Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Armchair'

English Word: Armchair

Key Russian Translations:

• кресло [ˈkrʲeslə] - [Neutral, Most Common]
• кресло-качалка [ˈkrʲeslə kəˈt͡ʃalka] - [Specific, Rocking Armchair]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday contexts related to furniture)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "кресло"; B1 for "кресло-качалка" due to compound nature)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кресло: [ˈkrʲeslə]

Note on кресло: The stress is on the first syllable. The "р" is rolled, and "е" sounds like "ye".

кресло-качалка: [ˈkrʲeslə kəˈt͡ʃalka]

Note on кресло-качалка: Stress falls on the first syllable of both words. The second part, "качалка", has a soft "ч".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. General Term for a Comfortable Chair with Armrests

Translation(s) & Context:

• кресло - Used for any comfortable chair with armrests, often found in living rooms.

Usage Examples:

• Я сижу в удобном кресле и читаю книгу.

  I am sitting in a comfortable armchair and reading a book.

• Это старое кресло принадлежало моему деду.

  This old armchair belonged to my grandfather.

• Купи кресло для гостиной, нам не хватает сидений.

  Buy an armchair for the living room; we don’t have enough seats.

2. Specific Type - Rocking Armchair

Translation(s) & Context:

• кресло-качалка - Refers specifically to a rocking chair with armrests.

Usage Examples:

• Бабушка любит сидеть в кресле-качалке у камина.

  Grandma loves sitting in the rocking armchair by the fireplace.

• Мы купили кресло-качалку для детской комнаты.

  We bought a rocking armchair for the nursery.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кресло (neuter noun, inanimate):

кресло-качалка (feminine noun, inanimate): Follows similar declension patterns as feminine nouns ending in "а".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for кресло:

• фотель (less common, borrowed from French, often used in formal or historical contexts)

Note: "фотель" is rarely used in modern Russian and may sound outdated or overly formal.

Antonyms:

• табурет (stool - a seat without armrests or backrest)

Related Phrases:

• удобное кресло - A comfortable armchair.
• кресло руководителя - An executive armchair (often used for office chairs).
• сидеть в кресле - To sit in an armchair (literal or figurative, e.g., holding a position of power).

Usage Notes:

• "кресло" is the most common and versatile term for an armchair in Russian. It can refer to any chair with armrests, whether in a home, office, or even a theater.
• "кресло-качалка" is a compound word and is only used for rocking chairs. Avoid using it for regular armchairs.
• In figurative speech, "кресло" can mean a position of authority (e.g., "директорское кресло" - director’s chair/position).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "стул" (stool/chair) instead of "кресло" for an armchair. "Стул" refers to a basic chair without armrests.

  Incorrect: Я купил новый стул для гостиной. (I bought a new chair for the living room, implying a basic chair.)

  Correct: Я купил новое кресло для гостиной. (I bought a new armchair for the living room.)

• Error: Misusing "кресло-качалка" for a non-rocking armchair.

  Incorrect: Это мое кресло-качалка, но оно не качается. (This is my rocking armchair, but it doesn’t rock.)

  Correct: Это мое кресло, но оно не качается. (This is my armchair, but it doesn’t rock.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, an armchair ("кресло") is often associated with comfort and relaxation, especially in the context of a cozy home. Rocking armchairs ("кресло-качалка") are particularly linked to images of grandparents or nurseries, evoking warmth and nostalgia.

Related Concepts:

• диван (sofa)
• стул (chair/stool)
• мебель (furniture)