племя́нник
plemjánnikmasculine
The Russian word for nephew is племя́нник (plemjánnik). Wiktionary also lists племя́ш (plemjáš).
Meaning: fraternal or sororal nephew (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| племя́нник | plemjánnik | masculine |
| племя́ш | plemjáš | colloquial, masculine |
The term племя́нник is the standard and widely used word for a fraternal or sororal nephew.
Which one should you use?
While племя́нник is the standard term, племя́ш is a colloquial and more affectionate way to refer to a nephew.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
племя́нник is the standard form, whereas племя́ш is an informal diminutive.
How do you pronounce it?
plemjánnik
Did you know?
- The word племя́нник shares its root with the word пле́мя, which means 'tribe' or 'clan'.
- If you use the diminutive племя́ш with a grown man, it can sound patronizing or ironically funny, as it is usually reserved for young children.
- Russian does not distinguish between a paternal nephew and a maternal nephew. Both are called племя́нник, regardless of whether the child is the son of a brother or a sister.
Examples in context
- Мой племянник обучается в университетеMy nephew is studying at the university
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nephew” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
