ничего себе
nichego sebe
The Russian phrase for "oh wow" is ничего себе (nichego sebe).
ничего себе is an exclamation used to express strong surprise or amazement. It is versatile and can convey positive amazement, such as "wow!" or negative shock, such as "holy cow!"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ничего себе literally translates to "nothing to myself".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ничего себе is an informal expression commonly used in spoken language rather than in formal writing.
How do you pronounce it?
nichego sebe
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, ничего себе can be used sarcastically to mean 'you've got some nerve'. In this case, the phrase expresses annoyance at someone's audacity rather than genuine amazement.
- In certain contexts, if you say ничего себе with a downward inflection, it can shift from 'wow' to a sarcastic 'big deal'.
- While ничего себе is the common phrase for 'wow', Russians may also use ого to express a sudden shock. Unlike ничего себе, ого is often used when the speaker is physically startled.
Examples in context
- Офигеть!Oh wow, that's amazing!
- Ничего себе, какая огромная собака!Nichego sebe, kakaya ogromnaya sobaka!Oh wow, what a huge dog!
- Ничего себе, ты купил новый дом!Nichego sebe, ty kupil novyy dom!Oh wow, you bought a new house!
- Ничего себе, как быстро летит время.Nichego sebe, kak bystro letit vremya.Oh wow, how fast time flies.
Example conversation
Sergey and Olga are looking at a beautiful view from a balcony.
- Сергей SergeyНичего себе, посмотри на этот закат!Nichego sebe, posmotri na etot zakat!Oh wow, look at this sunset!
- Ольга OlgaДа, это действительно очень красиво.Da, eto deystvitel'no ochen' krasivo.Yes, it is truly very beautiful.
- Сергей SergeyЯ никогда не видел ничего подобного.Ya nikogda ne videl nichego podobnogo.I have never seen anything like it.
- Ольга OlgaМне тоже очень нравится этот вид.Mne tozhe ochen' nravitsya etot vid.I really like this view too.
