медсестра́
medsestráfeminine
The Russian word for nurse is медсестра́ (medsestrá). Wiktionary also lists сиде́лка (sidélka) and фе́льдшер (félʹdšer).
Meaning: person trained to provide care for the sick (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| медсестра́ | medsestrá | feminine |
| сиде́лка | sidélka | feminine |
| фе́льдшер | félʹdšer | masculine |
| медбра́т | medbrát | masculine |
| сестра́ | sestrá | feminine |
The term refers to a person trained to provide care for the sick.
What does it mean word for word?
The word медсестра́ is a compound of мед- (medical) and сестра́ (sister).
Which one should you use?
медсестра́ refers to a medically trained nurse, whereas сиде́лка refers to a caregiver or sitter, often used for someone providing non-medical home care for the elderly or sick. Additionally, a фе́льдшер is a mid-level medical practitioner who has more diagnostic authority than a standard медсестра́.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word медсестра́ is strictly feminine. If you are referring to a male nurse, use the masculine form медбра́т.
How do you pronounce it?
medsestrá
Did you know?
- The term фе́льдшер is a loanword from the German Feldscher, originally referring to a barber-surgeon who served in the field during wartime.
- The masculine медбра́т is a relatively modern term, as the nursing profession in Russia was historically viewed as almost exclusively female.
- In a hospital setting, a nurse is often addressed simply as сестра́ (sister) by doctors and patients alike.
Examples in context
- Врач: Где медсестра?Doctor: Where is the nurse?
- Пациент: Я позвал медсестру.Patient: I called the nurse.
- Эта медсестра́ очень добрая.Eta medstrá óchen' dobraya.This nurse is very kind.
- Медсестра́ принесла мне лекарство.Medstrá prineslá mne lekárstvo.The nurse brought me my medicine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nurse” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
