червь
červʹ[t͡ɕerfʲ]masculine
The English word 'worm' can be translated into Russian as червь (červʹ), червя́к or глист depending on the context.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| червь | červʹ | [t͡ɕerfʲ] (narrow) | masculine |
| червя́к | červják | masculine | |
| глист | helminth | [ɡlʲist] (narrow) | masculine |
Russian uses different terms depending on whether you are discussing a scientific specimen, a common garden creature or a parasite.
Which one should you use?
червь is the term used in scientific or literary contexts. In contrast, червя́к is the standard word for small, common worms such as earthworms used in gardening or fishing. The word глист is used specifically to refer to parasitic worms, often used in a medical or informal way to describe helminths found in the body.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
červʹ
Did you know?
- The word червь shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the English word 'kermes', which refers to a type of scale insect used to produce a red dye.
- In many Russian idiomatic expressions, червь is used to describe a feeling of 'gnawing' or 'corroding' something from within, such as a guilty conscience.
- While глист is a biological term for a parasite, calling someone a глист is a sharp insult suggesting they are a social parasite living off others.
Examples in context
- Червь под кожей прощупывается как болезненный тяж.You can feel the worm as a painful strand under the skin.This sentence is useful for describing how a червь feels under the skin.Tatoeba #1521351 by corvard, translation #871985 by corvard
- Учёный исследовал свойства червя.The scientist studied the properties of the worm.
- Этот длинный червь ползёт по земле.Etot dlinnyy cherv' polzet po zemle.This long worm is crawling on the ground.
- Маленький червь живёт в этой почве.Malen'kiy cherv' zhivyot v etoy pochve.A small worm lives in this soil.
Example conversation
Olga and Alexander are gardening in the backyard.
- Ольга OlgaСмотри, Александр, какой большой червь!Smotri, Aleksandr, kakoy bol'shoy cherv'!Look, Alexander, what a big worm!
- Александр AleksandrДа, он очень полезен для сада.Da, on ochen' polezen dlya sada.Yes, it is very useful for the garden.
- Ольга OlgaЯ не хочу его трогать.Ya ne khochu yego trogat'.I don't want to touch it.
- Александр AleksandrНе бойся, Ольга, он безобиден.Ne boysya, Ol'ga, on bezobiden.Don't be afraid, Olga, it is harmless.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “worm” translations and entries червь, глист, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries глист, червь, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
