Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'blockbuster'

English Word: blockbuster

Key Russian Translations:

• блокбастер /blɐkˈbastər/ - [Informal, Used in media and entertainment contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in modern Russian media discussions but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it is a borrowed word; English speakers may find it straightforward due to similarity, but requires understanding of Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

блокбастер: /blɐkˈbastər/

Note on блокбастер: The stress is on the second syllable ('bas'). Be cautious with the Russian 'б' sound, which is like a soft 'b', and the 'а' vowels may vary slightly in informal speech. Pronunciation is relatively consistent across regions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A highly successful film, book, or event that attracts a large audience

Translation(s) & Context:

• блокбастер - Used in contexts involving popular culture, such as movies or entertainment industry discussions. Often implies commercial success and high production value.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм стал настоящим блокбастером лета. (This film became a real blockbuster of the summer.)

  English Translation: This film became a real blockbuster of the summer.

• Голливуд выпускает блокбастеры, которые собирают миллионы зрителей. (Hollywood releases blockbusters that attract millions of viewers.)

  English Translation: Hollywood releases blockbusters that attract millions of viewers.

• Книга превратилась в блокбастер и была экранизирована. (The book turned into a blockbuster and was adapted into a film.)

  English Translation: The book turned into a blockbuster and was adapted into a film.

• В России тоже снимают блокбастеры с спецэффектами. (In Russia, they also produce blockbusters with special effects.)

  English Translation: In Russia, they also produce blockbusters with special effects.

• Блокбастеры часто доминируют в прокате, вытесняя независимое кино. (Blockbusters often dominate the box office, pushing out independent films.)

  English Translation: Blockbusters often dominate the box office, pushing out independent films.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Блокбастер is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from English, and it follows the standard patterns of Russian third-declension nouns for foreign words. It is somewhat regular but can vary based on context. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

Note: As a foreign loanword, it does not have irregular forms, but always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хит (hit) - Often used for music or general successes, with a broader application.
  • бестселлер (bestseller) - Similar for books, implying high sales.
• Antonyms:
  • флоп (flop) - Refers to a commercial failure.
  • провал (failure) - A more general term for something that doesn't succeed.

Related Phrases:

• голливудский блокбастер (Hollywood blockbuster) - A phrase referring to large-scale American films; used in discussions of international cinema.
• российский блокбастер (Russian blockbuster) - Describes domestically produced hits; often highlights national themes or adaptations.
• летний блокбастер (summer blockbuster) - Refers to films released in summer for high audience turnout; implies seasonal marketing strategies.

Usage Notes:

Блокбастер directly corresponds to the English "blockbuster" as a loanword, making it easy for English speakers to adopt. It is primarily used in formal and informal media contexts, such as film reviews or casual conversations about entertainment. Be mindful of its masculine gender in Russian sentences, ensuring verb and adjective agreement (e.g., "Этот блокбастер интересный" - This blockbuster is interesting). When choosing between synonyms like "хит" or "бестселлер," opt for "блокбастер" in visual media contexts for precision. It's neutral in tone but can carry positive connotations of success.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "блокбастер" as feminine or neuter, e.g., saying "Эта блокбастер" instead of "Этот блокбастер."

  Correct Usage: Use masculine forms, e.g., "Этот блокбастер был успешен." (This blockbuster was successful.) Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, and "блокбастер" is masculine, so adjectives and articles must agree.

• Error: Mispronouncing as /blokˈbaster/ without the soft Russian sounds, which can make it sound unnatural.

  Correct Usage: Pronounce as /blɐkˈbastər/ with proper vowel reductions. Explanation: In fast speech, unstressed vowels in Russian often reduce, so practice with native audio to avoid sounding foreign.

Cultural Notes:

"Блокбастер" entered Russian vocabulary through Hollywood's influence in the 20th century, reflecting the global dominance of American cinema. In Russian culture, it often symbolizes high-budget escapism, but there's a growing emphasis on domestic blockbusters to promote national identity, as seen in films like those from the Russian studio Mosfilm. This term highlights the blend of Western and Russian entertainment traditions.

Related Concepts:

• фильм (film)
• киноиндустрия (film industry)
• спецэффекты (special effects)