Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Appliance'

English Word: appliance

Key Russian Translations:

• прибор [prʲɪˈbor] - [General, Neutral]
• устройство [ʊˈstrojstvə] - [Technical, Formal]
• бытовая техника [bɨtəˈvajə ˈtʲexnʲɪkə] - [Household, Plural/Collective]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday and technical contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, varies slightly by term)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прибор: [prʲɪˈbor]

Note on прибор: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'р' is rolled slightly, typical of Russian pronunciation.

устройство: [ʊˈstrojstvə]

Note on устройство: The stress is on the second syllable. The final 'о' is reduced to a schwa sound [ə].

бытовая техника: [bɨtəˈvajə ˈtʲexnʲɪkə]

Note on бытовая техника: Stress falls on the third syllable of 'бытовая' and second of 'техника'. Pay attention to the soft 'т' in 'техника'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A device or machine for a specific purpose (general or technical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• прибор - Used for smaller devices or instruments, often in everyday or scientific contexts (e.g., kitchen appliance, measuring device).
• устройство - More formal or technical, often refers to mechanisms or apparatus (e.g., a technical appliance or system component).

Usage Examples:

• Этот прибор помогает измерять температуру.

  This appliance helps measure temperature.

• Устройство работает на солнечной энергии.

  The appliance operates on solar energy.

• Прибор сломался, нужно его починить.

  The appliance broke down; it needs to be repaired.

2. Household electrical equipment

Translation(s) & Context:

• бытовая техника - Specifically refers to household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, etc. Often used collectively.

Usage Examples:

• Мы купили новую бытовую технику для кухни.

  We bought new household appliances for the kitchen.

• Магазин предлагает скидки на бытовую технику.

  The store offers discounts on household appliances.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

прибор (noun, masculine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	прибор	приборы
Genitive	прибора	приборов
Dative	прибору	приборам
Accusative	прибор	приборы
Instrumental	прибором	приборами
Prepositional	о приборе	о приборах

устройство (noun, neuter): Follows regular neuter noun declension patterns. Nominative singular: устройство, plural: устройства.

бытовая техника (phrase, feminine): 'Бытовая' is an adjective agreeing with 'техника' (feminine noun). Declines based on context, but often used in nominative or accusative as a set phrase.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for прибор:

• аппарат (more formal, often for larger equipment)
• инструмент (if referring to a tool-like appliance)

Synonyms for устройство:

• механизм (focus on mechanical structure)
• система (if part of a larger system)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as 'appliance' lacks a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• электрический прибор - Electric appliance (common for devices powered by electricity).
• бытовая техника для дома - Household appliances for the home (used in marketing or everyday speech).
• ремонт устройства - Repair of an appliance (common in technical contexts).

Usage Notes:

• Choosing the right term: Use 'прибор' for general or smaller devices (e.g., a thermometer or blender). Use 'устройство' for more technical or abstract appliances (e.g., a component in a system). Use 'бытовая техника' exclusively for household electrical equipment, often collectively.
• Register: 'Устройство' is more formal or technical than 'прибор', which is neutral and widely understood.
• Grammar: Pay attention to noun cases when using these terms in sentences, as Russian relies heavily on declension to convey meaning.

Common Errors:

• Mixing up terms: English speakers often use 'прибор' and 'устройство' interchangeably, but they are not always synonymous. For example, saying 'устройство для кухни' (appliance for the kitchen) sounds odd; 'прибор' or 'бытовая техника' would be correct.
• Incorrect case usage: Beginners often forget to decline nouns. For instance, 'Я купил прибор' (I bought an appliance) is correct, but 'Я купил прибору' is wrong (dative case instead of accusative).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'бытовая техника' often carries connotations of modernity and convenience, as household appliances became widely available only in the late Soviet era for many families. Discussions about appliances might evoke nostalgia or comparisons to Western standards among older generations.

Related Concepts:

• оборудование (equipment)
• машина (machine)
• технология (technology)