting insane.
Which one should you use?
While ум is a general term, other forms exist for specific contexts: ра́зум refers to the abstract faculty of reason or higher cognitive capacity, while рассу́док is a formal or technical term often used in philosophical discussions to denote the faculty of reasoning. интелле́кт is a direct loanword used specifically in academic or scientific contexts to refer to cognitive ability.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the common idiom 'с ума сойти' (to go out of one's mind), the word ум is used in the genitive case because it follows the preposition 'с' (from).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is um.
Did you know?
- In the phrase с ума сойти, the verb сойти literally means 'to step off' or 'to descend', as if the person is stepping off the path of their own mind.
- While ум describes a smart person, the phrase умник can be used sarcastically to describe a 'smarty-pants' or someone being condescendingly clever.
- Russian has a distinction between ум (quick wit/intelligence) and мудрость (wisdom), meaning a person can be умный but not мудрый.
Examples in context
- Я схожу с ума.I'm going out of my mind.This example uses ум to show how to express going out of one's mind.Tatoeba #3865955 by marafon, translation #2545413 by CK
- Ты с ума сошёл?Are you out of your mind?This example uses ум to ask if someone is out of their mind.Tatoeba #1537485 by corvard, translation #1829651 by Spamster
- Ты в своём уме?Are you losing your mind?This example uses ум to ask if someone is losing their mind.Tatoeba #2390305 by sharptoothed, translation #271606 by CK
- У меня сейчас сумбурная голова.I have a confused mind/head right now.
- Он всегда демонстрирует трезвый ум.He always demonstrates a sober mind.
- 153 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A teacher and a student discuss a clever way to solve a riddle.
- Дмитрий DmitryУ тебя очень острый ум.U tebya ochen' ostryy um.You have a very sharp mind.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСпасибо, я много занимаюсь логикой.Spasibo, ya mnogo zanimayus' logikoy.Thank you, I study logic a lot.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто заметно по твоим решениям.Eto zametno po tvoim resheniyam.It is noticeable in your solutions.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ стараюсь развиваться.Ya starayus' razvivat'sya.I am trying to develop myself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mind” translations and entries ум, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
