Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Candle'

English Word: Candle

Key Russian Translations:

• свеча [svʲɪˈt͡ɕa] - [Common, Singular]
• свечи [svʲɪˈt͡ɕi] - [Plural]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts related to household items or religious settings)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate, due to straightforward meaning but some grammatical complexity in declension)

Pronunciation (Russian):

свеча: [svʲɪˈt͡ɕa]

Note on свеча: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'ч' sound is a soft affricate, similar to 'ch' in "church," but softer.

свечи: [svʲɪˈt͡ɕi]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A wax or tallow stick with a wick for lighting

Translation(s) & Context:

• свеча - Used for a single candle, often in household or decorative contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я зажёг свечу на столе.

  I lit a candle on the table.

• В комнате было темно, и я взял свечу.

  The room was dark, so I took a candle.

• Она купила ароматическую свечу.

  She bought a scented candle.

2. Candle in a religious or ceremonial context

Translation(s) & Context:

• свеча - Often used in churches or during religious ceremonies.

Usage Examples:

• В церкви мы ставим свечи за здоровье.

  In church, we light candles for health.

• Он поставил свечу перед иконой.

  He placed a candle in front of the icon.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word свеча is a feminine noun in Russian and follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• огарок (refers to a candle stub, less common)

Note: There are few direct synonyms for "свеча" as it is the primary term for "candle." "Огарок" is more specific to a burnt-out candle.

Antonyms:

• лампа (lamp, as an alternative source of light)

Related Phrases:

• зажечь свечу - to light a candle (common in both literal and figurative contexts)
• ставить свечу - to place/light a candle (often in a religious context)
• игра не стоит свеч - the game is not worth the candle (an idiom meaning the effort is not worth the result)

Usage Notes:

• The word "свеча" is the standard and most widely used term for "candle" in Russian, applicable in both everyday and religious contexts.
• In religious settings, lighting a candle ("ставить свечу") often carries symbolic meaning, such as praying for someone's health or memory.
• Be mindful of the grammatical case when using "свеча" in sentences, as Russian nouns decline based on their role in the sentence (see the declension table above).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case ending, e.g., saying "Я купил свеча" instead of "Я купил свечу" (accusative case required after "купил"). Explanation: Russian nouns change form depending on their grammatical function; always check the case required by the verb or preposition.
• Error: Misplacing stress when pronouncing "свеча," e.g., stressing the first syllable [ˈsvʲɪt͡ɕa] instead of the correct [svʲɪˈt͡ɕa]. Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial and can change meaning or sound unnatural if misplaced.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian Orthodox tradition, candles play a significant role in religious practices. Lighting a candle in a church is often a gesture of prayer or remembrance. It is common to see people buying and lighting candles during church services, placing them in designated areas to symbolize their intentions.

Related Concepts:

• фитиль (wick)
• воск (wax)
• церковь (church)