Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'beer'

English Word: beer

Key Russian Translations:

• пиво [ˈpʲivə] - [Neutral, Most Common]

Frequency: High (commonly used in everyday conversations)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) - Easy to learn and widely recognized

Pronunciation (Russian):

пиво: [ˈpʲivə]

Note on пиво: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'и' sounds like 'ee' in 'see', and the 'о' at the end is reduced to a schwa sound in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Alcoholic Beverage Made from Malt and Hops

Translation(s) & Context:

• пиво - Refers to beer as a general alcoholic drink, used in all contexts (formal and informal).

Usage Examples:

• Я купил бутылку пива в магазине.

  I bought a bottle of beer at the store.

• Ты хочешь пива после работы?

  Do you want a beer after work?

• На вечеринке было много пива и закусок.

  There was a lot of beer and snacks at the party.

• В России пиво часто пьют с рыбой.

  In Russia, beer is often drunk with fish.

• Какое пиво ты предпочитаешь — светлое или тёмное?

  What kind of beer do you prefer — light or dark?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

пиво is a neuter noun in Russian and follows the standard declension pattern for neuter nouns ending in -о. It does not change in the plural form (remains "пиво"). Below is the declension table:

Note: "пиво" is often treated as a mass noun, so it is rarely used in the plural unless referring to different types of beer (e.g., "разные пива" = different beers).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• пивко (informal, affectionate)

Note on Synonyms: "пивко" is a colloquial and affectionate form of "пиво", often used among friends or in casual settings.

Antonyms:

• вода (water)
• сок (juice)

Related Phrases:

• светлое пиво - Light beer (refers to lager or pale beer).
• тёмное пиво - Dark beer (refers to stout or porter).
• пить пиво - To drink beer (common expression for casual drinking).
• пиво с друзьями - Beer with friends (a typical social activity).

Usage Notes:

• "пиво" is the universal term for beer in Russian and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It corresponds directly to the English "beer".
• It is a mass noun, so it is often used without a plural form unless specifying types of beer.
• In casual speech, Russians may use diminutive forms like "пивко" to express friendliness or informality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using plural form "пива" incorrectly as a countable noun (e.g., "Я купил три пива" instead of "Я купил три бутылки пива").
• Explanation: "пиво" is typically uncountable. To specify quantity, use a container or measure like "бутылка" (bottle) or "стакан" (glass). Correct: "Я купил три бутылки пива" (I bought three bottles of beer).
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation (saying [piˈvo] instead of [ˈpʲivə]).
• Explanation: Stress must be on the first syllable. Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural or confusing.

Cultural Notes:

Beer ("пиво") holds a significant place in Russian social culture, often associated with casual gatherings, sports events, and relaxation. It is commonly paired with snacks like dried fish ("рыба") or nuts. In recent years, craft beer has gained popularity in urban areas, leading to a growing interest in different "виды пива" (types of beer). Historically, beer was less dominant than vodka, but it has become a staple in modern Russian life.

Related Concepts:

• водка (vodka)
• квас (kvass - a traditional fermented drink)
• алкоголь (alcohol)
• закуска (snack, often paired with drinks)