зо́мби
zómbimasculine
The English word 'zombie' is зо́мби (zómbi) in Russian.
The term is used to refer to the undead. You may also see the phrase живой труп, which means 'living corpse'.
Meaning: the undead (noun)
Which one should you use?
While зо́мби is the standard term, Восставший из мертвых can be used as a more formal description, translating to 'one who has risen from the dead'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of мертвец is мертвецы.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is zómbi.
Did you know?
- While зо́мби is a modern loanword, the traditional Russian concept of the 'undead' is often linked to the упырь, a creature similar to a ghoul or vampire from Slavic folklore.
- Russian uses the word зомбировать as a verb meaning 'to brainwash'. This usage is extremely common in discussions about media and propaganda.
- In Russian pop culture and gaming, you might see the term зомбик used. This uses a diminutive suffix to make the zombie sound cute, small or less threatening.
Examples in context
- Этот зо́мби выглядит очень страшно.Etot zombi vyglyadit ochen' strashno.This zombie looks very scary.
- В фильме был один зо́мби.V fil'me byl odin zombi.There was one zombie in the movie.
- Как победить зо́мби в игре?Kak pobedit' zombi v igre?How do you defeat the zombie in the game?
Example conversation
A man and a woman are talking about a horror movie.
- Мария MariaТебе не страшно смотреть на этого зо́мби?Tebe ne strashno smotret' na etogo zombi?Aren't you afraid to look at this zombie?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, этот зо́мби кажется мне смешным.Net, etot zombi kazhetsya mne smeshnym.No, this zombie seems funny to me.
- Мария MariaДмитрий, ты слишком смелый.Dmitriy, ty slishkom smelyy.Dmitry, you are too brave.
- Дмитрий DmitryПросто это всего лишь кино.Prosto eto vsego lish' kino.It is just a movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zombie” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
