со́ска
sóskafeminine
To say "pacifier" in Russian, use со́ска (sóska), пусты́шка (pustýška) or со́ска-пусты́шка. If unsure, use со́ска.
Meaning: for a baby (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| со́ска | sóska | feminine |
| пусты́шка | pustýška | feminine |
| со́ска-пусты́шка | sóska-pustýška | feminine |
All three words name the rubber or silicone teat a baby sucks on. Пустышка is commonly used and understood by everyone.
What does it mean word for word?
пусты́шка comes from the adjective meaning empty, so it literally means an empty thing or a dummy.
Which one should you use?
со́ска can mean a pacifier, but it more literally means a nipple or teat, such as the nipple of a baby bottle. пусты́шка refers specifically to the dummy style pacifier. The combined form со́ска-пусты́шка is often used to make clear you mean a pacifier and not a bottle nipple.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three are feminine nouns. The plural of соска is со́ски and the plural of пустышка is пусты́шки.
How do you pronounce it?
со́ска is romanized as sóska, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While соска refers to a pacifier, in certain youth slang contexts, it has evolved into a term used to describe an attractive young woman.
- In modern Russian slang, the word пустышка is also used to describe a person who is superficial or lacks substance, mirroring the English use of 'dummy'.
- Because соска refers to any nipple, it is the same word used in veterinary contexts for the teats of livestock.
Examples in context
- Я купил новую пустышку для моего ребенка.I bought a new pacifier for my child.
- Медсестра рекомендовала использовать детскую соску для успокоения ребенка.The nurse recommended using a pacifier to calm the baby.
- Младенец успокоился, когда мама дала ему соску.The baby calmed down when the mom gave him a pacifier.
- Где наша со́ска?Gde nasha soska?Where is our pacifier?
- Эта со́ска очень мягкая.Eta soska ochen' myagkaya.This pacifier is very soft.
Example conversation
A couple is preparing for a walk with their baby.
- Андрей AndreyМария, ты нашла со́ску?Mariya, ty nashla sosku?Maria, did you find the pacifier?
- Мария MariaДа, она лежит в сумке.Da, ona lezhit v sumke.Yes, it is in the bag.
- Андрей AndreyОтлично, ребёнок скоро уснёт.Otlichno, rebyonok skoro usnyot.Great, the baby will fall asleep soon.
- Мария MariaНадеюсь, эта со́ска ему подойдёт.Nadeyus', eta soska yemu podoydyot.I hope this pacifier suits him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pacifier” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
