Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Apartment'

English Word: Apartment

Key Russian Translations:

• квартира [kvɐrˈtʲirə] - [Common, Neutral]
• апартаменты [ɐpərtɐˈmʲentɨ] - [Formal, Often refers to luxury or larger spaces]

Frequency: High (especially for "квартира")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "квартира"); B1 (Intermediate for "апартаменты")

Pronunciation (Russian):

квартира: [kvɐrˈtʲirə]

Note on квартира: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'р' sound is rolled slightly.

апартаменты: [ɐpərtɐˈmʲentɨ]

Note on апартаменты: Stress on the fourth syllable. Borrowed from English, but with Russian pronunciation rules.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A place to live (standard residential unit)

Translation(s) & Context:

• квартира - Commonly used for any standard residential apartment or flat.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил новую квартиру в центре города.

  I bought a new apartment in the city center.

• У неё маленькая, но уютная квартира.

  She has a small but cozy apartment.

• Мы снимаем квартиру на окраине.

  We rent an apartment on the outskirts.

2. A luxurious or spacious living space

Translation(s) & Context:

• апартаменты - Used for upscale, larger, or hotel-style apartments.

Usage Examples:

• В этом отеле есть роскошные апартаменты с видом на море.

  This hotel has luxurious apartments with a sea view.

• Они арендовали апартаменты для отпуска.

  They rented apartments for their vacation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

квартира (feminine noun): Follows the first declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

апартаменты (plural-only noun): Used only in plural form, follows the third declension pattern for neuter nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for квартира:

• жильё (housing, more general)
• дом (home, less specific)

Note: "жильё" is broader and can refer to any type of housing, while "дом" often implies a house or home in a broader sense.

Antonyms for квартира:

• дом (house, as opposed to an apartment)

Related Phrases:

• снимать квартиру - to rent an apartment
• купить квартиру - to buy an apartment
• жить в квартире - to live in an apartment
• роскошные апартаменты - luxurious apartments

Usage Notes:

• "квартира" is the most common and neutral term for an apartment or flat in Russian. It is used in everyday speech for any standard residential unit.
• "апартаменты" typically refers to larger, more luxurious spaces or hotel apartments. It is less common in casual conversation and carries a formal or upscale tone.
• Be mindful of grammatical gender: "квартира" is feminine, while "апартаменты" is plural-only and neuter.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "апартаменты" for a regular small apartment.
  Incorrect: У меня маленькие апартаменты.
  Correct: У меня маленькая квартира.
  Explanation: "апартаменты" implies luxury or larger spaces and is inappropriate for small, standard apartments.
• Error: Incorrect case usage due to confusion with declensions.
  Incorrect: Я живу в квартира.
  Correct: Я живу в квартире.
  Explanation: After the preposition "в" (in), "квартира" must be in the prepositional case.

Cultural Notes:

In Soviet and post-Soviet culture, "квартира" often evokes images of communal living or standardized housing blocks (known as "хрущёвки" or "брежневки"). Apartments in Russia are often central to family life, and owning a "квартира" is a significant milestone.

Related Concepts:

• дом (house/home)
• комната (room)
• жильё (housing)
• хрущёвка (Soviet-era apartment building)