Russian · Insults
Дурак!
durak
doo-RAHK · /dʊˈrak/
Idiot / fool
2/5 Bar-safe
coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances
Literally
"Fool"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
The foundational Russian insult, learned in kindergarten. Feminine form "dura" (a woman/thing that's stupid) actually lands a touch harsher in practice. Mostly mild and can even be fond ("nu ty durak" said with a grin), but "durak" hurled in a real fight still means it.
Heard in the wild
Ты что, дурак? Так нельзя делать!
Are you an idiot? You can't do that!
Where it lands
Russia (universal)
Quick answers
- What does "Дурак!" mean?
- In Russian, "Дурак!" means "Idiot / fool". Literally it's "Fool". The foundational Russian insult, learned in kindergarten. Feminine form "dura" (a woman/thing that's stupid) actually lands a touch harsher in practice. Mostly mild and can even be fond ("nu ty durak" said with a grin), but "durak" hurled in a real fight still means it.
- Is "Дурак!" 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 "Дурак!"?
- Say it "doo-RAHK" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: dʊˈrak.
Related in Russian
Иди в баню! idi v banyu ee-DEE v BAH-nyoo Get lost! / Buzz off! (gentle) Понты ponty pahn-TIH Show-off posturing / all flash, no substance Придурок! pridurok pree-DOO-rahk Moron / dumbass Дебил! debil dye-BEEL Moron / retard-tier insult Балбес balbes bahl-BYES Goofball / dolt Тупица tupitsa TOO-pee-tsah Dimwit / slow one
The same idea, elsewhere
Via concepts like "You idiot".
- French Con Idiot / dumbass — the single most useful insult in French
- German Arsch Arse / ass — and the second great compound-engine of German
- Greek μαλάκας Asshole / idiot — OR — dude / mate. The single most important word in Greek.
- Italian Stronzo! Asshole! / Bastard!
- Japanese ばか Idiot / dummy / stupid
- Korean 바보 Dummy / silly — the soft, safe, often affectionate 'idiot.'
- Polish debil Moron / idiot — the standard hard 'you idiot.'
- Portuguese Otário Sucker / gullible fool / mug
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