душа

Belarusian

Etymology

From Old East Slavic доуша (duša, “soul”), from Proto-Slavic *duša.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [duˈʂa]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

душа́ • (dušá) f inan (genitive душы́, nominative plural ду́шы, genitive plural душ)

1. soul, spirit

Declension

Declension of душа́ (inan hard fem-form accent-d)

	singular	plural
nominative	душа́ dušá	ду́шы dúšy
genitive	душы́ dušý	душ duš
dative	душы́ dušý	ду́шам dúšam
accusative	душу́ dušú	ду́шы dúšy
instrumental	душо́й, душо́ю dušój, dušóju	ду́шамі dúšami
locative	душы́ dušý	ду́шах dúšax
count form	—	душы́1 dušý1

¹Used with the numbers 2, 3, 4 and higher numbers after 20 ending in 2, 3, and 4.

References

• “душа” in Belarusian–Russian dictionaries and Belarusian dictionaries at slounik.org

Bulgarian

Etymology 1

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *dʰews-

Proto-Indo-European *-yeh₂

Proto-Indo-European *dʰowsyeh₂

Proto-Balto-Slavic *dáusjāˀ

Proto-Slavic *duša

Old Church Slavonic доуша (duša)

Bulgarian душа

Inherited from Old Church Slavonic доуша (duša), from Proto-Slavic *duša.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [doˈʃa̟]

• Audio (Standard Bulgarian):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʃa
• Syllabification^(key): ду‧ша

Noun

душа́ • (dušá) f

1. soul (the immaterial, spiritual part of a person, often understood as distinct from the body)

   Тя вярваше, че душата на човека остава жива и след смъртта.

   Tja vjarvaše, če dušata na čoveka ostava živa i sled smărtta.

   She believed that a person’s soul remains alive even after death.

   В молитвата си той търсеше мир за своята измъчена душа.

   V molitvata si toj tărseše mir za svojata izmăčena duša.

   In his prayer, he sought peace for his tormented soul.

   Според старото поверие добрата душа намира път към светлината.

   Spored staroto poverie dobrata duša namira păt kăm svetlinata.

   According to the old belief, a good soul finds its way toward the light.

2. heart, spirit (a person’s inner emotional and moral life; the seat of feelings, thoughts, conscience, and character)

   Тежките думи го нараниха дълбоко в душата.

   Težkite dumi go naraniha dălboko v dušata.

   The harsh words wounded him deep in his heart.

   Тя носеше в душата си спомена за родното село.

   Tja noseše v dušata si spomena za rodnoto selo.

   She carried the memory of her native village in her soul.

   В душата му се бореха страх и надежда.

   V dušata mu se boreha strah i nadežda.

   Fear and hope were struggling within his inner self.

3. person, human being (a person, especially viewed as a living being or member of a group)

   В малката къща живееха шест души.

   V malkata kăšta živeeha šest duši.

   Six people lived in the small house.

   На улицата нямаше жива душа.

   Na ulicata njamaše živa duša.

   There was not a living soul on the street.

   В селото останаха едва трийсетина души.

   V seloto ostanaha edva trijsetina duši.

   Only about thirty people remained in the village.

4. character, nature, temperament (a person’s moral or emotional nature)

   Той беше добра душа и никога не отказваше помощ.

   Toj beše dobra duša i nikoga ne otkazvaše pomošt.

   He was a good soul and never refused help.

   Зад грубия му глас се криеше мека и честна душа.

   Zad grubija mu glas se krieše meka i čestna duša.

   Behind his rough voice there was a gentle and honest nature.

   Тя имаше артистична душа и виждаше красота във всичко.

   Tja imaše artistična duša i viždaše krasota văv vsičko.

   She had an artistic soul and saw beauty in everything.

5. life, breath, vital force (life or breath as the sign of being alive, especially in fixed expressions)

   Той едва си поемаше душа след дългото тичане.

