кошма́р
košmármasculine
The English word nightmare can be translated into Russian as кошма́р (košmár). Wiktionary also lists стра́шный сон (strášnyj son).
Meaning: dream (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| кошма́р | košmár | masculine |
| стра́шный сон | strášnyj son | masculine |
The term кошма́р is a noun used to describe a nightmare. Beyond its meaning of a frightening dream, it can also be used metaphorically to describe real-world disasters.
Which one should you use?
The phrase стра́шный сон is more literal and is used specifically to refer to a frightening dream experienced during sleep, whereas кошма́р is more versatile and can be used metaphorically for real-world disasters.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is košmár.
Did you know?
- In Russian folklore, nightmares were often attributed to the Мара, a spirit that sits on a sleeper's chest to cause a feeling of suffocation.
- The word кошма́р entered the Russian language as a loanword from the French cauchemar.
- Russian has a specific distinction between сон for a dream during sleep and мечта for a daydream or a lifelong aspiration.
Examples in context
- Вчера у меня было такое жуткое космическое кошмарище!Yesterday I had such a terrifying cosmic nightmare!
Example conversation
Dmitry and Olga are talking in the kitchen over breakfast.
- Дмитрий DmitryОльга, почему ты такая бледная?Olga, pochemu ty takaya blednaya?Olga, why are you so pale?
- Ольга OlgaМне сегодня приснился кошма́р.Mne segodnya prisnilsya koshmar.I had a nightmare today.
- Дмитрий DmitryЧто именно тебе приснилось?Shto imenno tebe prisnilos?What exactly did you dream about?
- Ольга OlgaЯ не помню, но было очень страшно.Ya ne pomnyu, no bylo ochen strashno.I don't remember, but it was very scary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nightmare” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
