единоро́г
jedinorógmasculine
The Russian word for unicorn is единоро́г (jedinoróg).
единоро́г refers to the mythical, horse-like creature.
Meaning: mythical horselike creature (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound consisting of едино- (one) and -рог (horn), literally meaning 'one-horn'.
How does it change in a sentence?
единоро́г is a masculine noun. It changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. For example, it becomes единоро́га when used in the genitive case, such as to indicate 'of a unicorn'.
How do you pronounce it?
jedinoróg
Did you know?
- Unlike in English, where 'unicorn' is almost exclusively a fantasy creature, Russian historical texts once used единоро́г to refer to the rhinoceros.
- In Russian, единоро́г is used to describe a startup company valued at over one billion dollars, just as 'unicorn' is used in English business terminology.
- Russian literature and folklore often blend the единоро́г with the 'Karkadann', a mythical creature from Arabic legends that was believed to be a real animal.
Examples in context
- Дочка рисует картинки с единорожками.My daughter is drawing pictures of unicorns.
- Посмотри, какой красивый единорог!Look at what a beautiful unicorn!
- Сон про единорогов принёс ей удачу.The dream about unicorns brought her good luck.
- Купи мне мягкую игрушку единорожку!Buy me a soft unicorn toy!
- Единоро́г это волшебное существо.Edinorog eto volshebnoye sushchestvo.A unicorn is a magical creature.
- Она нарисовала красивого единоро́га.Ona narisovala krasivogo edinoroga.She drew a beautiful unicorn.
- В этой сказке живёт единоро́г.V etoy skazke zhivyot edinorog.A unicorn lives in this fairy tale.
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are looking at a child's drawing.
- Александр AleksandrЧто это за существо на рисунке?Chto eto za sushchestvo na risunke?What is this creature in the drawing?
- Ольга OlgaЭто розовый единоро́г.Eto rozovyy yedinorog.It is a pink unicorn.
- Александр AleksandrОчень милый единоро́г!Ochen' milyy yedinorog!A very cute unicorn!
- Ольга OlgaДа, дочке очень нравятся такие сказки.Da, dochke ochen' nravyatsya takiye skazki.Yes, my daughter really likes such fairy tales.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unicorn” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