   Toj edva si poemaše duša sled dălgoto tičane.

   He could barely catch his breath after the long run.

   Болният лежеше тихо, сякаш душата му вече го напускаше.

   Bolnijat ležeše tiho, sjakaš dušata mu veče go napuskaše.

   The sick man lay quietly, as if his life were already leaving him.

   След тежката новина тя сякаш загуби душа и дума не каза.

   Sled težkata novina tja sjakaš zagubi duša i duma ne kaza.

   After the terrible news, she seemed to lose her breath and said not a word.

Declension

Declension of душа́

	singular	plural
indefinite	душа́ dušá	души́ duší
definite	душа́та dušáta	души́те dušíte
vocative form	ду́шо1 dúšo1	души́ duší

¹Used only in Sense 3.

Etymology 2

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *dušiti.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [doˈʃɤ̟]
• Rhymes: -ʃɤ
• Syllabification^(key): ду‧ша

Verb

душа́ • (dušá) first-singular present indicative, impf

1. (transitive) to strangle, to choke (to squeeze someone’s throat so as to prevent breathing)

   Нападателят го душеше с две ръце, докато хората около тях се опитваха да го отдръпнат.

   Napadateljat go dušeše s dve răce, dokato horata okolo tjah se opitvaha da go otdrăpnat.

   The attacker was strangling him with both hands while the people around them tried to pull him away.

   Не стискай шалчето толкова силно — ще душиш детето.

   Ne stiskaj šalčeto tolkova silno — šte dušiš deteto.

   Do not tighten the scarf so much — you will choke the child.

   В сцената злодеят душеше жертвата, но тя успя да се освободи.

   V scenata zlodejat dušeše žertvata, no tja uspja da se osvobodi.

   In the scene, the villain was strangling the victim, but she managed to break free.

2. (transitive) to choke, to stifle, to suffocate (to make breathing difficult, especially by smoke, smell, dust, heat, or lack of air)

   Гъстият дим душеше хората в стаята и всички се втурнаха към прозорците.

   Găstijat dim dušeše horata v stajata i vsički se vturnaha kăm prozorcite.

   The thick smoke was choking the people in the room, and everyone rushed to the windows.

   Миризмата на изгоряло душеше целия коридор.

   Mirizmata na izgorjalo dušeše celija koridor.

   The smell of burning was stifling the whole corridor.

   Прахът от строежа душеше минувачите и ги караше да кашлят.

   Prahăt ot stroeža dušeše minuvačite i gi karaše da kašljat.

   The dust from the construction site was choking the passers-by and making them cough.

3. (transitive, figurative) to oppress, to torment, to weigh down (to trouble, oppress, or deprive someone of peace or freedom)

   Огромна мъка го душеше и той не можеше да каже нито дума.

   Ogromna măka go dušeše i toj ne možeše da kaže nito duma.

   An immense sorrow was oppressing him, and he could not say a word.

   Напрегнатата атмосфера вкъщи я душеше повече от самотата.

   Napregnatata atmosfera vkăšti ja dušeše poveče ot samotata.

   The tense atmosphere at home weighed on her more than loneliness.

   Страхът го душеше отвътре, но той се опитваше да изглежда спокоен.

   Strahăt go dušeše otvătre, no toj se opitvaše da izgležda spokoen.

   Fear was choking him inside, but he tried to appear calm.

4. (reflexive, intransitive) to choke, to suffocate, to be unable to breathe

   В задушната стая той се душеше и отвори прозореца.

   V zadušnata staja toj se dušeše i otvori prozoreca.

   In the stuffy room, he was choking and opened the window.

   Детето се душеше от кашлица и майка му веднага извика лекар.

   Deteto se dušeše ot kašlica i majka mu vednaga izvika lekar.

   The child was choking from coughing, and its mother immediately called a doctor.

   Хората се душеха от дима и се опитваха да излязат навън.

   Horata se dušeha ot dima i se opitvaha da izljazat navăn.

