ах ты сволочь
akh ty svoloch'
The English phrase "you bastard" can be translated into Russian as ах ты сволочь (akh ty svoloch').
The phrase ах ты сволочь is a colloquial insult used to express anger, contempt or sometimes mock frustration.
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter Ты подлец or Ты ублюдок, which are both informal ways to say "You bastard."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ах ты сволочь is a colloquial expression. Other informal variations include Ты подлец and Ты ублюдок.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun сволочь is grammatically a feminine noun, but it is used to address both men and women.
How do you pronounce it?
akh ty svoloch'
Did you know?
- The word сволочь is derived from the verb волочь, meaning 'to drag' or 'to haul'. It originally described a pile of miscellaneous rubbish or debris dragged together in one place.
- In modern Russian slang, сволочь can sometimes be used among very close friends in a teasing, ironic way. In this specific context, it functions more like 'you rascal' than a genuine expression of hatred.
- Russian has a wide range of 'bastard' equivalents where подлец focuses on a lack of honor and ублюдок implies a genetic or moral monstrosity.
Examples in context
- Ты подлец! Почему ты это сделал?You bastard! Why did you do that?
- Ах ты сволочь, ты забрал мой телефон!Akh ty svoloch', ty zabral moy telefon!You bastard, you took my phone!
- Ах ты сволочь, зачем ты это сделал?Akh ty svoloch', zachem ty eto sdelal?You bastard, why did you do that?
- Ах ты сволочь, я тебе этого не прощу.Akh ty svoloch', ya tebe etogo ne proshchu.You bastard, I won't forgive you for this.
Example conversation
Sergey is angry because Anastasia lied to him.
- Сергей SergeyАх ты сволочь, ты всё мне наврала!Akh ty svoloch', ty vsyo mne navrala!You bastard, you lied to me about everything!
- Анастасия AnastasiaСергей, не кричи на меня так.Sergey, ne krichi na menya tak.Sergey, don't yell at me like that.
- Сергей SergeyТы вела себя ужасно.Ty vela sebya uzhasno.You behaved terribly.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПрости меня, я не хотела причинить боль.Prosti menya, ya ne khotela prichinit' bol'.Forgive me, I didn't want to cause pain.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ах, сволочь, ты, CC BY-SA 4.0.
