кры́са
krýsafeminine
The Russian word for rat is кры́са (krýsa). Wiktionary also lists пасю́к (pasjúk).
Meaning: rodent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| кры́са | krýsa | feminine |
| пасю́к | pasjúk | masculine, rare, regional |
The term is used to refer to the rodent. In a slang context, the related verb крысить is used to describe someone who is acting like a rat, specifically by stealing or behaving in a treacherous manner.
Which one should you use?
кры́са is the standard and most common word for a rat. In contrast, пасю́к is a much rarer term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
пасю́к is a rare and regional form.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of кры́са is кры́сы. When the rat is the direct object of a sentence, you should use the accusative form кры́су.
How do you pronounce it?
krýsa
Did you know?
- In Russian criminal slang, a кры́са is specifically someone who steals from their own accomplices or cellmates, rather than from victims outside the gang.
- In many Russian folk tales, a rat is often portrayed as a cunning or clever character rather than just a pest, unlike some Western depictions.
- Russian has a specific diminutive form, кры́сенок, used not only for baby rats but also to describe a small person in a mocking or condescending way.
Examples in context
- Согласно опубликованному исследованию, крыса является распространенным грызуном в городских условиях.According to the published study, a rat is a common rodent in urban environments.
- Предлагается провести дополнительное исследование грызунов, включая крысу.It is suggested to conduct further research on rodents, including rats.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Alexander are cleaning the garage.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСмотри, там бегает кры́са!Smotri, tam begayet krysa!Look, there is a rat running there!
- Александр AleksandrОй, она действительно огромная.Oy, ona deystvitel'no ogromnaya.Oh, it really is huge.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЧто нам делать с этой крысой?Chto nam delat' s etoy krysoy?What should we do with this rat?
- Александр AleksandrЯ сейчас вызову службу контроля.Ya seychas vyzovu sluzhbu kontrolya.I will call the control service now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rat” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