   The people were suffocating from the smoke and trying to get outside.

Conjugation

    Conjugation of душа́ (conjugation 2.1, imperfective, transitive)

participles		present active participle	past active aorist participle	past active imperfect participle	past passive participle	verbal noun	adverbial participle
masculine	indefinite	душа́щ, душе́щ1 dušášt, dušéšt1	души́л dušíl	душа́л, душе́л1 dušál, dušél1	душе́н dušén		душе́йки dušéjki
	definite subject form	душа́щият, душе́щият1 dušáštijat, dušéštijat1	души́лият dušílijat	—	душе́ният dušénijat
	definite object form	душа́щия, душе́щия1 dušáštija, dušéštija1	души́лия dušílija	—	душе́ния dušénija
feminine	indefinite	душа́ща, душе́ща1 dušášta, dušéšta1	души́ла dušíla	душа́ла, душе́ла1 dušála, dušéla1	душе́на dušéna
	definite	душа́щата, душе́щата1 dušáštata, dušéštata1	души́лата dušílata	—	душе́ната dušénata
neuter	indefinite	душа́що, душе́що1 dušášto, dušéšto1	души́ло dušílo	душа́ло, душе́ло1 dušálo, dušélo1	душе́но dušéno	душе́не dušéne
	definite	душа́щото, душе́щото1 dušáštoto, dušéštoto1	души́лото dušíloto	—	душе́ното dušénoto	душе́нето dušéneto
plural	indefinite	душа́щи, душе́щи1 dušášti, dušéšti1	души́ли dušíli	душа́ли, душе́ли1 dušáli, dušéli1	душе́ни dušéni	душе́ния, душе́нета dušénija, dušéneta
	definite	душа́щите, душе́щите1 dušáštite, dušéštite1	души́лите dušílite	—	душе́ните dušénite	душе́нията, душе́нетата dušénijata, dušénetata

person		singular			plural
		first	second	third	first	second	third
indicative		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
present		душа́ dušá	души́ш dušíš	души́ duší	души́м duším	души́те dušíte	душа́т dušát
imperfect		душа́х, душе́х1 dušáh, dušéh1	душе́ше dušéše	душе́ше dušéše	душа́хме, душе́хме1 dušáhme, dušéhme1	душа́хте, душе́хте1 dušáhte, dušéhte1	душа́ха, душе́ха1 dušáha, dušéha1
aorist		души́х dušíh	души́ duší	души́ duší	души́хме dušíhme	души́хте dušíhte	души́ха dušíha
future	pos.	Use ще followed by the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́ма да followed by the present indicative tense
future in the past	pos.	Use the imperfect indicative tense of ща followed by да and the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́маше да followed by the present indicative tense
present perfect		Use the present indicative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
past perfect		Use the imperfect indicative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
future perfect		Use the future indicative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
future perfect in the past		Use the future in the past indicative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
renarrative		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
present and imperfect		Use the present indicative tense of съм (leave it out in third person) and душа́л/душе́л1 m, душа́ла/душе́ла1 f, душа́ло/душе́ло1 n, or душа́ли/душе́ли1 pl
aorist		Use the present indicative tense of съм (leave it out in third person) and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
future and future in the past	pos.	Use the present/imperfect renarrative tense of ща followed by да and the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́мало да and the present indicative tense
present and past perfect		Use the present/imperfect renarrative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
future perfect and future perfect in the past		Use the future/future in the past renarrative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
dubitative		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
present and imperfect		Use the present/imperfect renarrative tense of съм and душа́л/душе́л1 m, душа́ла/душе́ла1 f, душа́ло/душе́ло1 n, or душа́ли/душе́ли1 pl
aorist		Use the aorist renarrative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
future and future in the past	pos.	Use the present/imperfect dubitative tense of ща followed by да and the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́мало било́ да and the present indicative tense
present and past perfect		none
future perfect and future perfect in the past		Use the future/future in the past dubitative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
conclusive		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
present and imperfect		Use the present indicative tense of съм and душа́л/душе́л1 m, душа́ла/душе́ла1 f, душа́ло/душе́ло1 n, or душа́ли/душе́ли1 pl
aorist		Use the present indicative tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
future and future in the past	pos.	Use the present/imperfect conclusive tense of ща followed by да and the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́мало е да and the present indicative tense
present and past perfect		Use the present/imperfect conclusive tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
future perfect and future perfect in the past		Use the future/future in the past conclusive tense of съм and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
conditional		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
		Use the first aorist indicative tense of бъ́да and души́л m, души́ла f, души́ло n, or души́ли pl
imperative		-	ти	-	-	вие	-
			души́ duší			душе́те dušéte

