hi there! in my future au i have brewing, shane and ilya have a daughter, but im unsure whether to make her last name “hollander-rozanov” or “hollander-rozanova.” i have no idea the culture surrounding hyphenated russian-western last names.
also, the rest of her family (shane, ilya, and her brother) would be “hollander-rozanov”s and ig i dont want to… seperate her almost? its also the reason in my au that i made ilya’s name “hollander-rozanov” instead of “rozanov-hollander.”
also, thank you so much for this blog literally you guys are so cool <3
Because Russian is a very gendered language, all Russian last names ending in -ov have to be feminized, even in the case of hyphenated names.
It is the most common Russian last-name ending. In countries that were forcibly russified by the Soviet government (for example, Kazakhstan, where I am from), surnames of other origins were legally altered to 'sound more Russian' by adding the -ov ending.
For example, my maiden name, which I will obviously not disclose here, also ends in -ov. Therefore, according to Russian grammatical rules, all women in my family have their surnames ending in -ova, while all men in my family have their surnames ending in -ov.
We don't think of this difference as 'separation', because these are plain and simple grammatical rules. You have to remember that English is a lot more gender-neutral as a language than Russian is. Outside of having grammatical gender, most word classes (such as verbs and adjectives) in Russian receive gendered declensions. According to these rules, surnames have to be declined as well.
I don't think it's impossible to leave the last name undeclined in isolated cases, such as hyphenated names. Some couples might wish to forgo grammatical rules, but if that's what you're going for in your story, you might need to come up with a believable justification. Ilya, who has Russian as his L1, would likely be disturbed by the grammatical discrepancy. It sounds incorrect.
Hopefully I've answered your question, but you can always leave a note or send another ask if my response was insufficient
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As promised, here is the extensive post on Russian diminutives that will hopefully answer the questions plaguing most writers in the HR fandom.
Let's start with a definition.
Russian diminutives are modified forms of nouns, adjectives, and names that typically convey smallness, affection, or emotional attitude (this can include even negative feelings, such as disgust or contempt).
Native speakers use diminutives constantly in everyday speech; they are an essential part of the Russian language. Understanding them is crucial if you're aiming to write natural-sounding Russian or are working with Russian-speaking characters.
I will explain the very basics of Russian diminutives, but note that in this post, I will mostly be focusing on name diminutives, as I find them to be most relevant for fanfiction writing. Noun and adjective diminutives require at least a minimal understanding of the Russian language (ie declension to understand suffix formation), so I will only give brief notes. There will also be HR specific examples.
Importance of Russian Diminutives
As stated earlier, understanding Russian diminutives is crucial for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they are extremely frequent in everyday speech. Native speakers use them constantly; it's almost an unconscious process. In casual conversations, native Russian speakers are more likely to use diminutive forms rather than standard forms.
Here are a couple of examples.
Example 1: Instead of saying ‘подожди минуту’/podozhdi minutu/(‘wait a minute’), a native Russian speaker is more likely to say ‘подожди минутку’/podozhdi minutku(‘wait a little minute’)
Example 2: ‘хочешь чаю?’/hochesh’ chayu/(‘want tea?’) = ‘хочешь чайку?’/hochesh’ chaiku/(‘want some tea?’)
Example 3: ‘принеси воды’/prinesi vody/(‘bring me water’) = ‘принеси водички’/prinesi vodichki/(‘bring me some water’)
Russian diminutives also hold subtle emotional nuances that English would require multiple words or changing your tone of voice to convey.
It is important to note that while diminutives are extremely common, they are generally more appropriate in informal contexts. However, due to formal/informal boundaries being quite blurry in Russian (I'm referring specifically to speech and language), they can sometimes unconsciously bleed into formal contexts as well. Using too many diminutives in formal contexts (for example, a job interview) can be seen as inappropriate or unprofessional, but usually it would be easy enough to brush off.
Basic Meanings
In English, diminutives are mostly applied to proper names and certain nouns. When applied to names, their primary function is to imply affection, and when applied to nouns, smallness. Generally, when English-speaking people hear the word ‘diminutive’, they think of shortened, informal forms or forms that are used to express that something is cute/adorable/small.
Diminutives in Russian, however, can carry a huge range of other meanings. Russian diminutives ≠ smallness/affection. Their semantic use is context-dependent.
Meaning 1: Physical Smallness
Literally, a small version of something.
