г-жа
g-ža
The English phrase Ms. is translated into Russian as г-жа (g-ža).
г-жа is a title used before a woman's surname regardless of her marital status. While the full word госпожа can be translated as Ms., the abbreviated form г-жа is primarily used in formal written contexts, such as business correspondence or official documents.
What does it mean word for word?
The abbreviation г-жа is a contraction of the full word госпожа, which literally means lady, mistress or madam.
How does it change in a sentence?
г-жа is the feminine form used for a woman, whereas the masculine form for Mr. is г-н.
How do you pronounce it?
g-ža
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to use г-жа in spoken Russian to be polite, but it can sound overly formal or even sarcastic in everyday speech. Using the person's name and patronymic is the standard way to show respect.
Did you know?
- In the Soviet era, the terms господин and госпожа were largely abandoned because they were associated with the 'bourgeois' class and the old aristocracy.
- Unlike 'Ms.' in English, which was popularized to avoid defining a woman by her marriage, госпожа has always been neutral regarding marital status.
- While госпожа is the translation for 'Ms.', using it in a casual conversation can sound like a character from a 19th-century novel or a formal servant addressing a noble.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, госпожа Иванова.Hello, Ms. Ivanova.
- Уважаемая госпожа Петрова, благодарю вас за ваше письмо.Dear Ms. Petrova, thank you for your letter.
- Г-жа Петрова пришла на собрание.G-zh. Petrova prishla na sobraniye.Ms. Petrova came to the meeting.
Example conversation
Andrey is asking Ekaterina about a new client.
- Екатерина EkaterinaКто наш новый клиент?Kto nash novyy kliyent?Who is our new client?
- Андрей AndreyЭто г-жа Петрова из Москвы.Eto g-zha Petrova iz Moskvy.It is Ms. Petrova from Moscow.
- Екатерина EkaterinaОна уже приехала в город?Ona uzhe priyekhala v gorod?Has she already arrived in the city?
- Андрей AndreyДа, она будет в офисе завтра.Da, ona budet v ofise zavtra.Yes, she will be in the office tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry г-жа, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