¹Largely fallen into disuse.

Etymology 3

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *dušiti.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈduʃɐ]
• Rhymes: -uʃɐ
• Syllabification^(key): ду‧ша

Verb

ду́ша • (dúša) first-singular present indicative, impf

1. (transitive) to sniff, to smell, to scent (to draw in air through the nose in order to perceive or follow a smell)

   Кучето душеше следите по мократа земя и бавно се отдалечаваше към гората.

   Kučeto dušeše sledite po mokrata zemja i bavno se otdalečavaše kăm gorata.

   The dog was sniffing the tracks on the wet ground and slowly moving away toward the forest.

   Ловното куче души въздуха, спира за миг и после тръгва след дивеча.

   Lovnoto kuče duši văzduha, spira za mig i posle trăgva sled diveča.

   The hunting dog sniffs the air, stops for a moment, and then follows the game.

   Лисицата душеше около кокошарника, преди да се скрие в храстите.

   Lisicata dušeše okolo kokošarnika, predi da se skrie v hrastite.

   The fox was sniffing around the henhouse before hiding in the bushes.

   Конят неспокойно душеше тревата и не искаше да върви напред.

   Konjat nespokojno dušeše trevata i ne iskaše da vărvi napred.

   The horse was nervously sniffing the grass and did not want to move forward.

   Той душеше дима във въздуха, опитвайки се да разбере откъде идва пожарът.

   Toj dušeše dima văv văzduha, opitvajki se da razbere otkăde idva požarăt.

   He was sniffing the smoke in the air, trying to figure out where the fire was coming from.

   Детето любопитно душеше цветята, но не знаеше кое ухае толкова силно.

   Deteto ljubopitno dušeše cvetjata, no ne znaeše koe uhae tolkova silno.

   The child was curiously smelling the flowers, but did not know which one smelled so strongly.

2. (figurative, derogatory, informal) to scout around

Conjugation

    Conjugation of ду́ша (conjugation 2.1, imperfective, transitive)

participles		present active participle	past active aorist participle	past active imperfect participle	past passive participle	verbal noun	adverbial participle
masculine	indefinite	ду́шещ dúšešt	ду́шил, души́л1 dúšil, dušíl1	ду́шел dúšel	ду́шен dúšen		ду́шейки dúšejki
	definite subject form	ду́шещият dúšeštijat	ду́шилият, души́лият1 dúšilijat, dušílijat1	—	ду́шеният dúšenijat
	definite object form	ду́шещия dúšeštija	ду́шилия, души́лия1 dúšilija, dušílija1	—	ду́шения dúšenija
feminine	indefinite	ду́шеща dúšešta	ду́шила, души́ла1 dúšila, dušíla1	ду́шела dúšela	ду́шена dúšena
	definite	ду́шещата dúšeštata	ду́шилата, души́лата1 dúšilata, dušílata1	—	ду́шената dúšenata
neuter	indefinite	ду́шещо dúšešto	ду́шило, души́ло1 dúšilo, dušílo1	ду́шело dúšelo	ду́шено dúšeno	ду́шене dúšene
	definite	ду́шещото dúšeštoto	ду́шилото, души́лото1 dúšiloto, dušíloto1	—	ду́шеното dúšenoto	ду́шенето dúšeneto
plural	indefinite	ду́шещи dúšešti	ду́шили, души́ли1 dúšili, dušíli1	ду́шели dúšeli	ду́шени dúšeni	ду́шения, ду́шенета dúšenija, dúšeneta
	definite	ду́шещите dúšeštite	ду́шилите, души́лите1 dúšilite, dušílite1	—	ду́шените dúšenite	ду́шенията, ду́шенетата dúšenijata, dúšenetata

