Discover 20 Unique Words That Reveal Your Regional Roots
Explore fascinating regional words from across Russia that highlight the rich linguistic diversity shaped by geography and history. Learn expressions that locals use and what they reveal about cultural identity.
Russia stretches thousands of miles—from the Baltic shores of Kaliningrad to the Pacific coast of Vladivostok—offering the Russian language a remarkable advantage in diversity.
Our vast nation is truly one-of-a-kind: home to nearly 200 ethnic groups, celebrating New Year 11 times due to time zones, and experiencing temperature extremes that can vary by over 50 degrees Celsius between cities. These natural conditions and centuries of history have shaped unique regional traits across the country.
"While extensive academic work, including dictionaries, has described Russian dialects, the modern urban regional vocabulary remains less explored. A pioneering effort began in 2005, led by V.I. Belikov and V.P. Selegei, with the 'Languages of Russian Cities' dictionary project. Thousands of local words still await inclusion, offering rich material for linguists interested in contemporary language variation," explains Ivan Levin, junior research fellow at the V.V. Vinogradov Russian Language Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Based on responses from thousands across Russia, here is a captivating list of regional words and expressions that showcase the linguistic richness of our fellow citizens:
Rastyka – a scatterbrained or unlucky person (Astrakhan and Volgograd regions);
Fanfurik – a spirit-containing liquid in a small bottle, not intended for drinking but often consumed as alcohol (Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Samara, and Ulyanovsk regions);
Shushlayka – a small car (Zabaykalsky and Primorsky Krais, Kurgan region);
Otvorotka – a side road diverging from the main road (Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Murmansk regions, Republic of Karelia);
Lishkanut' – to exaggerate or overdo something (Altai Krai, Penza, Samara, Saratov regions);
Burogozit' – to make noise or cause a commotion (Omsk region, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra);
Trishki – sweatpants or training pants (Krasnoyarsk Krai);
Prul' – right-hand drive car (Amur region, Kamchatka Krai, Primorsky Krai, Sakhalin region, Khabarovsk Krai);
Khabzayka – a vocational or technical school (Kaliningrad, Murmansk regions, Republic of Karelia);
Badik – cane or walking stick (Volgograd, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Orenburg, Saratov, Tambov regions);
Iznakhratit' – to spoil or ruin (Irkutsk region, Krasnoyarsk Krai);
Anakom – instant noodles (Vladimir, Volgograd, Rostov, Saratov regions, Stavropol Krai);
Gachi – pant legs or trousers (Zabaykalsky Krai, Irkutsk region);
Turly – remote, hard-to-reach place (Smolensk region);
Mulda – trash container (Vologda, Kemerovo (Kuzbass), Udmurt Republic);
Sharovik – freeloader or moocher (Kamchatka Krai, Murmansk region);
Golbets – basement or cellar (Vologda, Perm Krai, Sverdlovsk region);
Bololo – chatterbox or blabbermouth (Ivanovo region);
Porato – very or extremely (Arkhangelsk region);
Chepizhi – thickets or dense bushes (Yaroslavl region).
Are you familiar with these words? What regional expressions would you add to this fascinating list?
Photo credit: Getty Images
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