Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| монстр | monstr | [monstr] (narrow) | masculine |
| чудо́вище | čudóvišče | neuter | |
| страши́лище | strašílišče | neuter | |
| чу́дище | čúdišče | neuter | |
| потво́р | potvór | masculine, obsolete |
Russian uses several words for a terrifying, dangerous creature. Монстр is a loanword often used to describe something unnaturally large, grotesque or a person with a monstrous personality. It can also be used metaphorically, much like in English, to describe someone who is exceptionally large or perceived as being cruel and inhuman. The related adjective чудо́вищный means very large.
Which one should you use?
While монстр is a loanword from Western languages, чудовище is the standard, native Russian word for a terrifying creature or beast. Страшилище is a more colloquial term, often used in a playful or mocking way to refer to a bogeyman or someone who is scary in an ugly or ridiculous way. Other forms include чу́дище and the obsolete masculine noun потво́р.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Бабай is a regional variation used to refer to a monster or a bogeyman.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun монстр changes its ending to монстра in the genitive case, which is required when using constructions like 'no monster' (нет монстра).
How do you pronounce it?
monstr
Did you know?
- While монстр can mean a beast, Russian speakers also use it as a compliment for someone with an inhumanly high skill level in a specific field, like a 'monster' of chess or mathematics.
- While монстр is used for grotesque or unnaturally large beings, the native word чудовище is actually derived from the root meaning 'wonder' or 'miracle', implying a creature so strange it defies explanation.
- Russian speakers use the suffix -ище in words like чудище and страшилище to denote an extreme or augmented size. It transforms a regular noun into something gargantuan and overwhelming.
Examples in context
- Я стал настоящим монстром?Have I truly become a monster?This sentence demonstrates the use of монстр in a rhetorical question about one's nature.Tatoeba #10711316 by Ooneykcall, translation #10711315 by Ooneykcall
- У меня под кроватью монстр.There is a monster under my bed.This sentence shows a common way to describe the presence of a монстр in a scary context.Tatoeba #3588656 by sharptoothed, translation #1186030 by CC
- Я уже не человек, а монстр!I'm no longer a man, but a monster!This sentence illustrates the metaphorical use of монстр to describe a loss of humanity.Tatoeba #5209041 by marafon, translation #5208983 by CarpeLanam
- В глубине озера прячется страшное чудовище.A scary monster hides in the depths of the lake.
- Чудовище из легенды ожило на страницах этой книги.The monster from the legend came to life on the pages of this book.
- Маленький Миша был напуган, потому что его бабушка рассказывала ему истории о Бабае.Little Misha was scared because his grandmother used to tell him stories about the monster.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are watching a horror movie at home.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭтот монстр выглядит очень страшным.Etot monstr vyglyadit ochen' strashnym.This monster looks very scary.
- Мария MariaДа, я боюсь его, Дмитрий.Da, ya boyus' yego, Dmitriy.Yes, I am afraid of it, Dmitry.
- Дмитрий DmitryНе бойся, это всего лишь кино.Ne boysya, eto vsego lish' kino.Don't be afraid, it is just a movie.
- Мария MariaНо этот монстр в фильме очень реалистичен.No etot monstr v fil'me ochen' realistichen.But this monster in the movie is very realistic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monster” translations and entries монстр, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
