дурак is a Russian masculine noun meaning “fool” or “idiot.” It is a common insult, though its strength depends greatly on tone and context: among friends it can be teasing, but said angrily it is rude and offensive.
- Feminine form: дура — “fool; idiot” (addressed to a woman).
- Related adjective: дурацкий — “stupid,” “silly,” or “idiotic.”
- A milder English equivalent can be “silly,” while a harsher contextual equivalent may be “moron.”
- The word is old in Russian and other Slavic languages. It is also the name of the fool character in Russian folktales, especially Иван-дурак, traditionally rendered as “Ivan the Fool.”
Examples:
- Не будь дураком и возьми зонтик.
Do not be a fool and take an umbrella.
- Он назвал меня дураком во время ссоры.
He called me an idiot during the argument.
- Я чувствовал себя дураком, потому что забыл ключи.
I felt like a fool because I forgot my keys.
- Ты дурак, если думаешь, что это сработает.
You are an idiot if you think that will work.
- Не слушай его: он просто шутит, когда говорит «дурак».
Do not listen to him: he is just joking when he says “fool.”
