овца́
ovcáfeminine
The English word "sheep" is translated into Russian as овца́ (ovcá). Wiktionary also lists ове́чка (ovéčka).
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| овца́ | ovcá | feminine |
| ове́чка | ovéčka | feminine |
The term refers to the animal. The form ове́чка is a diminutive, used to express affection or to refer to a smaller, younger sheep.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of овца́ is овцы́.
How do you pronounce it?
ovcá
Did you know?
- The Russian phrase стричь овец 'to shear sheep' can be used idiomatically to mean taking advantage of people or exploiting them.
- Calling someone a баран 'ram' is a common Russian insult used to describe a person who is stubborn or unintelligent.
- In Russian, there is a linguistic distinction between овца́, which refers to the species or a female sheep, and баран, which specifically refers to a ram.
Examples in context
- Мне нравятся овцы.I like sheep.
- Эта овца́ очень пушистая.Eta ovtsá ochen' pushistaya.This sheep is very fluffy.
- Белая овца́ ест траву.Belaya ovtsá est travu.A white sheep is eating grass.
- У фермера есть одна овца́.U fermera est' odna ovtsá.The farmer has one sheep.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Alexander are visiting a farm.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСмотри, Александр, там овца́!Smotri, Aleksandr, tam ovtsa!Look, Alexander, there is a sheep!
- Александр AleksandrОна выглядит очень мило.Ona vyglyadit ochen' milo.It looks very cute.
- Анастасия AnastasiaМожно погладить эту овцу́?Mozhno pogladit' etu ovtsu?Can we pet this sheep?
- Александр AleksandrДа, я думаю, можно.Da, ya dumayu, mozhno.Yes, I think we can.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheep” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
