капец

Капец is an informal Russian exclamation meaning “damn,” “this is awful,” “this is a disaster,” or “we’re screwed,” depending on context. It expresses shock, frustration, dismay, or the sense that a situation has gone very badly.

It is colloquial and can be mildly vulgar in tone, though it is usually less harsh than stronger Russian profanity. In everyday speech, people also use it as a noun-like expression: капец can mean “the end,” “a total mess,” or “a hopeless situation.”

Related expressions include ужас (“terrible,” “horrible”), кошмар (“nightmare”), and пипец (“damn / disaster”), with пипец often sounding slightly more euphemistic. Historically, капец is connected to the idea of an “end” or “finish,” which explains phrases such as “that’s the end for us.”

Examples:

1. Капец, я забыл дома паспорт.
   I’m screwed—I forgot my passport at home.
2. Капец, автобус уже уехал.
   Damn, the bus has already left.
3. Если завтра экзамен, а я ничего не учил, то мне капец.
   If the exam is tomorrow and I studied nothing, I’m screwed.
4. Капец, сколько здесь людей!
   Damn, there are so many people here!
5. После такого дождя нашей поездке капец.
   After rain like that, our trip is ruined.