Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Carton'

English Word: carton

Key Russian Translations:

• картонка [kɐrˈtonkə] - [Informal, Often refers to a small carton or piece of cardboard]
• коробка [kɐˈropkə] - [General, Refers to a box or carton for packaging]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

картонка: [kɐrˈtonkə]

Note on картонка: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'р' is rolled slightly.

коробка: [kɐˈropkə]

Note on коробка: Stress is on the second syllable. The 'о' sounds like a short 'a' in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A container made of cardboard or similar material (e.g., for milk, eggs)

Translation(s) & Context:

• коробка - Commonly used for packaging items like milk, juice, or eggs.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил коробку молока в магазине.

  I bought a carton of milk at the store.

• Коробка сока стоит на столе.

  The carton of juice is on the table.

• У нас закончились коробки для яиц.

  We’ve run out of egg cartons.

2. A piece of cardboard or small cardboard item

Translation(s) & Context:

• картонка - Often refers to a small piece of cardboard or an informal reference to a carton.

Usage Examples:

• Дай мне картонку, чтобы подложить под стол.

  Give me a piece of cardboard to put under the table.

• Эта картонка слишком тонкая для поделки.

  This carton is too thin for a craft project.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

1. картонка (feminine noun): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian.

2. коробка (feminine noun): Also follows the standard feminine declension pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for коробка:

• упаковка (packaging)
• контейнер (container) - Less common in casual speech.

Synonyms for картонка:

• картон (cardboard) - Refers to the material itself.

Antonyms: None directly applicable for either term.

Related Phrases:

• коробка из-под молока - A carton that used to contain milk (literal: box from under milk).
• картонная коробка - A cardboard carton/box.
• сложить в коробку - To pack into a carton/box.

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "коробка" when referring to a carton as a container for items like milk or eggs. Use "картонка" for a smaller piece of cardboard or in informal contexts.
• Register: Both terms are neutral, but "картонка" can sound more colloquial.
• Grammar: Both nouns are feminine, so adjectives and verbs must agree accordingly.

Common Errors:

• Mixing up translations: English speakers might use "картонка" for a milk carton, which sounds odd to native speakers. Correct usage: "коробка молока" for a milk carton. Incorrect: "картонка молока".
• Declension errors: Forgetting to decline the noun based on case. For example, saying "Я купил коробка" (nominative) instead of "Я купил коробку" (accusative).

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, packaging like milk cartons ("коробка") often reflects practical design, and recycling cardboard is becoming more common. The word "коробка" can also refer to gift boxes, so context is important.

Related Concepts:

• упаковка (packaging)
• контейнер (container)
• ящик (crate)