г-жа
g-ža
The English phrase 'Mrs.' is translated into Russian as г-жа (g-ža).
In modern Russian, г-жа is used to maintain a formal distance, functioning much like 'Ms.' in English regardless of the woman's marital status. It is customary to include the person's surname after the title, such as госпожа Иванова (Mrs. Ivanova). To translate 'Dear Mrs.' in a way that sounds even more polite, you can use the phrase уважаемая госпожа.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The abbreviation г-жа is used in formal written contexts, such as formal addresses or official correspondence, rather than in casual spoken conversation. The full form госпожа is the formal way to say 'Mrs.' in Russian.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used in a possessive sense, such as 'Mrs. Smith's house', the abbreviation changes to г-жи to reflect the genitive case.
How do you pronounce it?
g-ža
Did you know?
- During the Soviet era, the title госпожа was largely discarded in favor of товарищ, meaning 'comrade', because it was seen as a bourgeois remnant of the Tsarist empire.
- The word госпожа shares the same root as the word for 'master' or 'lord' господин, literally meaning a 'lady' or 'mistress' of a house.
- The term госпожа is used in the phrase госпожа удача to personify 'Lady Luck', treating the title as a proper name for an abstract concept.
Examples in context
- Извините, госпожа Иванова, у вас есть минутка?Excuse me, Mrs. Ivanova, do you have a moment?
- Уважаемая госпожа Петрова, мы очень ценим ваш вклад.Dear Mrs. Petrova, we greatly appreciate your contribution.
- Г-жа Иванова пришла на собрание.G-zha Ivanova prishla na sobraniye.Mrs. Ivanova came to the meeting.
- Г-жа Петрова наш новый юрист.G-zha Petrova nash novyy yurist.Mrs. Petrova is our new lawyer.
Example conversation
Andrey is introducing a guest to Anastasia at a business event.
- Андрей AndreyАнастасия, познакомьтесь, это г-жа Волкова.Anastasiya, poznakom'tes', eto g-zha Volkova.Anastasia, meet Mrs. Volkova.
- Анастасия AnastasiaОчень приятно с вами познакомиться.Ochen' priyatno s vami poznakomitsya.It is very nice to meet you.
- Андрей AndreyГ-жа Волкова приехала из Москвы.G-zha Volkova priyekhala iz Moskvy.Mrs. Volkova has come from Moscow.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДобро пожаловать в наш город!Dobro pozhalovat' v nash gorod!Welcome to our city!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry г-жа, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
