Bedeutung
I swear it is true.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Among young Russians, 'зуб даю' is often used ironically or with high energy to mimic the 'tough' characters seen in popular TV shows like 'The Boy's Word' (Слово пацана). The phrase is a reminder of the 'Vory' culture where lying (фуфло) was a serious offense. Using it correctly shows an understanding of the 'street' hierarchy of speech. You will hear this phrase in almost every Russian action or crime movie from the 1990s and 2000s. It's a key part of the 'tough guy' archetype. In Russian gaming communities (Dota 2, CS:GO), 'зуб даю' is used constantly to coordinate tactics or blame teammates.
The 'I' is optional
Drop the 'Я' to sound more like a native speaker. 'Зуб даю' is much punchier than 'Я зуб даю'.
Know your audience
Never use this with your Russian mother-in-law or your boss unless you have a very joking relationship.
Bedeutung
I swear it is true.
The 'I' is optional
Drop the 'Я' to sound more like a native speaker. 'Зуб даю' is much punchier than 'Я зуб даю'.
Know your audience
Never use this with your Russian mother-in-law or your boss unless you have a very joking relationship.
The Gesture
Sometimes people tap their front tooth with a fingernail while saying this for extra effect.
Teste dich selbst
Which of these is the most natural way to use the phrase?
Друг: 'Ты правда видел НЛО?' Ты: '...'
The phrase is a fixed idiom in the present tense without the pronoun.
In which situation is 'зуб даю' appropriate?
Choose the correct context:
'Зуб даю' is slang and only suitable for informal peer-to-peer communication.
Complete the sentence with the correct slang oath.
Завтра наши точно выиграют, ___ ___!
The standard idiom uses 'зуб' (tooth).
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Анна: 'Ты не забыл купить билеты?' Максим: 'Купил, они у меня в сумке, ___ ___!'
In a casual dialogue between friends, 'зуб даю' fits the informal tone perfectly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenДруг: 'Ты правда видел НЛО?' Ты: '...'
The phrase is a fixed idiom in the present tense without the pronoun.
Choose the correct context:
'Зуб даю' is slang and only suitable for informal peer-to-peer communication.
Завтра наши точно выиграют, ___ ___!
The standard idiom uses 'зуб' (tooth).
Анна: 'Ты не забыл купить билеты?' Максим: 'Купил, они у меня в сумке, ___ ___!'
In a casual dialogue between friends, 'зуб даю' fits the informal tone perfectly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's not 'curse-word' rude, but it is 'uneducated' or 'rough' rude. Use it only with friends.
Yes, although it has masculine roots, women use it frequently in casual settings today.
In modern times, nothing happens! But you will lose 'social points' for being unreliable.
No, 'зуб давал' doesn't work as an idiom. Use 'я клялся'.
Yes, it is common all across Russia and Russian-speaking countries.
Yes, 'даю слово' or 'обещаю'.
No, it's a general metaphorical tooth.
Absolutely not. It would be seen as very unprofessional.
'Отвечаю' is currently very trendy among Gen Z and Millennials.
No, the idiom is strictly singular: 'зуб'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Честное слово
synonymHonest word / My word of honor
Клянусь
synonymI swear
Отвечаю
similarI answer for it / I vouch
Мамой клянусь
similarI swear by my mother
Руку на отсечение
builds onMy hand for cutting off
