де́тский дом
détskij dommasculine
The English word orphanage is translated into Russian as де́тский дом (détskij dom). Wiktionary also lists детдо́м (detdóm) and прию́т для сиро́т (prijút dlja sirót).
Meaning: a residential institution for the care and protection of orphans (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| де́тский дом | détskij dom | masculine |
| детдо́м | detdóm | masculine |
| прию́т для сиро́т | prijút dlja sirót | masculine |
| прию́т | prijút | masculine |
| сиро́тский прию́т | sirótskij prijút | masculine |
The standard and most common term in modern Russian for a state-run residential institution for children is де́тский дом.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase прию́т для сиро́т, the word сиро́т is the genitive plural form of the word for orphan.
Which one should you use?
прию́т is a more general term for a shelter or refuge that can be used for animals or displaced people, whereas де́тский дом is specific to children. The word детдо́м is a common contraction of де́тский дом used in everyday speech. Additionally, детский приют translates to 'children's shelter'.
How do you pronounce it?
détskij dom
Did you know?
- The word детдо́м was popularized during the early Soviet era as part of a wider trend of creating portmanteaus to reflect a new, modernized society.
- The word дом is a cognate of the English word 'domestic', as both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root for 'home'.
- While де́тский дом literally means 'children's house', it carries a heavy historical weight in Russian literature, often evoking the austerity of state institutions.
Examples in context
- В моем городе есть прекрасный детский дом, где помогают детям без родителей.In my city, there is a wonderful orphanage where they help children without parents.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “orphanage” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries для, дом, CC BY-SA 4.0.
