ты крыса
ty krysa
The English phrase "you're a rat" is translated into Russian as ты крыса (ty krysa).
Which one should you use?
While ты крыса specifically uses the word for rat, other phrases can be used to express similar insults. For example, Ты подлец is an informal way to call someone a despicable person, whereas Вы предатель implies betrayal and Вы подлец suggests someone is a despicable person without using the term "rat" explicitly.
How do you pronounce it?
ty krysa
Did you know?
- The word крыса may have evolved from a Proto-Slavic term meaning 'blood-sucker'.
- The term крыса is used in Russian gaming culture to describe a player who hides in a corner and waits to ambush others in a cowardly way.
- In a Russian prison context, a крыса is someone who steals from other inmates, a crime considered far more serious than stealing from guards.
Examples in context
- Ты крыса, раз всё рассказал.Ty krysa, raz vsyo rasskazal.You're a rat for telling everything.
- Не смей мне врать, ты крыса!Ne smey mne vrat', ty krysa!Don't you dare lie to me, you're a rat!
- Я знал, что ты крыса.Ya znal, chto ty krysa.I knew you were a rat.
Example conversation
Two former friends are arguing after a betrayal.
- Мария MariaКак ты мог так поступить?Kak ty mog tak postupit'?How could you do that?
- Александр AleksandrЯ просто хотел как лучше.Ya prosto khotel kak luchshe.I just wanted what was best.
- Мария MariaТы крыса, Александр.Ty krysa, Aleksandr.You're a rat, Alexander.
- Александр AleksandrПрости меня, Мария.Prosti menya, Mariya.Forgive me, Maria.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries крыса, ты, CC BY-SA 4.0.