Example 1: стул/stul/chair = стульчик/stul’chik/little chair
Example 2: вилка/vilka/fork = вилочка/vilochka/little fork
Example 3: кусок/kusok/piece of something (cake, pie) = кусочек/kusochek/small piece
Meaning 2: Affection or Endearment
Example 1: мама/mama/mom = мамочка/mamochka/mommy
Example 2: собака/sobaka/dog = собачка/sobachka/doggy
Example 3: сын/syn/son = сыночек/synochek/sonny
Meaning 3: Diminishment or Softening
Sometimes, diminutives are used to minimise/de-escalate a situation, make requests sound less direct, or generally make one seem more sympathetic.
Example 1: дайте хлеба/dayte hleba/give me some bread = дайте хлебушка/dayte hlebushka/give me some bread (softer request)
Example 2: у меня есть вопрос/u menya est’ vopros/I have a question = вопросик/voprosik/little question (minimises importance or relieves pressure)
Example 3: у меня есть проблема/u menya est’ problema/I have a problem = проблемка/problemka/little problem (downplays severity of the situation)
Meaning 4: Sympathy
In this context, diminutives are used to express compassion or pity for someone. However, they can also be self-referential, for example, when complaining of physical distress. Most frequently used by and to refer to young children.
Example 1: бедный/bednyi/poor thing = бедненький/bednen’kyi/poor little thing
Example 2: рука болит?/ruka bolt?/your hand hurts? = ручка болит?/ruchka bolit?/your poor little hand is hurting?
Meaning 4: Contempt or Sarcasm
Tone of voice and context are important to determine whether a diminutive is used contemptuously, but there are diminutive forms that are sarcastic/ironic by default.
Example 1: умный/umnyi/smart = умник/umnik/smart one (exclusively sarcastic, like smartass in English)
Example 2: человек/chelovek/person = человечек/chelovechek/little person (dismissive, haughty)
Meaning 5: Intensification
Certain diminutives are used to intensify your words, rather than soften them. They typically make the original word longer as well (Sort of counterintuitive, I know).
Example 1: огромный/ogromnyi/huge = огроменный/ogromenyi/really huge
Example 2: злой/zloy/angry = злющий/zlyushyi/really angry
Noun and Adjective Diminutives
Russian noun diminutives can be broadly separated into three categories: first-degree diminutives, double diminutives, and irregulars.
Russian has three grammatical genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. The suffix applied to create a diminutive form of a word is therefore determined based on the grammatical gender of said word.
Since noun diminutive formation requires at least a basic understanding of Russian grammar, it would be largely pointless to list every single possible suffix here. If you’re planning to use noun/adjective diminutives, preferably ask a native what the correct form is.
Double noun diminutives are formed similarly, only in this case, two diminutive suffixes are stacked. Double diminutive forms are even more intense in emotional content and are often used when talking to children. Double diminutives aren’t used nearly as often as first-degree diminutives; they’re reserved for particular moments and can even sound humorous/overly saccharine.
Irregular noun diminutives don’t follow standard formation rules, and some of them have even become part of standard speech (no longer considered a diminutive).
Adjectives can also take diminutive forms, usually expressing a slight degree of affection. However, in context, they can also become humorous/ironic/contemptuous.
Intensifying forms, which I’ve mentioned earlier, also only apply to adjectives.
Name Diminutives
Name diminutives are perhaps one of the most crucial aspects of the Russian language. Each Russian name has multiple diminutive variants, ranging in tone from affectionate to crude. The correct form to use is determined by social context and your relationship to the person.
For the sake of clarity, l identify three categories of name diminutives: general (or basic), affectionate, and rough (or crude).
General Name Diminutives
General name diminutives are linguistically predetermined shortened (not always) variants of a given Russian name.
They are most similar to nicknames in English, but where nicknames in English can vary and are often chosen by the person themselves, in Russian, they are fixed and rigid. For example, two English-speaking people with the same name might have different nickname forms (ex: Charles = Charlie or Chuck), while in Russian, two people sharing a name will always have the same general name diminutive.
General diminutive forms are, most of the time, neutral and can be used in any informal context. However, they are still used in certain formal contexts, such as at school (this depends on the personality of the speaker and the rapport they have with their students/colleagues).
Full names are only used in very formal situations or when you’re trying to purposefully demonstrate superiority or distance. For example, my parents would only resort to my full name* when they meant to scold me. Otherwise, I was always referred to by my general diminutive.
(*I no longer go by my given name)
In fact, most Russian-speaking people treat their general diminutive as their actual name, because that’s how we are referred to in almost every context. Most even introduce themselves as their general diminutive, not their full name, when talking to peers.
Many Russian-speaking parents take into consideration the general diminutive when picking names for their children.
Note: names that are monosyllabic or, with their last syllable ending in a stressed vowel, do not have general diminutives. Ilya is an example of such a name — there is no general diminutive.
