Russian · The Basics
Зараза!
zaraza
zah-RAH-zah · /zɐˈrazə/
You pest! / Damn you! (affectionate-rough)
2/5 Bar-safe
coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances
Literally
"Infection / contagion"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
A wonderfully Russian move: calling someone a communicable disease. But the tone is usually more exasperated-fond than hostile — what you mutter at a cat that knocked over a glass, or a friend who ate the last pelmeni. Aimed hard at a stranger it sharpens, but it never leaves PG-13.
Heard in the wild
Ах ты зараза, опять опоздал!
Oh you pest, late again!
Where it lands
Russia (universal)
Quick answers
- What does "Зараза!" mean?
- In Russian, "Зараза!" means "You pest! / Damn you! (affectionate-rough)". Literally it's "Infection / contagion". A wonderfully Russian move: calling someone a communicable disease. But the tone is usually more exasperated-fond than hostile — what you mutter at a cat that knocked over a glass, or a friend who ate the last pelmeni. Aimed hard at a stranger it sharpens, but it never leaves PG-13.
- Is "Зараза!" offensive?
- It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
- How do you pronounce "Зараза!"?
- Say it "zah-RAH-zah" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: zɐˈrazə.
Related in Russian
Блин! blin BLEEN Damn! / Darn! / Shoot! Чёрт! chyort CHORT Damn! / Hell! Чёрт возьми! chyort voz'mi CHORT vahz-MEE Damn it! / For God's sake! Ё-моё! yo-moyo YO mah-YO Oh boy! / Geez! / Good grief! Ёлки-палки! yolki-palki YOL-kee PAHL-kee Good grief! / For heaven's sake! Иди в баню! idi v banyu ee-DEE v BAH-nyoo Get lost! / Buzz off! (gentle)
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