Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| месть | mestʹ | [mʲesʲtʲ] (narrow) | feminine |
| рева́нш | revánš | masculine | |
| мще́ние | mščénije | neuter | |
| отмще́ние | otmščénije | neuter | |
| воздая́ние | vozdajánije | neuter |
The primary way to express the concept of retaliatory action is through the noun месть. Related verbs include мстить and отомсти́ть, which mean to take revenge for an action or on an actor or to seek revenge.
Which one should you use?
While месть is the most common and general word used in everyday speech and literature, other forms carry specific nuances. рева́нш is used specifically in the context of a rematch or a way to win back lost prestige, often in sports or games. мще́ние is a more formal, poetic or literary term that emphasizes the process or the act of seeking vengeance. воздая́ние refers to a more abstract or divine retribution or recompense rather than a personal act of revenge.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using verbs, мстить is the imperfective form used to describe the ongoing process of seeking revenge or a habitual action. In contrast, the perfective verb отомсти́ть is used when focusing on the completed act of taking revenge.
How do you pronounce it?
mestʹ
Did you know?
- The term воздая́ние can be used positively to mean a 'reward' for good deeds, making it a neutral term for recompense unlike the emotionally charged месть.
- The word рева́нш is a direct loanword from the French 'revanche'. In Russian, it is almost exclusively used for sports or games rather than personal vendettas.
- In certain idioms, месть can be described as 'sweet', similar to the English expression, but it is more common to speak of 'cold' revenge, referring to patience.
Examples in context
- Месть – исповедь боли.Revenge is a confession of pain.Tatoeba #1638009 by corvard, translation #1638001 by dimitris
- Лучшая месть – это месть.Revenge is the best revenge.Tatoeba #3082729 by odexed, translation #1666361 by loghaD
- Всё, чего я хочу, это месть.The only thing I want is revenge.Tatoeba #11931692 by Wezel, translation #9000720 by CK
- Кажется, ему нужна месть.It seems like he needs revenge.
- Когда наступит возмездие?When will revenge come?
- Она жаждет отомстить за свою семью.She thirsts for revenge for her family.
- Она мстит.She seeks revenge.
- Он мстит.He seeks revenge.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olga and Aleksandr are discussing a dramatic plot in a movie.
- Ольга OlgaЭта история только про месть.Eta istoriya tol'ko pro mest'.This story is only about revenge.
- Александр AleksandrНо это очень грустный конец.No eto ochen' grustnyy konets.But it is a very sad ending.
- Ольга OlgaМесть не приносит счастья.Mest' ne prinosit schast'ya.Revenge does not bring happiness.
- Александр AleksandrЯ с тобой согласен, Ольга.Ya s toboy soglasen, Ol'ga.I agree with you, Olga.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “revenge” translations and entries месть, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
