тьфу

Russian

Etymology

Onomatopoeic, mimics the sound of spitting.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [tʲfu]

• Audio:

  (file)

• IPA^(key): [tfu] (phonetic respelling: тфу)

• Audio (Saint Petersburg):

  (file)

Interjection

тьфу • (tʹfu)

1. Mimics the sound of spitting.
2. fie!; for shame!; nuts!; damn it!, dammit! (expresses strong disgust or disappointment)

Derived terms

• тьфу́-тьфу́-тьфу́ (tʹfú-tʹfú-tʹfú)

Ukrainian

Etymology

Onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [tʲfu]

Interjection

тьфу • (tʹfu)

1. alternative form of тьху (tʹxu)