Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'call'

English Word: call

Key Russian Translations:

• звонить [zvɐˈnʲitʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used for phone calls or ringing]
• позвонить [pəzvɐˈnʲitʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Perfective, Used for a completed call]
• называть [nəzɨˈvatʲ] - [Neutral, Verb, Used for naming or addressing someone]

Frequency: High (especially "звонить" and "позвонить")

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate for "звонить/позвонить"; B2 for "называть" due to nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

звонить: [zvɐˈnʲitʲ]

Note on звонить: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "з" is pronounced like the 'z' in "zebra."

позвонить: [pəzvɐˈnʲitʲ]

Note on позвонить: Similar to "звонить," but with a prefix "по-" indicating completion of the action.

называть: [nəzɨˈvatʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To make a phone call or ring

Translation(s) & Context:

• звонить - Used for the ongoing act of calling or ringing (imperfective).
• позвонить - Used for a completed or one-time act of calling (perfective).

Usage Examples:

• Я звоню тебе каждый день.

  I call you every day.

• Позвони мне, когда будешь дома.

  Call me when you’re home.

• Телефон звонит, но никто не отвечает.

  The phone is ringing, but no one answers.

2. To name or refer to someone/something

Translation(s) & Context:

• называть - Used when naming, addressing, or labeling someone/something.

Usage Examples:

• Как тебя называют друзья?

  What do your friends call you?

• Его называют героем.

  He is called a hero.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

звонить (Imperfective Verb, 2nd Conjugation):

позвонить (Perfective Verb): Used only in past and future tenses to indicate a completed action. Example: "позвонил" (called, past, masculine).

называть (Imperfective Verb, 1st Conjugation): Follows regular conjugation patterns. Example: "называю" (I call/name).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for звонить/позвонить (to call by phone):

• набирать
• созваниваться (colloquial, mutual calling)

Synonyms for называть (to name):

• именовать (formal)
• обзывать (pejorative, to call names)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for "call" in these senses.

Related Phrases:

• позвонить по телефону - To call by phone (redundant but common).
• звонить в дверь - To ring the doorbell.
• называть по имени - To call by name (address someone directly).

Usage Notes:

• "звонить" is imperfective and used for ongoing or repeated actions, while "позвонить" is perfective and used for a single, completed action. English speakers often struggle with this aspectual distinction.
• "называть" cannot be used for phone calls; it strictly refers to naming or addressing.
• In informal settings, Russians often answer the phone with "Алло" (Allo), which is a cultural norm.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "звонить" when a completed action is implied. Incorrect: "Я звоню тебе вчера." Correct: "Я позвонил тебе вчера." (I called you yesterday.)
• Error: Confusing "называть" with phone calls. Incorrect: "Я называю тебе." Correct: "Я звоню тебе." (I’m calling you.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phone etiquette can be more direct than in English-speaking countries. For instance, it’s common to state your purpose immediately after greeting when calling someone. Additionally, "звонить" can metaphorically extend to "ringing" in contexts like doorbells or alarms, reflecting a broader sensory usage.

Related Concepts:

• телефон (telephone)
• вызов (call, summons)
• имя (name)