Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bank'

English Word: bank

Key Russian Translations:

• банк [bɐnk] - [Formal, Financial Institution]
• берег [bʲɪˈrʲek] - [Neutral, Riverbank or Shore]
• скамья [ˈskamʲjə] - [Rare, Archaic for Bench or Bank as Seat]

Frequency: High (for "банк" and "берег"); Low (for "скамья")

Difficulty: A2 (for "банк" and "берег"); B2 (for "скамья")

Pronunciation (Russian):

банк: [bɐnk]

Note on банк: The stress is on the single syllable. Pronounced similarly to the English word "bank" but with a softer, more open "a" sound.

берег: [bʲɪˈrʲek]

Note on берег: Stress on the second syllable. The "r" is rolled, and the "e" sounds like "ye" in "yes."

скамья: [ˈskamʲjə]

Note on скамья: Stress on the first syllable. The "я" is pronounced as "ya."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Financial Institution

Translation(s) & Context:

• банк - Used for any financial institution where money is deposited or borrowed.

Usage Examples:

• Я пошёл в банк, чтобы открыть счёт.

  I went to the bank to open an account.

• Этот банк предлагает низкие ставки по кредитам.

  This bank offers low interest rates on loans.

• Банк работает с 9 утра до 5 вечера.

  The bank operates from 9 AM to 5 PM.

2. Riverbank or Shore

Translation(s) & Context:

• берег - Refers to the edge of a river, lake, or sea.

Usage Examples:

• Мы сидели на берегу реки и смотрели на закат.

  We sat on the riverbank and watched the sunset.

• Берег моря был усеян ракушками.

  The seashore was covered with shells.

• На том берегу виден старый замок.

  An old castle is visible on the other bank.

3. Bench or Seat (Archaic)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скамья - Rarely used in modern Russian; historically referred to a long seat or bench.

Usage Examples:

• В старой церкви стояли деревянные скамьи.

  There were wooden benches in the old church.

• Скамья у дома была сломана.

  The bench by the house was broken.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

банк (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate)

берег (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate)

скамья (Noun, Feminine, Inanimate)

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for банк (Financial Institution):

• кредитное учреждение
• финансовый институт

Note: "кредитное учреждение" is more formal and less common in everyday speech.

Synonyms for берег (Riverbank):

• побережье (for seaside)
• край (general edge)

Antonyms for берег (Riverbank):

• середина (middle of the river)

Related Phrases:

• выйти на берег - To go ashore or reach the bank.
• сбербанк - Refers to Sberbank, a major Russian bank, or generally a savings bank.
• банк данных - Database (literally "data bank").

Usage Notes:

• "банк" is the direct equivalent of "bank" as a financial institution and is the most commonly used term in this context.
• "берег" refers exclusively to a natural bank or shore (river, lake, sea) and should not be confused with a financial bank.
• "скамья" is archaic and rarely used in modern Russian to mean "bank" as a seat; it is mostly encountered in historical or literary contexts.
• When choosing between translations, context is key: use "банк" for finance, "берег" for nature, and avoid "скамья" unless discussing old texts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "берег" to refer to a financial bank. Incorrect: Я пошёл на берег за деньгами. Correct: Я пошёл в банк за деньгами. (I went to the bank for money.)
• Error: Mispronouncing "банк" with a hard English "a" sound. Ensure the vowel is softer and more open as in [bɐnk].
• Error: Using "скамья" in modern contexts for a bench. In contemporary Russian, use "лавка" or "скамейка" for a bench instead.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "банк" often evokes associations with major institutions like Sberbank, which is a household name and historically significant. Additionally, the concept of "берег" is deeply tied to Russian literature and folklore, often symbolizing tranquility or a boundary in stories and poems.

Related Concepts:

• кредит (credit)
• счёт (account)
• река (river)
• побережье (coastline)