тёща
tjóšča[ˈtʲɵɕːə]feminine
In Russian, the English phrase "mother-in-law" can be expressed in several ways. The default form is тёща (tjóšča). Wiktionary also lists свекро́вь (svekróvʹ) and свекру́ха (svekrúxa).
Meaning: spouse's mother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| тёща | tjóšča | [ˈtʲɵɕːə] (narrow) | feminine |
| свекро́вь | svekróvʹ | feminine | |
| свекру́ха | svekrúxa | feminine |
The terms used for a mother-in-law in Russian depend entirely on whether you are referring to the mother of a wife or the mother of a husband.
Which one should you use?
The term тёща refers specifically to the mother of a wife (the husband's mother-in-law). The form свекру́ха is a colloquial way to refer to one's husband's mother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The forms свекру́ха and тёщуха are colloquial and often carry a slightly disrespectful or informal tone.
How do you pronounce it?
tjóšča
Did you know?
- The term тёща is the subject of a vast genre of Russian folklore and anecdotes, which often depict the 'mother-in-law' as a cunning or antagonistic character in a comedic battle of wits with her son-in-law.
- The suffix in свекру́ха often implies a sense of 'roughness' or 'earthiness', making it sound much more peasant-like or unrefined than the formal свекро́вь.
- The word тёща is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *tьšča.
Examples in context
- Сегодня я пообщался с тёщей.Today I spoke with my mother-in-law.
- Я сделал подарок своей тёще в её день рождения.I gave a gift to my mother-in-law on her birthday.
- Моя тёща – просто моя вторая мама.My mother-in-law is just like my second mom.
- Моя мама и моя тёща лучшие подруги.My mom and my mother-in-law are best friends.
- Зять позвонил своей тёще, чтобы пригласить её на свой день рождения.The son-in-law called his mother-in-law to invite her to his birthday party.
- Моя тёща очень добрая женщина.Moya tyoshcha ochen' dobraya zhenshchina.My mother-in-law is a very kind woman.
- Тёща приедет к нам в субботу.Tyoshcha priyedet k nam v subbotu.My mother-in-law is coming to visit us on Saturday.
Example conversation
Andrey and Olga are discussing family plans at home.
- Ольга OlgaАндрей, ты позвонил своей тёще?Andrey, ty pozvonil svoyey tyoshche?Andrey, did you call your mother-in-law?
- Андрей AndreyДа, Ольга, я уже ей звонил.Da, Olga, ya uzhe ey zvonil.Yes, Olga, I already called her.
- Ольга OlgaТвоя тёща хочет приехать в гости.Tvoya tyoshcha khochet priyekhat' v gosti.Your mother-in-law wants to come visit.
- Андрей AndreyХорошо, мы её очень ждём.Khorosho, my yey ochen' zhdyom.Okay, we are looking forward to her visit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother-in-law” translations and entries тёща, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries тёща, CC BY-SA 4.0.
