хер

Russian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key):

Etymology 1

Euphemistic form of хуй (xuj), see etymology 2 below. Compare eff.

• Possibly from German Herr (“mister, sir”).

Noun

хер • (xer) m inan or m anim (genitive хе́ра or хера́^*, nominative plural херы́, genitive plural херо́в) (* See usage notes.)

1. (vulgar, slang) dick, cock
2. (vulgar, slang, derogatory) dick, contemptible person

Usage notes

• When used in the expressions ни хера́ (ni xerá) and до хера́ (do xerá), the last syllable should be stressed.
• In the expressions на́ хер (ná xer) and по́ херу (pó xeru), the prepositions should be stressed.
• It is sometimes considered a milder version or euphemism for хуй (xuj), especially in all vulgar idiomatic expressions, not necessarily involving the direct meaning "penis". E.g. "хер" is used more often in dubbing or subtitles than "хуй", to make phrases sound less crude or vulgar.

Declension

Synonyms

• хуй (xuj)

Derived terms

Descendants

• Armenian: խեռ (xeṙ)

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Old Church Slavonic хѣръ (xěrŭ), of uncertain origin: Possibilities include:

• Alternative spelling of Old Church Slavonic сѣръ (sěrŭ, “gray”)
• An abbreviation of Old Church Slavonic хероувимъ (xeruvimŭ, “cherubim”), from Ancient Greek χερουβίμ (kheroubím), from Hebrew כְּרוּבִים (kərūḇīm), plural of כְּרוּב (kərūḇ).
• From Ancient Greek χαῖρε (khaîre, “welcome”).

Noun

хер • (xer) m inan (genitive хе́ра or хера́, nominative plural херы́, genitive plural херо́в)

1. (archaic, historical) the name of the letter Х, х

Declension

Alternative forms

• хѣръ (xěr) — Pre-reform orthography (1918)

Derived terms

• похе́рить (poxéritʹ)