Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| подле́ц | podléc | masculine | |
| негодя́й | negodjáj | masculine | |
| сво́лочь | svóločʹ | also, collective, feminine | |
| отро́дье | otródʹje | collective, neuter | |
| отре́бье | otrébʹje | neuter | |
| шваль | švalʹ | [ʂvalʲ] (narrow) | feminine |
| не́чисть | néčistʹ | feminine | |
| сброд | sbrod | [zbrot] (narrow) | masculine |
| шу́шера | šúšera | feminine | |
| шантропа́ | šantropá | feminine |
These terms are used to describe individuals or groups of people considered reprehensible, worthless or lacking in moral character. While some terms focus on a single person's lack of honor, others describe a collection of low-life people or a group of worthless individuals.
Which one should you use?
The term подле́ц focuses specifically on a person's lack of honor or moral character. In contrast, сброд is a collective noun used to describe a group of people considered low-life or worthless. If you want to call someone a scoundrel in a more standard and slightly less vulgar way, use негодя́й.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word негодя́й is a more standard way to call someone a scoundrel. Conversely, шваль is a colloquial term used for people or things considered worthless or low-quality. Мразь is an informal word for 'scum' or 'low-life'. The term отро́дье is a neuter collective noun that carries a very derogatory and archaic tone when applied to people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word сво́лочь is grammatically feminine, but it is frequently used to refer to a single male person. The word сброд is a collective noun used for a group of people. The word отро́дье is a neuter collective noun.
How do you pronounce it?
podléc
Did you know?
- The word не́чисть is often used to describe 'scum' or 'evil spirits', essentially categorizing bad people as non-human, supernatural entities. It literally translates to 'unclean things' or 'evil beings'.
- Calling someone шваль was originally a way to describe the lowest quality of fabric scraps or textile waste.
- While негодя́й is a strong insult, it shares a root with the word for 'fit' or 'suitable', literally meaning someone who is 'not fit' for decent society.
Examples in context
- Макс – Ты слышал, что Даниил предал нас? Он настоящий гад!Maks – Have you heard that Daniil betrayed us? He's a real scum!
- Наталья – Сергей просто ужасен! Он самая настоящая мразь!Natalya – Sergey is just terrible! He's the real scum!
- Дмитрий – Я не могу поверить, что он сделал такую подлость! Он настоящий негодяй!Dmitriy – I can't believe he did such a despicable thing! He's a real scum!
Example conversation
Dmitry and Ekaterina are discussing a dishonest colleague.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы слышала, что он сделал с Иваном?Ty slyshala, chto on sdelal s Ivanom?Did you hear what he did to Ivan?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, это просто ужасно.Da, eto prosto uzhasno.Yes, it is just terrible.
- Дмитрий DmitryКакой же он подле́ц!Kakoy zhe on podlets!What a piece of scum he is!
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ полностью с тобой согласна, Дмитрий.Ya polnost'yu s toboy soglasna, Dmitry.I completely agree with you, Dmitry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scum” translations and entries шваль, сброд, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
