Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Briefcase'

English Word: Briefcase

Key Russian Translations:

• портфель [pɐrtˈfʲelʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• кейс [keɪs] - [Informal, Modern/Business Context]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

портфель: [pɐrtˈfʲelʲ]

Note on портфель: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'р' is rolled, and 'ф' is pronounced as a soft 'f'.

кейс: [keɪs]

Note on кейс: Borrowed from English, pronounced similarly to the English 'case' but with a sharper 'k'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A bag for carrying documents or business materials

Translation(s) & Context:

• портфель - Commonly used for a traditional briefcase, often associated with formal or professional settings.
• кейс - Refers to a modern briefcase or case, often used in business or tech contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он положил документы в портфель перед встречей.

  He put the documents in his briefcase before the meeting.

• Её портфель был полон важных бумаг.

  Her briefcase was full of important papers.

• Я купил новый кейс для ноутбука.

  I bought a new case for my laptop.

• Кейс выглядел очень профессионально на презентации.

  The case looked very professional at the presentation.

• У тебя есть портфель или кейс для этих материалов?

  Do you have a briefcase or a case for these materials?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

портфель (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	портфель	портфели
Genitive	портфеля	портфелей
Dative	портфелю	портфелям
Accusative	портфель	портфели
Instrumental	портфелем	портфелями
Prepositional	о портфеле	о портфелях

кейс (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate): Also follows the second declension pattern, similar to портфель.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	кейс	кейсы
Genitive	кейса	кейсов
Dative	кейсу	кейсам
Accusative	кейс	кейсы
Instrumental	кейсом	кейсами
Prepositional	о кейсе	о кейсах

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for портфель/кейс:

• сумка (bag, less formal)
• чемоданчик (small suitcase, less common)

Note: 'сумка' is broader and can refer to any bag, while 'чемоданчик' implies a smaller suitcase-like item.

Antonyms for портфель/кейс:

• рюкзак (backpack)

Related Phrases:

• деловой портфель - Business briefcase (used for professional documents).
• кейс для ноутбука - Laptop case (modern usage for tech gear).
• нести портфель - To carry a briefcase (common expression for going to work).

Usage Notes:

• 'портфель' is the more traditional and formal term for a briefcase, often associated with office workers or professionals like lawyers and teachers.
• 'кейс' is a borrowed term from English, more modern, and often used in business or tech contexts to refer to a sleek, professional case.
• Choose 'портфель' for general or formal contexts, and 'кейс' when referring to something contemporary or tech-related.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using 'сумка' instead of 'портфель' when referring to a professional briefcase.

Incorrect: У меня есть сумка для документов. (I have a bag for documents.)

Correct: У меня есть портфель для документов. (I have a briefcase for documents.)

Explanation: 'сумка' is a general term for any bag and lacks the professional connotation of 'портфель'.

Error 2: Misusing 'кейс' in formal or traditional contexts.

Incorrect: У учителя был кейс с учебниками. (The teacher had a case with textbooks.)

Correct: У учителя был портфель с учебниками. (The teacher had a briefcase with textbooks.)

Explanation: 'кейс' feels too modern for traditional roles like teachers; 'портфель' is more appropriate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'портфель' often evokes imagery of Soviet-era professionals or schoolchildren, as it was historically used for both briefcases and schoolbags. Today, while 'портфель' retains its formal usage, 'кейс' reflects globalization and the influence of Western business culture.

Related Concepts:

• сумка (bag)
• рюкзак (backpack)
• чемодан (suitcase)