The Russian version of "Molly," when used as a colloquial term for a young woman or girl, is девушка (devushka).
Understanding "Molly" in Context
The English term "Molly" can carry several meanings, leading to different interpretations depending on the context:
- As a Proper Name: "Molly" is often used as a diminutive of names like Mary or Margaret. In Russian, the equivalents for these names would be Мария (Mariya) or Маргарита (Margarita), respectively.
- As a Colloquial Term for a Young Woman/Girl: This is the specific context addressed by the provided information, which links "molly {noun}" to "девушка {f} [coll.]". In this sense, "девушка" is the direct Russian equivalent.
- As a Street Name for MDMA (Ecstasy): In drug slang, "Molly" refers to the crystalline powder form of MDMA. There isn't a direct, single-word colloquial Russian equivalent for "Molly" in this specific drug context; terms like "экстази" (ecstasy) or "МДМА" (MDMA) are generally used.
This answer focuses on "Molly" in its colloquial sense referring to a person, aligning with the linguistic translation provided for "molly {noun}."
"Девушка" (Devushka): Meaning and Usage
Девушка (devushka) is a fundamental Russian word primarily translating to "girl" or "young woman." It is a feminine noun widely used in everyday conversation.
| Russian Term | Transliteration | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Девушка | Devushka | Girl / Young Woman | Colloquial, Common |
Key Aspects of "Девушка":
- Common Use: It is the standard term for a girl or young woman who is typically unmarried.
- Colloquial Nature: Similar to how "Molly" might be used informally in some English contexts to refer to a girl, "девушка" often carries a friendly or somewhat informal tone, especially when used as a form of address.
- Age Indication: It generally refers to someone from adolescence up to their late twenties or early thirties. Beyond that, terms like "женщина" (zhenshchina - woman) become more appropriate.
- Versatility: It can function as a simple noun (e.g., "Она девушка" - "She is a girl") or as a polite form of address (e.g., "Девушка!" when calling out to a young woman).
Examples of Usage:
- "Эта девушка очень умная." (Eta devushka ochen' umnaya.) - "This girl is very smart."
- "Извините, девушка, вы не поможете мне?" (Izvinite, devushka, vy ne pomozhete mne?) - "Excuse me, young woman, could you help me?" (A polite way to address an unfamiliar young woman.)
- "Он встретил милую девушку на вечеринке." (On vstretil miluyu devushku na vecherinke.) - "He met a nice young woman at the party."
For further understanding of the term "девушка," you can consult reputable Russian-English dictionaries, such as the entry on Wiktionary for девушка.
Why "Девушка" is the Russian Version
The connection between "Molly" and "девушка" arises from their shared informal usage to describe a female. Just as "Molly" might colloquially refer to a girl or young woman in certain English expressions, "девушка" serves as the primary and widely understood term for a young female in Russian. Its common and versatile application makes it the direct Russian equivalent for "Molly" in the context of a colloquial noun.
