Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'auction'

English Word: auction

Key Russian Translations:

• аукцион [aʊkˈtsɨon] - [Formal, General Use]
• торги [ˈtorgʲi] - [Formal, Often Used in Legal or Commercial Contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

аукцион: [aʊkˈtsɨon]

Note on аукцион: The stress is on the second syllable. The "ц" sound is a sharp, unaspirated "ts".

торги: [ˈtorgʲi]

Note on торги: The stress is on the first syllable. The "р" is rolled, and "г" is voiced.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A public sale where goods are sold to the highest bidder

Translation(s) & Context:

• аукцион - Commonly used for public or online auctions (e.g., art, antiques, or eBay-style platforms).

Usage Examples:

• На аукционе продали редкую картину за миллион рублей.

  A rare painting was sold at the auction for a million rubles.

• Я купил старинные часы на интернет-аукционе.

  I bought an antique clock at an online auction.

• Аукцион начнётся в 18:00, не опаздывайте.

  The auction will start at 6:00 PM, don't be late.

2. A competitive bidding process, often for contracts or rights

Translation(s) & Context:

• торги - Used in formal or legal contexts, often referring to tenders or bidding for contracts.

Usage Examples:

• Торги на строительство моста выиграла местная компания.

  The bidding for the bridge construction was won by a local company.

• На торгах были представлены несколько крупных фирм.

  Several major firms were represented at the bidding.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

аукцион (Masculine Noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	аукцион	аукционы
Genitive	аукциона	аукционов
Dative	аукциону	аукционам
Accusative	аукцион	аукционы
Instrumental	аукционом	аукционами
Prepositional	об аукционе	об аукционах

торги (Plural-Only Noun, Masculine):

This noun is used only in the plural form and follows standard masculine plural declension rules.

Case	Plural
Nominative	торги
Genitive	торгов
Dative	торгам
Accusative	торги
Instrumental	торгами
Prepositional	о торгах

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for аукцион:

• продажа с молотка (lit. "sale with a hammer", less common)

Note: "продажа с молотка" is more figurative and less frequent than "аукцион".

Synonyms for торги:

• тендер (tender, often for contracts)

Antonyms:

• No direct antonyms, as the concept of auction lacks a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• участвовать в аукционе - to participate in an auction
• выиграть на торгах - to win at bidding/tender
• ставить на аукцион - to put up for auction

Usage Notes:

• "аукцион" is the more general and widely recognized term for auctions, suitable for most contexts, including online platforms and charity events.
• "торги" is more specific to formal bidding processes, such as government contracts or legal tenders. It may not be understood as a casual auction by all speakers.
• Both terms are formal, but "аукцион" can be used in everyday conversation, while "торги" is mostly restricted to professional or legal discourse.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "торги" to refer to a casual or online auction.
  Incorrect: Я купил книгу на торгах в интернете.
  Correct: Я купил книгу на аукционе в интернете.
  Explanation: "торги" implies a formal bidding process, not a general auction like on eBay.
• Error: Misplacing stress in "аукцион" (e.g., stressing the first syllable).
  Explanation: The correct stress is on the second syllable: [aʊkˈtsɨon]. Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

Auctions ("аукцион") are less common in everyday Russian culture compared to Western countries, often associated with luxury goods, art, or online platforms. "торги" is more familiar in business or government contexts, reflecting the Soviet and post-Soviet emphasis on state-controlled tenders.

Related Concepts:

• тендер (tender)
• ставка (bid)
• продажа (sale)