Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Chime'

English Word: chime

Key Russian Translations:

• звон [zvɒn] - [Noun, Used for bell sounds or ringing]
• звонить [zvɐˈnʲitʲ] - [Verb, Used for the action of chiming or ringing]
• перезвон [pʲɪrʲɪˈzvɒn] - [Noun, Often used for harmonious or melodic chimes]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like bell sounds or clocks)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, depending on context and word form)

Pronunciation (Russian):

звон: [zvɒn]

Note on звон: The 'o' is pronounced as a short, open vowel in unstressed positions.

звонить: [zvɐˈnʲitʲ]

Note on звонить: Stress falls on the second syllable; the soft 'т' sound is typical in Russian verbs.

перезвон: [pʲɪrʲɪˈzvɒn]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Sound of a bell or clock (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• звон - Used for a single chime or ringing sound, often of a bell.
• перезвон - Refers to a series of chimes or a melodic ringing, often in a church or clock context.

Usage Examples:

• Я услышал звон колокола в деревне.

  I heard the chime of a bell in the village.

• Перезвон часов напомнил мне о времени.

  The chime of the clock reminded me of the time.

• Звон был таким громким, что разбудил всех.

  The chime was so loud that it woke everyone up.

2. To make a ringing sound (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• звонить - Used as a verb to describe the action of chiming or ringing (e.g., a bell or phone).

Usage Examples:

• Колокол звонит каждый час.

  The bell chimes every hour.

• Телефон звонит, но никто не отвечает.

  The phone is chiming, but no one answers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

звон (Noun, Masculine):

звонить (Verb, Imperfective): Conjugates regularly in present, past, and future tenses. Example in present tense: я звоню, ты звонишь, он/она звонит, etc.

перезвон (Noun, Masculine): Follows similar declension patterns as "звон".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for звон/перезвон:

• звук
• гул

Note: "звук" is more general (sound), while "гул" implies a deeper or humming tone.

Antonyms for звон:

• тишина

Related Phrases:

• звон колоколов - "Chime of bells", often used in religious or festive contexts.
• звонить в дверь - "To ring the doorbell", a common everyday expression.
• перезвон курантов - "Chime of the clock tower", often referring to iconic clocks like those in Moscow.

Usage Notes:

• "звон" is typically used for the sound itself, while "звонить" is the action of producing that sound. Be mindful of the noun-verb distinction.
• "перезвон" often carries a poetic or harmonious connotation, making it less common in casual speech.
• In phone contexts, "звонить" is also used to mean "to call someone", so context is key to understanding the intended meaning.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "звон" as a verb. Incorrect: *Я звоню колокол* (I chime the bell). Correct: Я звоню в колокол.
• Error: Confusing "звон" with "звук". While both can mean "sound", "звон" is specific to ringing or chiming. Incorrect: *Звон машины* (Chime of the car). Correct: Звук машины (Sound of the car).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the sound of bells ("звон" or "перезвон") is deeply tied to Orthodox Christianity and traditional ceremonies. The chime of church bells often symbolizes important events like weddings or religious holidays, and the sound is considered sacred by many.

Related Concepts:

• колокол (bell)
• куранты (clock tower chimes)
• звук (sound)