щено́к
ščenókmasculine
The English phrase 'puppy' is translated into Russian using the word щено́к (ščenók). Wiktionary also lists цу́цик (cúcik) and кутёнок (kutjónok).
Meaning: young dog (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| щено́к | ščenók | masculine |
| цу́цик | cúcik | colloquial, masculine |
| кутёнок | kutjónok | masculine |
Which one should you use?
щено́к is the general term used for a puppy. цу́цик is a more colloquial way to refer to one, and кутёнок is another masculine form used for a puppy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
цу́цик is considered colloquial.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word щено́к changes to щенка in the genitive case, such as when saying 'I have a puppy' (у меня есть щенок -> у меня нет щенка).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ščenók.
Did you know?
- The word щено́к is sometimes used as a mild insult or a way to describe a naive, inexperienced young person, similar to calling someone a 'greenhorn' in English.
- The word кутёнок is actually the word for a 'bear cub' in many contexts, and using it to mean a dog puppy might sound quite unusual to a native speaker.
- While цу́цик is used for puppies, the root is shared with words for small, yapping dogs, making it more about the sound a small dog makes than its actual age.
Examples in context
- У этой собаки есть милый щенок.This dog has a cute puppy.
- Моя собачка родила семерых песиков.My dog gave birth to seven puppies.
- Этот маленький щено́к очень смешной.Etot malen'kiy shchenok ochen' smeshnoy.This little puppy is very funny.
- У нас дома живёт новый щено́к.U nas doma zhivyot novyy shchenok.A new puppy lives in our house.
- Я хочу купить чёрного щено́ка.Ya khochu kupit' chernogo shchenoka.I want to buy a black puppy.
Example conversation
Andrey and Olga are talking about a new pet.
- Андрей AndreyОльга, посмотри на этого щенка!Ol'ga, posmotri na etogo shchenka!Olga, look at this puppy!
- Ольга OlgaКакой милый щено́к, Андрей!Kakoy milyy shchenok, Andrey!What a cute puppy, Andrey!
- Андрей AndreyДа, он очень весёлый.Da, on ochen' vesyolyy.Yes, he is very cheerful.
- Ольга OlgaМы можем оставить его себе?My mozhem ostavit' yego sebe?Can we keep him?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puppy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
