Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cabbage'

English Word: Cabbage

Key Russian Translations:

• капуста [kɐˈpustə] - [Common, General Use]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner)

Pronunciation (Russian):

капуста: [kɐˈpustə]

Note on капуста: The stress falls on the second syllable. The 'у' is pronounced as a short 'oo' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Vegetable (Literal Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• капуста - Refers to the vegetable 'cabbage,' used in cooking and everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил капусту на рынке.

  I bought cabbage at the market.

• Мы готовим борщ с капустой.

  We are cooking borscht with cabbage.

• Капуста очень полезна для здоровья.

  Cabbage is very healthy.

• Ты можешь нарезать капусту для салата?

  Can you chop the cabbage for the salad?

• Эта капуста свежая, только с огорода.

  This cabbage is fresh, straight from the garden.

2. Slang for Money (Informal, Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• капуста - Used colloquially to mean 'money' or 'cash' in informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У тебя есть капуста на выходные?

  Do you have any cash for the weekend?

• Он заработал много капусты на этом деле.

  He made a lot of money from this deal.

• Мне нужно больше капусты, чтобы купить машину.

  I need more money to buy a car.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

капуста is a feminine noun. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in '-а' in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for капуста (as vegetable):

• кочан (specifically for a head of cabbage)

Synonyms for капуста (as money, slang):

• бабки
• деньги

Note: 'бабки' is very informal and slangy, while 'деньги' is the standard term for money.

Antonyms: None applicable in the literal or slang sense.

Related Phrases:

• белокочанная капуста - White cabbage, a common type of cabbage in Russian cuisine.
• тушёная капуста - Stewed cabbage, a traditional dish.
• рубить капусту - Literally 'to chop cabbage,' but in slang, it means 'to make money quickly.'

Usage Notes:

• The word 'капуста' is the most common and general term for 'cabbage' in Russian and is used in both formal and informal contexts when referring to the vegetable.
• In slang usage, 'капуста' meaning 'money' is highly informal and should be avoided in formal or professional settings. It is akin to saying 'dough' or 'cash' in English.
• When using 'капуста' in the context of food, it can refer to any type of cabbage unless specified (e.g., белокочанная for white cabbage).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'капуста' to mean 'money' in formal contexts. For example, saying "Мне нужно больше капусты" (I need more money) in a business meeting is inappropriate.

  Correct Usage: Use 'деньги' instead: "Мне нужно больше денег."

  Explanation: 'капуста' as 'money' is slang and should be restricted to casual conversations among friends.

• Error: Incorrect case usage due to not declining the noun properly, e.g., saying "Я купил капуста" instead of "Я купил капусту."

  Correct Usage: Use the accusative case after 'купил': "Я купил капусту."

  Explanation: Russian nouns change form based on their grammatical role in the sentence. Learn the case endings for proper usage.

Cultural Notes:

Cabbage, or 'капуста,' holds a significant place in Russian cuisine and culture. It is a staple ingredient in dishes like borscht (beet soup) and shchi (cabbage soup), reflecting its importance in traditional diets, especially during long winters when preserved cabbage (sauerkraut, or квашеная капуста) was a vital food source. The slang usage of 'капуста' for money may stem from its historical value as a widely available and valuable crop.

Related Concepts:

• борщ (borscht)
• щи (shchi, cabbage soup)
• квашеная капуста (sauerkraut)