Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'child'

English Word: child

Key Russian Translations:

• ребёнок [rʲɪˈbʲonək] - [Neutral, Most Common]
• дитя [ˈdʲitʲə] - [Formal, Literary]
• малыш [mɐˈlɨʂ] - [Informal, Affectionate, Usually for Younger Children]

Frequency: High (especially 'ребёнок')

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for 'ребёнок'; B1 (Intermediate) for 'дитя' and 'малыш' due to stylistic nuances

Pronunciation (Russian):

ребёнок: [rʲɪˈbʲonək]

Note on ребёнок: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'ё' is always stressed and pronounced as a distinct 'yo' sound.

дитя: [ˈdʲitʲə]

Note on дитя: Stress on the first syllable. The final 'я' is pronounced softly.

малыш: [mɐˈlɨʂ]

Note on малыш: Stress on the second syllable. Often used tenderly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A young human being (general sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ребёнок - Used in most general contexts to refer to a child of any age below adulthood.
• малыш - Typically used for very young children or as an affectionate term.

Usage Examples:

• Этот ребёнок очень умный.

  This child is very smart.

• Малыш, не плачь, всё будет хорошо.

  Little one, don't cry, everything will be okay.

• У неё трое детей, и каждый ребёнок уникален.

  She has three children, and each child is unique.

2. Offspring (formal or poetic sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дитя - Used in formal, literary, or religious contexts to mean 'child' or 'offspring'.

Usage Examples:

• Дитя моё, будь осторожен.

  My child, be careful.

• Она смотрела на своё дитя с любовью.

  She looked at her child with love.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ребёнок (noun, masculine): Regular noun declension in singular and plural.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	ребёнок	дети
Genitive	ребёнка	детей
Dative	ребёнку	детям
Accusative	ребёнка	детей
Instrumental	ребёнком	детьми
Prepositional	о ребёнке	о детях

Note: The plural form 'дети' is irregular and commonly used.

дитя (noun, neuter): Less common, mostly used in singular, with limited plural forms (rarely 'дети' in poetic contexts).

малыш (noun, masculine): Follows standard masculine noun declension rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for 'ребёнок':

• малыш (more affectionate)
• дитя (formal/literary)
• кроха (very young child, affectionate)

Antonyms for 'ребёнок':

• взрослый (adult)
• старик (old person)

Related Phrases:

• ребёнок войны - "child of war" (refers to someone who grew up during wartime)
• мой малыш - "my little one" (affectionate term for a child)
• дитя природы - "child of nature" (poetic, refers to someone close to nature)

Usage Notes:

• 'ребёнок' is the most neutral and widely used term for 'child'. It can refer to any young person below adulthood.
• 'малыш' carries an affectionate tone and is often used for younger children or as a term of endearment.
• 'дитя' is archaic or literary and should be avoided in everyday speech unless aiming for a formal or poetic effect.
• Be mindful of the irregular plural 'дети' for 'ребёнок', as it is frequently used and essential for correct grammar.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'дитя' in casual conversation. Incorrect: "Это моё дитя играет." Correct: "Это мой ребёнок играет." (Explanation: 'дитя' sounds outdated or overly formal in spoken language.)
• Error: Forgetting the irregular plural 'дети'. Incorrect: "У меня два ребёнка." Correct: "У меня двое детей." (Explanation: Always use 'дети' for plural.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, children are often addressed with affectionate diminutives like 'малыш' or nicknames. Terms like 'ребёнок' can also appear in formal contexts, such as legal or educational discussions. The concept of 'дети' (children) often carries a collective, communal tone in Russian, reflecting the cultural value placed on family and societal bonds.

Related Concepts:

• семья (family)
• родители (parents)
• детство (childhood)