Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bread'

English Word: bread

Key Russian Translations:

• хлеб (/xlʲep/) - [Informal/Common, Singular]

Frequency: High (A staple word in everyday Russian conversation, especially in contexts related to food and daily life).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage and pronunciation).

Pronunciation (Russian):

хлеб: /xlʲep/

Note on хлеб: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch." Be careful with the soft 'л' (lʲ), which adds a palatalized sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A staple food made from flour, water, and yeast, often baked.

Translation(s) & Context:

• хлеб - Used in general contexts for bread as a food item, such as in meals or baking. Common in informal and formal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я ем хлеб с маслом. (Ya yem khleb s maslom.)

  I eat bread with butter. (This example shows the word in a simple daily meal context, demonstrating basic noun usage in a sentence.)

• Свежий хлеб всегда вкусный. (Svezhiy khleb vsegda vkusnyy.)

  Fresh bread is always tasty. (Here, 'хлеб' is used with an adjective to describe quality, illustrating attributive modification.)

• В магазине нет хлеба. (V magazine net khleba.)

  There is no bread in the store. (This demonstrates 'хлеб' in a negative existential sentence, common in shopping scenarios.)

• Мы пекли хлеб дома. (My pekli khleb doma.)

  We baked bread at home. (Shows 'хлеб' in the context of an action, paired with a verb to indicate preparation.)

• Хлеб — это основа русского стола. (Khleb — eto osnova russkogo stola.)

  Bread is the basis of the Russian table. (This example highlights cultural emphasis, using 'хлеб' in a proverbial or symbolic sense.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"хлеб" is a masculine noun in the third declension. It follows standard patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: булка (bulka) - Refers specifically to a loaf or roll, often softer; пшеничный хлеб (pshenichnyy khleb) - Wheat bread, used for more specific types.
• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as "хлеб" is a concrete noun, but conceptually: пустота (pustota) - Emptiness, in metaphorical contexts.)

Related Phrases:

• Хлеб насущный (Khleb nasushnyy) - Meaning: Daily bread; a phrase derived from the Lord's Prayer, used idiomatically for essential sustenance in everyday or religious contexts.
• Ежедневный хлеб (Ezhednevnyy khleb) - Meaning: Daily bread; refers to routine food needs, often in discussions about economy or survival.
• Свежий хлеб (Svezhiy khleb) - Meaning: Fresh bread; a common phrase for bakery items, emphasizing quality in shopping or cooking scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Хлеб" directly corresponds to the English "bread" as a basic noun, but it's more culturally embedded in Russian, symbolizing sustenance and hospitality. Use it in formal and informal settings without restrictions, but note that Russian sentence structure often requires cases (e.g., genitive for possession). When choosing between translations like "хлеб" and "булка," opt for "хлеб" for general references and "булка" for specific bread types. Grammatically, always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хлеб" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я хочу хлеб" when it should be "Я хочу хлеба" in certain contexts (e.g., "I want bread" implying possession). Correct: Я хочу хлеба. Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case after verbs like "want," which English speakers often overlook.
• Error: Pronouncing it as /khlɛp/ instead of /xlʲep/, softening the 'л'. Correct Pronunciation: /xlʲep/. Explanation: The palatalized 'л' is key; mispronouncing it can make the word sound unnatural or confusing to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "хлеб" (bread) holds deep symbolic meaning, often representing hospitality, abundance, and tradition. For instance, it's customary to offer bread and salt to guests as a sign of welcome, rooted in historical practices from Slavic folklore. This makes "хлеб" more than just food—it's a metaphor for life's essentials in literature and everyday expressions.

Related Concepts:

• масло (maslo) - Butter
• пища (pishcha) - Food
• выпечка (vypechka) - Bakery items