жа́ба
žábafeminine
The Russian word for "toad" is жа́ба (žába).
жа́ба refers to an amphibian similar to a frog.
Meaning: amphibian similar to a frog (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
жа́ба is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is žába.
Did you know?
- The expression жа́ба душит (the toad is strangling me) is used when someone feels intense jealousy or is being too stingy with money. It describes that physical sensation of tightness when you are envious.
- In Russian folklore and fairy tales, the жа́ба is often portrayed as a symbol of greed and hoarding, unlike the 'frog prince' trope associated with лягу́шка.
- In Russian slang, calling someone a жа́ба is a harsh insult, implying the person is ugly, greedy, or unpleasant. It is quite different from the neutral biological term used for the animal.
Examples in context
- Я видел огромную жабу в пруду.I saw a huge toad in the pond.
- Эта жа́ба очень большая.Eta zhaba ochen' bol'shaya.This toad is very big.
- В саду прыгает зелёная жа́ба.V sadu prygayet zelyonaya zhaba.A green toad is jumping in the garden.
Example conversation
Maria and Andrey are walking in a park.
- Мария MariaСмотри, там под листком жа́ба!Smotri, tam pod listkom zhaba!Look, there is a toad under the leaf!
- Андрей AndreyОго, какая странная жа́ба.Ogo, kakaya strannaya zhaba.Wow, what a strange toad.
- Мария MariaОна кажется совсем безобидной.Ona kazhetsya sovsem bezobidnoy.She (it) seems completely harmless.
- Андрей AndreyДа, не бойся её.Da, ne boy'sya yeyo.Yes, don't be afraid of her.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toad” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
