хи́щник
xíščnikmasculine
The Russian word for "predator" is хи́щник (xíščnik).
хи́щник is a noun used to describe an animal or organism that hunts.
Meaning: animal or organism that hunts (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is xíščnik.
Did you know?
- While хи́щник describes the predator, the Russian word for 'prey' is жертва, which also means 'victim'. This creates a strong linguistic link between nature and tragedy.
- In Russian, you might encounter the term хищный взгляд, which literally means a 'predatory gaze'. It is used to describe a person looking at someone with intense, often sexual or aggressive, desire.
- The word хи́щник shares an ancient root with the word for 'to snatch' or 'to seize', suggesting that a predator is fundamentally defined by the act of grabbing its prey.
Examples in context
- Лев – могучий хищник, похожий на короля джунглей.The lion is a mighty predator, resembling the king of the jungle.
- Этот человек словно зверь, всегда готовый напасть на свою добычу.This person is like a beast, always ready to pounce on their prey.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Sergey are watching a nature documentary.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПосмотри, какой быстрый хи́щник!Posmotri, kakoy bystryy khishchnik!Look, what a fast predator!
- Сергей SergeyДа, он охотится за добычей.Da, on okhotitsya za dobychey.Yes, he is hunting for prey.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЭто очень захватывающее зрелище, Сергей.Eto ochen' zakhvativayushcheye zrelishche, Sergey.It is a very exciting sight, Sergey.
- Сергей SergeyПрирода бывает очень жестокой.Priroda byvayet ochen' zhestokoy.Nature can be very cruel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “predator” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