Here are some examples of general diminutives of common Russian names (HR characters included):
Alexei = Lyosha
Grigori = Grisha
Alexander = Sasha
Boris = Borya
Viktor = Vitya
Dmitri = Dima
Svetlana = Sveta
Irina = Ira
Tatiana = Tanya
Maria = Masha
Anastasia = Nastya
Elizaveta = Liza
Ekaterina = Katya
Affectionate Name Diminutives
Affectionate diminutives, like their name implies, are used to show endearment, care, and intimacy. A generous number of affectionate diminutive forms are used, showing varying degrees and types of affection.
If a Russian name has a general diminutive, the affectionate diminutive is formed by attaching an affectionate suffix to the general form. If the name does not have a general diminutive, an affectionate suffix is simply attached to the full name.
Affectionate name diminutives are mostly used by relatives, close friends, and lovers. Sometimes, figures of authority, like teachers and parents, can use them too.
The choice between different diminutive forms depends on family tradition, regional variation, and personal preference. All of them express affection, but some speakers might disagree on the specific flavour of affection they embody.
If you’re unsure which suffix applies to any given name, double-check with a native, because in most cases, they are linguistically predetermined. You wouldn’t be able to figure out which suffix applies to what name with grammatical rules alone.
Here are some examples of affectionate name diminutives:
Ilya = Ilyusha, Ilyushenka (very affectionate, motherly). Some speakers find the -shenka form to be emasculating and inapplicable to an adult man, but as I stated earlier, this is dictated by family tradition or simply speaker personality. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with either of these forms. They can be used by either a romantic partner (Shane, in this case), a parent, or a close friend (for instance, Sveta).
Alexei = Lyoshen’ka, Lyoshik
Grigori = Grishen’ka, Grishulya
Alexander = Sashen’ka, Sashulya, Sashulechka (all three very affectionate), Sashok (playful, masculine only*), Shura (alternate diminutive), Shurochka
Ekaterina = Katen’ka, Katyusha (technically folk form, but still super common), Katyushen’ka, Katyulya
(*The general name diminutive 'Sasha' is gender neutral. It is the diminutive form of both Alexander (masculine) and Alexandra (feminine).)
Rough Name Diminutives
Rough/crude diminutives express familiarity that is bordering on disrespectful or is genuinely contemptful, depending on context and intonation.
Crude diminutives aren’t always offensive — they can be affectionate/friendly among close friends (this especially applies to men). It all depends on context and the speakers’ relationship dynamic.
If said in the wrong tone, by a stranger, or by someone who is your superior (or positions themselves as your superior), they can be genuinely insulting.
I advise you to take a look at Russian literature and see how crude diminutives are often used there to portray social dynamics.
Common rough suffixes include: -ka, -ok, -an, -ha
The -ka suffix is the most common one. I often hear this form from parents or older siblings; it’s used to establish authority and superiority. For example, in HR, Alexei calls Ilya ‘Ilyushka’ while simultaneously using the f-slur on him. This suffix is used to position Alexei as superior to Ilya, demonstrate condescension and contempt.
The -ha suffix is particularly masculine, mostly used amongst a group of male friends. Very dudebro, if you will. However, this suffix can apply to all names, masculine or feminine. Something that would absolutely be commonly used in a hockey team’s locker room.
Here are some example of rough/crude name diminutives:
Ilya = Ilyushka, Ilyuha
Alexander = Sashka
Alexei = Lyoha
Grigori = Grishka, Griha
Svetlana = Svetka
Irina = Irka
Maria = Mashka
Elizaveta = Lizok
Anastasia = Nastyuha
Ekaterina = Kat’ka, Katyuha
To conclude this section, the formality of Russian names goes something like this:
Full name + patronymic = very formal, professional/administrative contexts
Full first name = formal, distant
General diminutive = standard among peers, neutral/friendly
Affectionate diminutive = close relationships (platonic or otherwise)
Double affectionate diminutive = very close relationship
Rough diminutive = very close friendship or disrespect
Common Mistakes
Do not overuse diminutives. They are used frequently, but selectively. I doubt most people here will be using something other than name diminutives, but it applies to those as well. It will not sound natural if an affectionate diminutive is used every time a character is addressed. Stick to general diminutives when applicable, and use affectionate diminutives sparingly.
If you’re using affectionate petnames (they are often diminutives, such as ‘kotenok’), make sure your gender agreement is correct. If you are unsure, ask for a native’s help, but generally, it helps to check the grammatical gender of the word and adjust accordingly.
Not every noun/adjective/name takes every suffix naturally. Some diminutive forms are common, while others sound unnatural even if grammatically correct. Do not try to create affectionate diminutives for Western-sounding names, because the grammatical rules do not apply. The list here should be sufficient when writing for HR, so stick to forms that have been listed and ask if unsure.
