Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Christmas'

English Word: Christmas

Key Russian Translations:

• Рождество (/rɐʐˈdʲest.və/) - [Formal, Holiday term, often used in religious or cultural contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common during the winter holiday season but not in everyday conversation; used annually in media, greetings, and cultural events)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian holidays and basic vocabulary, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Рождество: /rɐʐˈdʲest.və/

Note on Рождество: The stress is on the third syllable ('dest'). The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English, which can be challenging for beginners. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ

Translation(s) & Context:

• Рождество - Used in formal, religious, or festive contexts, such as family gatherings or public holidays in Russia.

Usage Examples:

• Мы отмечаем Рождество 7 января по православному календарю.

  We celebrate Christmas on January 7th according to the Orthodox calendar.

• В России Рождество — это семейный праздник с традиционными угощениями.

  In Russia, Christmas is a family holiday with traditional treats.

• Дети ждут Рождество, чтобы получить подарки от Деда Мороза.

  Children wait for Christmas to receive gifts from Ded Moroz (Father Frost).

• На Рождество люди ходят в церковь и поют колядки.

  On Christmas, people go to church and sing carols.

• Рождество в России часто сочетается с Новым годом в зимних празднованиях.

  Christmas in Russia is often combined with New Year in winter celebrations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Рождество" is a neuter noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns but has some irregularities due to its historical roots. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This noun does not change in the plural form as frequently as others, but when it does, it's irregular. For example, in phrases like "праздники Рождества" (holidays of Christmas).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Рождественский праздник (Christmas holiday) - More descriptive, used in formal or extended contexts.
  • Святочный период (Holy period) - Refers to the broader festive season around Christmas.
• Antonyms:
  • Пасха (Easter) - Another major Christian holiday, contrasting in timing and themes.

Related Phrases:

• С Рождеством Христовым! - A common greeting meaning "Merry Christmas!" Used in festive contexts.
• Рождественский ужин - Refers to "Christmas dinner," a family meal with traditional foods.
• Рождественские каникулы - Means "Christmas holidays," indicating the break period around the date.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "Рождество" directly corresponds to the religious aspect of "Christmas" in English, but it's important to note that in Russia, this holiday is observed on January 7th due to the Julian calendar used by the Orthodox Church. It's more formal and less commercialized than in Western cultures. When choosing translations, use "Рождество" for precise religious contexts, but pair it with "Новый год" (New Year) for secular winter celebrations. Grammatically, it requires proper case agreement, e.g., in prepositional phrases like "во время Рождества" (during Christmas).

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "Рождество" with "Новый год" and using it interchangeably for all winter holidays.

  Correct Usage: Рождество specifically refers to the religious holiday, not the secular New Year. Example: Incorrect - "Я жду Рождество за подарками" (implying Santa Claus gifts); Correct - "Я жду Новый год за подарками" for secular gifts.

  Explanation: English speakers often mix Christmas with New Year due to cultural differences; in Russia, Ded Moroz is associated with New Year, not Christmas.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases.

  Correct Usage: In genitive, say "подарки на Рождества" instead of "на Рождество."

  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which can be tricky for beginners learning declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "Рождество" is deeply tied to Orthodox Christianity and is celebrated with church services, family feasts, and traditions like singing carols and sharing special breads. Unlike in the West, where Christmas is on December 25th, Russia's date is January 7th, reflecting the Orthodox calendar. This holiday emphasizes spiritual reflection over commercialism, often blending with New Year celebrations for a prolonged festive season.

Related Concepts:

• Новый год (New Year)
• Пасха (Easter)
• Дед Мороз (Father Frost)