person		singular			plural
		first	second	third	first	second	third
indicative		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
present		ду́ша dúša	ду́шиш dúšiš	ду́ши dúši	ду́шим dúšim	ду́шите dúšite	ду́шат dúšat
imperfect		ду́шех dúšeh	ду́шеше dúšeše	ду́шеше dúšeše	ду́шехме dúšehme	ду́шехте dúšehte	ду́шеха dúšeha
aorist		ду́ших, души́х1 dúših, dušíh1	ду́ши, души́1 dúši, duší1	ду́ши, души́1 dúši, duší1	ду́шихме, души́хме1 dúšihme, dušíhme1	ду́шихте, души́хте1 dúšihte, dušíhte1	ду́шиха, души́ха1 dúšiha, dušíha1
future	pos.	Use ще followed by the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́ма да followed by the present indicative tense
future in the past	pos.	Use the imperfect indicative tense of ща followed by да and the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́маше да followed by the present indicative tense
present perfect		Use the present indicative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
past perfect		Use the imperfect indicative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
future perfect		Use the future indicative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
future perfect in the past		Use the future in the past indicative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
renarrative		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
present and imperfect		Use the present indicative tense of съм (leave it out in third person) and ду́шел m, ду́шела f, ду́шело n, or ду́шели pl
aorist		Use the present indicative tense of съм (leave it out in third person) and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
future and future in the past	pos.	Use the present/imperfect renarrative tense of ща followed by да and the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́мало да and the present indicative tense
present and past perfect		Use the present/imperfect renarrative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
future perfect and future perfect in the past		Use the future/future in the past renarrative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
dubitative		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
present and imperfect		Use the present/imperfect renarrative tense of съм and ду́шел m, ду́шела f, ду́шело n, or ду́шели pl
aorist		Use the aorist renarrative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
future and future in the past	pos.	Use the present/imperfect dubitative tense of ща followed by да and the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́мало било́ да and the present indicative tense
present and past perfect		none
future perfect and future perfect in the past		Use the future/future in the past dubitative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
conclusive		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
present and imperfect		Use the present indicative tense of съм and ду́шел m, ду́шела f, ду́шело n, or ду́шели pl
aorist		Use the present indicative tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
future and future in the past	pos.	Use the present/imperfect conclusive tense of ща followed by да and the present indicative tense
	neg.	Use ня́мало е да and the present indicative tense
present and past perfect		Use the present/imperfect conclusive tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
future perfect and future perfect in the past		Use the future/future in the past conclusive tense of съм and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
conditional		аз	ти	той/тя/то	ние	вие	те
		Use the first aorist indicative tense of бъ́да and ду́шил/души́л1 m, ду́шила/души́ла1 f, ду́шило/души́ло1 n, or ду́шили/души́ли1 pl
imperative		-	ти	-	-	вие	-
			души́ duší			душе́те dušéte

¹Dialectally marked.

