козёл

козёл is a Russian masculine noun.

• Literal meaning: a male goat (a billy goat).
• Common insulting meaning: jerk, asshole, bastard, or idiot, depending on the tone and context. It is rude but not usually the strongest Russian insult.
• Grammar: singular nominative; plural is козлы (goats; jerks).

Usage notes

The literal animal meaning is neutral. When aimed at a person, it is an insult, often used for someone seen as selfish, annoying, unfaithful, or badly behaved. The feminine counterpart is коза (“female goat”), though it has somewhat different connotations.

Related words and variations

• козлик — little goat; can sound affectionate or playful.
• козлина — “big goat”; a stronger, more contemptuous insult.
• козёл отпущения — “scapegoat,” literally “goat of absolution/release.”
• Rough English equivalents include jerk, douchebag, asshole, and bastard; the best choice depends on how harsh the situation is.

Etymology and background

The word comes from the Common Slavic root for “goat,” related to words in other Slavic languages, such as Polish kozieł in older usage and Czech kozel. Using animal names as insults is widespread across languages; the insulting sense likely draws on cultural stereotypes associated with goats.

Examples

1. На ферме живёт козёл. — A male goat lives on the farm.
2. Он опять не вернул деньги — ну и козёл. — He still did not pay the money back—what a jerk.
3. Не называй его козлом при детях. — Do not call him an asshole in front of the children.
4. Козёл съел листья с дерева. — The goat ate the leaves from the tree.
5. Этот козёл бросил меня без объяснений. — That jerk dumped me without an explanation.
6. В этой истории его сделали козлом отпущения. — They made him the scapegoat in this situation.