rusa
/ROO-sah/
Russian
Rusa as an adjective describes something of Russian origin, like this traditional nesting doll.
rusa(adjective)
Russian
?Describing nationality, origin, or culture (feminine)
of Russia
?Describing possession or link to the country
📝 In Action
La capital rusa es Moscú.
A1The Russian capital is Moscow.
Me encanta la literatura rusa clásica.
A2I love classic Russian literature.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Matching
As an adjective, 'rusa' must match the gender of the noun it describes. If the noun were masculine (like 'idioma'), you would use 'ruso'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Ending
Mistake: "Hablo idioma rusa."
Correction: Hablo idioma ruso. (Because 'idioma' is masculine, the adjective must be 'ruso'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Usually Follows the Noun
In Spanish, adjectives of nationality almost always come after the noun they describe (e.g., 'bandera rusa,' not 'rusa bandera').
As a noun, rusa refers to a Russian woman.
rusa(noun)
Russian woman
?A female person from Russia
female Russian
?A citizen of Russia (female)
📝 In Action
Una rusa me preguntó cómo llegar al museo.
A2A Russian woman asked me how to get to the museum.
Ella es rusa, pero vive en España desde hace años.
B1She is a Russian, but she has lived in Spain for years.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Article
When using 'rusa' as a noun to refer to a person, you usually need a definite or indefinite article ('la rusa', 'una rusa'), just like in English ('the Russian', 'a Russian').
Rusa can be a short form for 'ensalada rusa,' or Russian salad.
rusa(noun)
Russian salad
?Food: potato salad with mayonnaise, tuna, and vegetables (short for 'ensalada rusa')
📝 In Action
Para la cena, solo pedimos una ración de rusa.
B1For dinner, we only ordered a portion of Russian salad.
Esta rusa de mi abuela está deliciosa.
B2This Russian salad made by my grandmother is delicious.
💡 Grammar Points
Shorthand Noun
In this context, 'rusa' is acting as a noun because it's replacing the full name of the dish, 'la ensalada rusa.' This is a very common pattern in Spanish colloquial speech.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: rusa
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'rusa' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Por qué 'rusa' se escribe a veces con mayúscula y a veces con minúscula?
Usas minúscula ('rusa') cuando es un adjetivo (describiendo algo) o un sustantivo para la persona ('una rusa'). Solamente usas mayúscula si te refieres al país ('Rusia') o al principio de una oración.
If I am talking about a man, do I use 'rusa'?
No. 'Rusa' is only used for feminine things or people. If you are talking about a man, you must use the masculine form, 'ruso' (e.g., 'el hombre ruso' or 'un ruso').