References

• “душа”, in Речник на българския език [Dictionary of the Bulgarian Language] (in Bulgarian), Sofia: Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2014
• “душа”, in Речник на българския език [Dictionary of the Bulgarian Language] (in Bulgarian), Chitanka, 2010

Macedonian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *duša.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈduʃa]

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: ду‧ша

Noun

ду́ша • (dúša) f (plural ду́ши, relational adjective ду́шевен, diminutive ду́шичка or ду́шиче)

1. soul
2. spirit
3. (by extension) inhabitant or individual person/soul

   Пе́т души ― Pét duši ― Five people (literally, “Five souls”)

4. (term of endearment) honey, sweetie, darling, dearie (in the vocative)

   ду́шо мо́ја ― dúšo mója ― my darling

5. (figurative) engine

Declension

Declension of душа

	singular	plural
indefinite	душа (duša)	души (duši)
definite unspecified	душата (dušata)	душите (dušite)
definite proximal	душава (dušava)	душиве (dušive)
definite distal	душана (dušana)	душине (dušine)
vocative	душо (dušo)	души (duši)

References

• “душа” in Дигитален речник на македонскиот јазик (Digitalen rečnik na makedonskiot jazik) [Digital dictionary of the Macedonian language] − drmj.eu

Old Church Slavonic

Noun

душа • (duša) f

1. alternative form of доуша (duša)

Pannonian Rusyn

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *dʰews-

Proto-Indo-European *-yeh₂

Proto-Indo-European *dʰowsyeh₂

Proto-Balto-Slavic *dáusjāˀ

Proto-Slavic *duša

Old Slovak duša

Pannonian Rusyn душа

Inherited from Old Slovak duša, from Proto-Slavic *duša. Cognates include Carpathian Rusyn душа́ (dušá) and Slovak duša.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈduʃa]
• Rhymes: -uʃa
• Hyphenation: ду‧ша

Noun

душа (duša) f (diminutive душичка or душочка)

1. soul

Declension

Declension of душа (duša)

	singular	plural
nominative	душа (duša)	души (duši)
genitive	души (duši)	душох (dušox)
dative	души (duši)	душом (dušom)
accusative	душу (dušu)	души (duši)
instrumental	душу (dušu)	душами (dušami)
locative	души (duši)	душох (dušox)
vocative	душо (dušo)	души (duši)

Related terms

adjectives

• бездушни (bezdušni)
• велькодушни (velʹkodušni)
• добродушни (dobrodušni)
• душевни (duševni)
• єднодушни (jednodušni)
• малодушни (malodušni)
• простодушни (prostodušni)
• ровнодушни (rovnodušni)

nouns

• душостаратель m (dušostaratelʹ)

proper nouns

• Душан m (Dušan)

References

• Medʹeši, H.; Fejsa, M.; Timko-Djitko, O. (2010), “душа”, in Ramač, Ju., editor, Руско-сербски словнїк [Rusyn-Serbian Dictionary] (in Pannonian Rusyn), Novi Sad: Faculty of Philosophy, page 264
• Fejsa, M.; Šlemender, M.; Čelʹovski, S. (2022), “soul”, in Анґлийско-руски словнїк [English-Rusyn Dictionary] (in Pannonian Rusyn), Novi Sad: Faculty of Philosophy; Ruska matka, →ISBN, page 291

Russian

Etymology 1

Inherited from Old East Slavic доуша (duša, “soul”), from Proto-Slavic *duša.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [dʊˈʂa]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

душа́ • (dušá) f inan (genitive души́, nominative plural ду́ши, genitive plural душ, relational adjective душе́вный, diminutive ду́шка or ду́шечка or ду́шенька, pejorative душо́нка)

1. soul

   не по душе́ ― ne po dušé ― displeases (literally, “not according to the soul”)

   по душе́ ― po dušé ― pleasant (literally, “according to the soul”)

   по душа́м ― po dušám ― heart-to-heart (talk, conversation)

   от души́ ― ot duší ― from the heart

   душа́ нараспа́шку ― dušá naraspášku ― frank-hearted, heart on one's sleeve (literally, “soul wide-open”)

   в глубине́ души́ ― v glubiné duší ― deep in one's heart

   брать за́ ду́шу ― bratʹ zá dúšu ― touch the heart

   душа́ в ду́шу ― dušá v dúšu ― in perfect harmony/concord (literally, “soul for soul”)

