Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bookshelf'

English Word: Bookshelf

Key Russian Translations:

• книжный шкаф [ˈknʲiʐnɨj ʂkaf] - [Formal, Singular]
• полка для книг [ˈpolkə dʲlʲa ˈknʲik] - [Informal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

книжный шкаф: [ˈknʲiʐnɨj ʂkaf]

Note on книжный шкаф: Pay attention to the soft 'ж' sound in 'книжный'; it's a common challenge for non-native speakers.

полка для книг: [ˈpolkə dʲlʲa ˈknʲik]

Note on полка для книг: The stress is on the first syllable of 'полка'; incorrect stress can change the meaning or sound unnatural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A piece of furniture for storing books

Translation(s) & Context:

• книжный шкаф - Typically refers to a larger, standalone piece of furniture, often with doors or shelves, used in formal or traditional settings.
• полка для книг - Refers to a single shelf or a simpler, smaller structure for books, often mounted on a wall, used in casual contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В гостиной стоит старинный книжный шкаф, полный редких книг.

  In the living room, there is an antique bookshelf full of rare books.

• Я купил книжный шкаф для своей библиотеки.

  I bought a bookshelf for my library.

• На полке для книг лежат только детские сказки.

  On the bookshelf, there are only children's fairy tales.

• Повесь эту полку для книг над столом.

  Hang this bookshelf above the desk.

• У меня нет места для нового книжного шкафа, поэтому я использую полки.

  I don’t have space for a new bookshelf, so I use shelves.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

книжный шкаф (Noun, Masculine):

полка для книг (Noun, Feminine):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for книжный шкаф:

• библиотечный шкаф
• шкаф для книг

Note: 'библиотечный шкаф' is more specific to library settings, while 'шкаф для книг' is a direct but less common variant.

Synonyms for полка для книг:

• книжная полка

Antonyms: None directly applicable for this concept.

Related Phrases:

• поставить книгу на книжный шкаф - To place a book on the bookshelf.
• убрать пыль с полки для книг - To dust off the bookshelf.
• собрать книжный шкаф - To assemble a bookshelf.

Usage Notes:

• 'книжный шкаф' is more formal and often implies a larger or more enclosed piece of furniture, while 'полка для книг' is casual and can refer to a single shelf or smaller setup.
• When speaking about furniture in a home, 'книжный шкаф' is more common in formal descriptions (e.g., in stores or design contexts), whereas 'полка' might be used in everyday conversation.
• Ensure correct grammatical agreement when using these nouns with adjectives or verbs, as they differ in gender ('шкаф' is masculine, 'полка' is feminine).

Common Errors:

• Incorrect Stress: English speakers often misplace stress in 'полка', saying [polˈka] instead of [ˈpolkə]. This can make it sound like the word for 'polka' (a dance). Always stress the first syllable.
• Wrong Case Usage: Beginners often use the nominative case incorrectly after prepositions. For example, saying 'на книжный шкаф' instead of 'на книжном шкафе' (prepositional case) when describing location.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a 'книжный шкаф' often symbolizes education and intellectual status, especially in older generations. Homes with large bookshelves filled with classic literature are seen as a sign of cultural appreciation.

Related Concepts:

• библиотека (library)
• книга (book)
• мебель (furniture)