зоопа́рк
zoopárkmasculine
The English phrase "zoo" can be translated into Russian using several terms, most commonly зоопа́рк (zoopárk). Wiktionary also lists зоологи́ческий сад (zoologíčeskij sad) and зооса́д (zoosád).
Meaning: park where live animals are exhibited (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| зоопа́рк | zoopárk | masculine |
| зоологи́ческий сад | zoologíčeskij sad | masculine |
| зооса́д | zoosád | masculine |
| звери́нец | zverínec | masculine |
All the provided terms refer to a park where live animals are exhibited.
What does it mean word for word?
The term зоологи́ческий сад literally translates to "zoological garden". The term звери́нец is derived from the word зверь, meaning "beast" or "wild animal".
Which one should you use?
Зоопа́рк is the most common, standard term for a modern zoo, whereas зоологи́ческий сад is more formal and often used in official names of institutions. Звери́нец functions as a term for a menagerie or beast-house.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
zoopárk
Did you know?
- While зоопарк refers to the facility, the term зверинец is often used metaphorically to describe a chaotic group of people or a noisy household.
- Historically, a зверинец was not just a park for the public, but a private collection of exotic animals kept by the Russian Tsars to show power and prestige.
- The word сад in зоологи́ческий сад shares a common ancestor with the English verb 'set', both originating from a root meaning to sit or to place.
Examples in context
- Хотите пойти в зоопарк в выходной?Do you want to go to the zoo on the weekend?
- Давай сходим в зоосад и посмотрим на жирафов!Let's go to the zoo and look at the giraffes!
- Этот зоопа́рк очень большой.Etot zoopark ochen' bol'shoy.This zoo is very large.
- Мы пойдём в зоопа́рк завтра.My poydyom v zoopark zavtra.We will go to the zoo tomorrow.
- В зоопа́рке много экзотических животных.V zooparke mnogo ekzoticheskikh zhivotnykh.There are many exotic animals in the zoo.
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a weekend outing.
- Мария MariaДмитрий, хочешь пойти в зоопа́рк?Dmitriy, khochesh' poyti v zoopark?Dmitry, do you want to go to the zoo?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, Мария, это отличная идея.Da, Mariya, eto otlichnaya ideya.Yes, Maria, that is a great idea.
- Мария MariaДавай встретимся у входа в зоопа́рк.Davay vstretimsya u vkhoda v zoopark.Let's meet at the zoo entrance.
- Дмитрий DmitryХорошо, я буду там в час.Khorosho, ya budu tam v chas.Okay, I will be there at one o'clock.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zoo” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries сад, CC BY-SA 4.0.