There we are! If you still have questions, or if you would like to read more about noun/adjective diminutives, leave a note below or send an ask. Thank you everyone for reading and happy writing <3
do you think we could get a list of russian terms of endearment/confessions of love? bonus if we could get some more platonic terms that svetlana and ilya would use between them/familial terms that ilya would use with any future kids?
so glad this is up and running now! will be such a massive help!
before mod ada comes in with an actual answer to your question I want you to know that as soon as we got this ask we all ran to the discord 😳 love ur blog queen -mod yubnub
Hello!
I have already covered Russian petnames/terms of endearment in a big post on my own blog. The list in it is, of course, not exhaustive, but it features every petname I could think of that would be applicable when writing Hollanov. The semantics and usage of every petname are elaborated upon, so you can pick whichever one best suits your needs.
Here is the link: https://www.tumblr.com/tteukbyeol/808183914091937792/extensive-list-of-russian-petnames
Since you were asking about platonic terms of endearment in particular, I would like to add that Russian is a very context-dependent language. Almost every petname (with a few exceptions that are specified in the post) can land as platonic depending on numerous factors, such as the speaker’s personality and what kind of relationship the speakers share. Some petnames are more frequently used by relatives or friends, but that doesn’t make them inherently platonic. These subtleties of usage are detailed in the post.
When picking a petname in relation to HR specifically, I think it’s important to think about the characters’ personalities and the kind of relationship dynamic you’re trying to portray. Once you have a clear understanding of that, you will be able to pick the best petname with the help of my list.
Another important aspect of writing affectionate Russian is diminutives. Russian diminutives, in terms of linguistics, don’t really function the same way as they do in English. In English, diminutives are mostly applied as terms of endearment. They carry the semantic implication of intimacy and closeness, even if the diminutive is, for example, a nickname. This is not the case in Russian. I’ve noticed that russian diminutives have been a big source of confusion for English-speaking writers in the fandom, but I will make a separate post about them for the sake of clarity and ease of access.
Now, love confessions are a little trickier. I will paraphrase from an ask response I gave a few weeks ago.
Generally speaking, ‘я тебя люблю’ (ya tebya lyublyu), which is respectively ‘I love you’ in Russian, is not a phrase that Russian-speakers use very often. Within the context of familial relationships, it is barely used at all. It’s just not culturally appropriate. I hope to elaborate on this more in future posts, but what you have to know about people who grew up in the Soviet Union is that they are very emotionally reserved (you could even say repressed). There is no talk of feelings; vulnerability is looked down upon, if not actively punished. It’s not considered valuable. People were taught to move through life in this emotionally distant manner, then taught their children, who taught their children, etc. This is especially apparent in the case of Ilya Rozanov, if we were to look back at HR.
Unfortunately, this emotional distance can bleed into romantic and platonic relationships as well. Younger generations are definitely trying to learn how to be emotionally vulnerable, but it’s still a rocky road.
So, as a rule of thumb, the full phrase ‘я тебя люблю’ is reserved for first confessions, serious/life-threatening situations, and instances that require intense vulnerability for successful communication. It holds A LOT of emotional weight, and cannot be used casually, like in English. Many Russian-speaking people can even grow suspicious or doubtful of partners who say ‘I love you’ too often — it can be perceived as performative, manipulative, or untrustworthy. We often prefer to express our affection through tangible actions, such as gift-giving and acts of service.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that we never say ‘I love you’. Casual expressions of love do exist between friends and committed partners, but typically, people favour the shortened form: 'люблю тебя' (lyublyu tebya) or simply 'люблю' (lyublyu). Both of these translate to 'love you'. These phrases are used a lot more casually; in text, at the end of a phone call, or simply throughout the day. I find their use even more frequent in my platonic relationships than in romantic ones.
I think it’s fair to assume that this difference can create tensions in multicultural relationships. Some Russian-speaking people have more ease adapting, but still prefer saying ‘I love you’ in English only, or at least, saying it casually. I tend to think it would be easier for Ilya to say ‘I love you’ in English in casual contexts.
That’s all for now. Stick around for the Russian diminutives post, and in the meantime, feel free to send asks if you have any other questions about Russian language/culture.
Well, all the guides explain how to install it on a PC, but, i use Citra on my phone, so... How should i do it?
Not my wheelhouse, sorry. I've never used mobile Citra and a guide I might make for my specific phone may not be the same for yours. There must be a mods folder. Check around on r/Citra.
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Hi! This is Mikka from the discord. Can I claim the rest of the Olivia/Miriel family that isn't done- so Olivia/Laurent PC, Miriel/Inigo PC, and Laurent and Inigo siblings?