   душа́ не на ме́сте ― dušá ne na méste ― anxious, worried (literally, “soul out of place”)

   криви́ть душо́й ― krivítʹ dušój ― to equivocate, prevaricate, bend the truth

   стоя́ть над душо́й ― stojátʹ nad dušój ― to annoy someone in a distractive way, e.g. by constant staring or asking (literally, “stand over (one's) soul”)

   душа́ в пя́тки ушла́ ― dušá v pjátki ušlá ― to have one's heart in one's mouth (literally, “soul went to (one's) heels”)

   залеза́ть в ду́шу кому́-либо ― zalezátʹ v dúšu komú-libo ― to worm oneself into someone's confidence

   души́ не ча́ять ― duší ne čájatʹ ― to adore a person, to dote (literally, “to not expect soul”)

   ско́лько душе́ уго́дно ― skólʹko dušé ugódno ― to one's heart's content (literally, “however pleasing to the soul”)

   с душо́й ― s dušój ― with spirit/feeling/zeal/gusto

   плева́ть в ду́шу ― plevátʹ v dúšu ― to trample on someone's feelings (literally, “spit on the soul”)

   береди́ть ду́шу ― beredítʹ dúšu ― to stir up old feelings

   изли́ть ду́шу ― izlítʹ dúšu ― to pour one's heart out

   на ду́шу населе́ния ― na dúšu naselénija ― per capita of the population

2. spirit
3. darling

   душа́ моя́! ― dušá mojá! ― my dear!

Declension

Declension of душа́ (inan fem-form sibilant-stem accent-d′) 

	singular	plural
nominative	душа́ dušá	ду́ши dúši
genitive	души́ duší	ду́ш dúš
dative	душе́ dušé	ду́шам dúšam
accusative	ду́шу dúšu	ду́ши dúši
instrumental	душо́й, душо́ю dušój, dušóju	ду́шами dúšami
prepositional	душе́ dušé	ду́шах dúšax

Pre-reform declension of душа́ (inan fem-form sibilant-stem accent-d′) 

	singular	plural
nominative	душа́ dušá	ду́ши dúši
genitive	души́ duší	ду́шъ dúš
dative	душѣ́ dušě́	ду́шамъ dúšam
accusative	ду́шу dúšu	ду́ши dúši
instrumental	душо́й, душо́ю dušój, dušóju	ду́шами dúšami
prepositional	душѣ́ dušě́	ду́шахъ dúšax

Derived terms

• за душо́й (za dušój)
• ни души́ (ni duší)
• подушево́й (poduševój)

Compound words:

• душегу́б m anim (dušegúb)
• душеприка́зчик m anim (dušeprikázčik)
• душераздира́ющий (dušerazdirájuščij)
• душеспаси́тельный (dušespasítelʹnyj)
• душещипа́тельный (dušeščipátelʹnyj)

Compounds:

• до́брая душа́ (dóbraja dušá)
• добре́йшей души́ челове́к (dobréjšej duší čelovék)
• душа́ в ду́шу (dušá v dúšu)
• душа́ компа́нии (dušá kompánii)
• душа́ не на ме́сте (dušá ne na méste)
• за ми́лу ду́шу (za mílu dúšu), за ми́лую ду́шу (za míluju dúšu)
• крик души́ (krik duší)

Phrases

• как бог на́ душу поло́жит (kak bog ná dušu polóžit)
• понесла́сь душа́ в рай (poneslásʹ dušá v raj)

Proverbs

• чужа́я душа́ — потёмки (čužája dušá — potjómki)

