Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bell'

English Word: bell

Key Russian Translations:

• колокол [ˈkɐləkəl] - [Formal, Often used for church bells or large bells]
• звонок [zvɐˈnok] - [Informal, Commonly used for small bells, doorbells, or phone rings]

Frequency: Medium (both translations are commonly used depending on context)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

колокол: [ˈkɐləkəl]

Note on колокол: Stress is on the first syllable. The middle "o" is reduced due to Russian vowel reduction rules.

звонок: [zvɐˈnok]

Note on звонок: Stress is on the second syllable. The "o" in the first syllable is pronounced as "a" due to reduction.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A large bell, often in a church or tower

Translation(s) & Context:

• колокол - Used for large bells, especially in religious or historical contexts (e.g., church bells).

Usage Examples:

• Колокол звонит каждое утро в шесть часов.

  The bell rings every morning at six o'clock.

• В старой церкви висит огромный колокол.

  A huge bell hangs in the old church.

• Колокол возвестил о начале службы.

  The bell announced the start of the service.

2. A small bell, doorbell, or sound of a ring

Translation(s) & Context:

• звонок - Refers to smaller bells, doorbells, or the sound of ringing (e.g., phone or school bell).

Usage Examples:

• Я услышал звонок в дверь и пошёл открывать.

  I heard the doorbell and went to open the door.

• Звонок на урок прозвучал пять минут назад.

  The bell for class rang five minutes ago.

• Телефонный звонок разбудил меня рано утром.

  A phone call woke me up early in the morning.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

колокол (Masculine Noun): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms.

звонок (Masculine Noun): Also follows the second declension pattern. Similar structure to "колокол" with regular endings.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for колокол:

• бубенец (smaller or decorative bell, less common)

Note: "бубенец" often refers to smaller, jingle-type bells, unlike the larger "колокол".

Synonyms for звонок:

• сигнал (signal or alert, broader meaning)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for either term.

Related Phrases:

• бить в колокол - "to ring the bell" (often used metaphorically to raise an alarm or signal danger).
• дверной звонок - "doorbell" (literal use for the device at a door).
• телефонный звонок - "phone call" (common expression for receiving a call).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "колокол" and "звонок" depends heavily on the size and context of the bell. Use "колокол" for large, resonant bells (e.g., church bells), and "звонок" for smaller bells or the act/sound of ringing (e.g., doorbells, school bells).
• "Звонок" is more versatile and can also mean "a call" in the context of a phone ringing.
• Both terms are masculine nouns, so they follow similar grammatical patterns in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "колокол" for a doorbell or phone ring. Incorrect: "Я услышал колокол в дверь." Correct: "Я услышал звонок в дверь." Explanation: "Колокол" implies a large bell and is inappropriate for small, everyday ringing sounds.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation. Incorrect: Stressing "колокол" on the second syllable. Correct: Stress on the first syllable [ˈkɐləkəl]. Explanation: Stress patterns are crucial in Russian, and misplacement can lead to misunderstanding.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "колокол" often carries a historical and religious significance, as church bells have played a major role in signaling events, holidays, or emergencies in Russian history. The sound of a "колокол" is deeply associated with Orthodox Christian traditions.

Related Concepts:

• церковь (church)
• праздник (holiday)
• сигнал (signal)