ка́мень, но́жницы, бума́га
kámenʹ, nóžnicy, bumáganeuter
The English phrase 'rock paper scissors' is translated into Russian as ка́мень, но́жницы, бума́га (kámenʹ, nóžnicy, bumága).
This phrase refers to the popular game used to decide who goes first or to settle minor disputes, functioning just like the English version.
Meaning: popular child's game (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'stone, scissors, paper'.
Which one should you use?
The standard order of elements in the Russian version is stone, followed by scissors and then paper.
How do you pronounce it?
kámenʹ, nóžnicy, bumága
Did you know?
- Russian children sometimes use a variation called камень, ножницы, бумага, стрела which adds a 'arrow' element to create a more complex version of the game.
- In some Russian regional variations, players replace the word бума́га ('paper') with лист ('sheet of paper'), though the former remains the standard term.
- The word но́жницы ('scissors') is a plurale tantum, meaning it has no singular form in Russian, mirroring a similar quirk in English grammar.
Examples in context
- Давай сыграем в камень-ножницы-бумага!Let's play rock paper scissors!
- Кто выиграл в ка́мень, но́жницы, бума́га?Kto vyigral v kamen', nozhnitsy, bumaga?Who won rock, paper, scissors?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding who will wash the dishes.
- Мария MariaСергей, давай в ка́мень, но́жницы, бума́га!Sergey, davay v kamen, nozhnitsy, bumaga!Sergey, let's do rock, paper, scissors!
- Сергей SergeyХорошо, Мария. На счёт три!Khorosho, Mariya. Na schyot tri!Okay, Maria. On the count of three!
- Мария MariaКамень, но́жницы, бума́га! Я выиграла!Kamen, nozhnitsy, bumaga! Ya vyigrala!Rock, paper, scissors! I won!
- Сергей SergeyОй, ладно. Я мою посуду.Oy, ladno. Ya moyu posudu.Oh, alright. I'll wash the dishes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rock paper scissors” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