Related terms

Close related:

nouns

• великоду́шие (velikodúšije)
• доброду́шие (dobrodúšije)
• ду́шенька (dúšenʹka)
• ду́шечка (dúšečka)
• ду́шка (dúška)
• малоду́шие (malodúšije)
• равноду́шие (ravnodúšije)

adjectives

• безду́шный (bezdúšnyj)
• великоду́шный (velikodúšnyj)
• двоеду́шный (dvojedúšnyj)
• доброду́шный (dobrodúšnyj)
• душевнобольно́й (duševnobolʹnój)
• душе́вный (dušévnyj)
• единоду́шный (jedinodúšnyj)
• задуше́вный (zadušévnyj)
• малоду́шный (malodúšnyj)
• равноду́шный (ravnodúšnyj)

Other:

• дух m (dux)
• души́стый (dušístyj)
• души́ть impf (dušítʹ)
• ду́шный (dúšnyj)
• дыша́ть impf (dyšátʹ)
• отду́шина f (otdúšina)

Descendants

• → Buryat: дүүшэ (düüše)
• → Yakut: дууһа (duuha)

Further reading

• Dal, Vladimir (1880–1882), “душа”, in Толковый Словарь живаго великорускаго языка [Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language] (in Russian), 2nd edition, Publication of the bookseller-typographer Wolf, M. O.

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈduʂə]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

ду́ша • (dúša)

1. genitive singular of душ (duš)

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [dʊˈʂa]

• Audio:

  (file)

Participle

душа́ • (dušá)

1. present adverbial imperfective participle of души́ть (dušítʹ)

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *duša.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dǔːʃa/
• Hyphenation: ду‧ша

Noun

ду́ша f (Latin spelling dúša)

1. soul (spirit or person)

   Богу душу, Бог је неће. ― I'm surrendering my soul to God, and God doesn't want to take it. (expression used when describing great physical pain personally experienced in a past situation, e.g. running a marathon, being tortured, etc.)

   У кући није било живе душе. ― Not a living soul was in the house.

2. term of endearment; darling, dear

Declension

Declension of душа

	singular	plural
nominative	ду́ша	ду̑ше
genitive	душе	душа
dative	души	душама
accusative	ду̑шу	душе
vocative	душо	душе
locative	души	душама
instrumental	душом	душама

Related terms

• ду̏х

Further reading

• “душа”, in Hrvatski jezični portal [Croatian language portal] (in Serbo-Croatian), 2006–2026

Ukrainian

Etymology

From Old East Slavic доуша (duša, “soul”), Proto-Slavic *duša.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [dʊˈʃa]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

душа́ • (dušá) f inan (genitive душі́, nominative plural ду́ші, genitive plural душ)

1. soul, spirit

   дух і душа́ ― dux i dušá ― spirit and soul

Declension

Declension of душа́
(inan semisoft fem-form accent-d′)

	singular	plural
nominative	душа́ dušá	ду́ші dúši
genitive	душі́ duší	душ duš
dative	душі́ duší	ду́шам dúšam
accusative	ду́шу dúšu	ду́ші dúši
instrumental	душе́ю dušéju	ду́шами dúšamy
locative	душі́ duší	ду́шах dúšax
vocative	ду́ше dúše	ду́ші dúši

Derived terms

• спорі́днена душа́ f (sporídnena dušá)

Related terms

• душе́вний (dušévnyj)
• душевнохво́рий (duševnoxvóryj)

Further reading

• Bilodid, I. K., editor (1970–1980), “душа”, in Словник української мови: в 11 т. [Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language: in 11 vols] (in Ukrainian), Kyiv: Naukova Dumka
• Shyrokov, V. A., editor (2010–2025), “душа”, in Словник української мови: у 20 т. [Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language: in 20 vols] (in Ukrainian), volume 1–15 (а – п'ять), Kyiv: Наукова думка; Український мовно-інформаційний фонд, →ISBN
• “душа”, in Горох – Словозміна [Horox – Slovozmina, Horokh – Inflection]‎^[1]
• “душа”, in Kyiv Dictionary (in English)
• “душа”, in Словник.ua [Slovnyk.ua, Slovnyk.ua]‎^[2]