Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Basketball'

English Word: Basketball

Key Russian Translations:

• баскетбол [bɐskʲɪtˈbol] - [Neutral, Most Common]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

баскетбол: [bɐskʲɪtˈbol]

Note on баскетбол: The stress falls on the last syllable, which is typical for many borrowed words in Russian. The 'е' is pronounced as a soft 'e' due to the following 'т'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The Sport of Basketball

Translation(s) & Context:

• баскетбол - Refers to the sport of basketball, used in both formal and informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю играть в баскетбол по выходным.

  I love playing basketball on weekends.

• Баскетбол очень популярен в Америке.

  Basketball is very popular in America.

• Наша школа выиграла чемпионат по баскетболу.

  Our school won the basketball championship.

• Ты смотрел вчерашний матч по баскетболу?

  Did you watch the basketball game yesterday?

• Он тренирует детскую команду по баскетболу.

  He coaches a children’s basketball team.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

баскетбол is a masculine noun in Russian. It follows the standard declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Note: This word does not have a plural form as it refers to the sport as a concept or activity.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• нет (No direct synonyms; it is a borrowed term with a specific meaning)

Antonyms:

• нет (No direct antonyms as it is a specific sport)

Related Phrases:

• играть в баскетбол - To play basketball
• баскетбольная команда - Basketball team
• баскетбольное кольцо - Basketball hoop
• баскетбольный матч - Basketball match/game
• баскетбольная площадка - Basketball court

Usage Notes:

• The term "баскетбол" is a direct borrowing from English and is used universally in Russian to refer to the sport. There are no native Russian equivalents.
• It is always used with the preposition "в" when referring to playing the sport (e.g., "играть в баскетбол").
• The word is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, such as in sports commentary, casual conversation, or academic discussions about sports.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting the preposition "в" when talking about playing basketball. Incorrect: "Я играю баскетбол." Correct: "Я играю в баскетбол." Explanation: In Russian, sports and games often require the preposition "в" with the accusative case to indicate participation.
• Error: Misplacing stress on the first syllable. Incorrect pronunciation: [ˈbaskʲɪtbol]. Correct: [bɐskʲɪtˈbol]. Explanation: Stress in borrowed words like "баскетбол" often falls on the last syllable in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

While basketball is not as historically dominant in Russia as sports like ice hockey or soccer, it has gained popularity, especially since the Soviet era when the USSR national team achieved success in international competitions, including Olympic medals. The term "баскетбол" is widely recognized and used, particularly among younger generations and in urban areas.

Related Concepts:

• спорт - Sport
• футбол - Football/Soccer
• волейбол - Volleyball
• мяч - Ball
• команда - Team