Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cash'

English Word: cash

Key Russian Translations:

• наличные [ˈnalʲɪtɕnɨje] - [Plural, Informal/Formal]
• деньги [ˈdʲenʲɡʲi] - [Plural, General Usage]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

наличные: [ˈnalʲɪtɕnɨje]

Note on наличные: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'ч' sound is a soft 'ch' typical in Russian.

деньги: [ˈdʲenʲɡʲi]

Note on деньги: Stress on the first syllable. The soft 'д' and 'г' require a slight palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical money (coins and bills)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наличные - Used specifically for cash as opposed to digital or card payments.

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть только наличные, карты не принимают.

  I only have cash; they don't accept cards.

• Можно оплатить наличными?

  Can I pay in cash?

• Я снял наличные в банкомате.

  I withdrew cash from the ATM.

2. Money in general (not necessarily physical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• деньги - Broad term for money, including cash, savings, or funds.

Usage Examples:

• У тебя есть деньги на обед?

  Do you have money for lunch?

• Мне нужно больше денег для поездки.

  I need more money for the trip.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

наличные: This is a plural-only noun in Russian, derived from "наличный" (adjective meaning "cash"). It does not have a singular form in this context. Below is the declension table for "наличные":

деньги: Also a plural-only noun in Russian. It follows an irregular declension pattern:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for наличные:

• наличка (Colloquial, Informal)

Synonyms for деньги:

• средства (Formal, often used for funds)
• финансы (Formal, financial context)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "cash" or "money" lack clear opposites in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• наличные деньги - Cash money (emphasizes physical currency).
• безналичные деньги - Non-cash money (refers to digital or card payments).
• деньги на ветер - Money down the drain (idiom for wasting money).

Usage Notes:

• "наличные" specifically refers to physical cash and is used when distinguishing between cash and other forms of payment. It is inappropriate for abstract or general references to money.
• "деньги" is a more versatile term that can mean money in any form (cash, bank funds, etc.). It is the default word for "money" in most contexts.
• Both terms are always plural in Russian, so they take plural verb forms and agreement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "наличные" when referring to money in general. For example, saying "У меня нет наличных" when meaning "I have no money" might imply you have no physical cash but could have funds elsewhere. Correct: Use "деньги" for general contexts: "У меня нет денег."
• Error: Incorrect case usage due to irregular declension of "деньги." For example, saying "Я заплатил деньгами" is correct, but beginners might mistakenly use "деньги" in all cases. Learn the declension table to avoid errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cash transactions are still common in many settings, especially in smaller shops or markets, despite the rise of digital payments. Asking "Можно наличными?" (Can I pay in cash?) is a frequent phrase in everyday interactions. Additionally, "деньги" carries a neutral connotation, but discussing money openly can sometimes be considered impolite in formal or personal settings.

Related Concepts:

• банкомат (ATM)
• кошелёк (wallet)
• оплата (payment)