Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Childhood'

English Word: Childhood

Key Russian Translations:

• детство [ˈdʲetstvə] - [Neutral, Most Common]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

детство: [ˈdʲetstvə]

Note on детство: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'д' is pronounced with a soft 'd' sound due to the following 'е'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The period of being a child

Translation(s) & Context:

• детство - Refers to the general period of one's early life, often used nostalgically or in personal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Моё детство прошло в деревне.

  My childhood was spent in the countryside.

• В детстве я любил играть в футбол.

  In my childhood, I loved playing football.

• Детство — это время беззаботности.

  Childhood is a time of carefreeness.

• Она часто вспоминает своё счастливое детство.

  She often recalls her happy childhood.

• Детство закончилось, когда я пошёл в школу.

  Childhood ended when I started school.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

детство is a neuter noun. It follows the standard declension pattern for neuter nouns ending in -о.

Note: This noun does not have a plural form as it refers to an abstract, singular concept.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• юность (youth, often referring to a slightly later stage)
• ранние годы (early years)

Note: While "юность" overlaps slightly with "детство", it typically refers to adolescence rather than early childhood.

Antonyms:

• взрослость (adulthood)
• старость (old age)

Related Phrases:

• счастливое детство - "happy childhood", often used nostalgically.
• в детстве - "in childhood", a common phrase to describe past experiences.
• детство прошло - "childhood has passed", indicating the end of that life stage.

Usage Notes:

• The word "детство" is the primary and most natural translation for "childhood" in Russian. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
• It often carries an emotional or nostalgic connotation, especially when used in personal stories or literature.
• Unlike English, "детство" does not typically refer to a collective concept (e.g., "childhood experiences of a generation") without additional context or modifiers.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "детство" in plural form. Incorrect: *детства* (as plural). Correct: "детство" is always singular. Explanation: "Childhood" as a concept does not take a plural form in Russian.
• Error: Misplacing stress. Incorrect pronunciation: [detˈstvə]. Correct: [ˈdʲetstvə]. Explanation: Stress on the first syllable is crucial; incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "детство" is often associated with nostalgia for Soviet-era childhood experiences, such as pioneer camps, communal upbringing, and simpler times. Many Russian literary works and films romanticize this period of life, reflecting a collective cultural memory.

Related Concepts:

• юность (youth)
• отрочество (adolescence)
• воспитание (upbringing)