Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'chips'

English Word: chips

Key Russian Translations:

• чипсы [ʧip.sɨ] - [Informal, Plural; Used for snack food like potato chips or crisps]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about food, less so in formal or technical settings)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and pronunciation of loanwords)

Pronunciation (Russian):

чипсы: [ʧip.sɨ]

Note on чипсы: The stress is on the first syllable ("CHIHP-sy"). The "ч" sound is similar to the English "ch" in "church," and the word is a loanword from English, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward for English speakers, but be mindful of the soft "ы" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Thin slices of fried potato, often salted (e.g., potato chips or crisps)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чипсы - Commonly used in informal settings for snack foods; often in casual conversations or advertising.

Usage Examples:

• Я ем чипсы во время просмотра фильма.

  I eat chips while watching a movie. (This example shows the word in a relaxed, everyday context with a verb of consumption.)

• В магазине есть разные вкусы чипсов: солёные и острые.

  In the store, there are different flavors of chips: salty and spicy. (Illustrates the word in a plural form with adjectives, common in shopping or product descriptions.)

• Дети любят чипсы, но они не очень полезны для здоровья.

  Children love chips, but they are not very healthy. (Demonstrates usage in a sentence discussing preferences and health, highlighting cultural associations.)

• На вечеринке мы подали чипсы с соусом.

  At the party, we served chips with sauce. (Shows the word in a social gathering context, with prepositional phrases for added complexity.)

• Если ты голоден, купи пакет чипсов в автомате.

  If you're hungry, buy a bag of chips from the vending machine. (Example in a conditional sentence, emphasizing practical, on-the-go usage.)

Meaning 2: Small electronic components (e.g., computer chips) - If applicable, add this section

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Чипсы" is a plural noun (from English "chips") and belongs to the second declension in Russian. It is an indeclinable noun in most cases due to its foreign origin, meaning it doesn't change form in different grammatical cases. However, it can be used in plural forms as needed.

Note: While "чипсы" is typically plural, in technical contexts (e.g., for computer chips), variations like "чип" (singular) may apply, which follows standard masculine noun inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: картофельные чипсы (potato chips, more descriptive); снеки (snacks, broader term)
• The synonym "картофельные чипсы" is often used in formal or detailed descriptions to specify the type, while "чипсы" is more casual.
• Antonyms: здоровое питание (healthy food); фрукты (fruits)

Related Phrases:

• Пакет чипсов - A bag of chips (Common in shopping contexts; refers to packaged snacks).
• Чипсы с кетчупом - Chips with ketchup (A simple phrase for flavored or accompanied snacks, often in casual eating scenarios).
• Еда на вынос, включая чипсы - Takeaway food including chips (Used in discussions about fast food or convenience items).

Usage Notes:

"Чипсы" directly corresponds to the English "chips" in the context of snack food, but it's important to note that in Russian, this term is almost exclusively used for fried potato slices, not for French fries (which are "картофель фри"). It's informal and prevalent in modern, urban Russian, especially among younger people. When choosing between translations, use "чипсы" for everyday snacks and "чипы" for electronic components to avoid confusion. Grammatically, it pairs well with adjectives and prepositions, but remember it's typically plural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "чипс" as a singular form (e.g., "Я ем чипс"). Correct: "Я ем чипсу" is not standard; instead, use "чипсы" in plural or rephrase to "один чипс" in informal speech, but this is rare. Explanation: Russian doesn't decline this word like native nouns, so learners often over-apply declension rules.
• Error: Confusing with "чип" for electronics (e.g., saying "чипсы" when meaning computer chips). Correct: Use "чип" for tech contexts. Explanation: This mix-up arises from the English homonym, so context is key in Russian to distinguish meanings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "чипсы" are often associated with American fast food and Western influences, especially since they became popular in the post-Soviet era. They symbolize convenience and indulgence but are sometimes criticized in health campaigns, reflecting broader cultural debates about nutrition and globalization.

Related Concepts:

• снеки (snacks)
• фастфуд (fast food)
• картофель (potato)