Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'customs'

English Word: customs

Key Russian Translations:

• таможня [tɐˈmoʐnʲə] - [Formal, Used in official or travel contexts]
• обычаи [ɐˈbyt͡ɕəɪ] - [Formal, Plural, Used in cultural or social discussions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday contexts like travel or cultural conversations, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) for "таможня" (requires understanding of specific administrative terms); Elementary (A2) for "обычаи" (basic noun forms in plural).

Pronunciation (Russian):

таможня: [tɐˈmoʐnʲə]

Note on таможня: The "ж" sound is a soft, voiced fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; stress on the second syllable.

обычаи: [ɐˈbyt͡ɕəɪ]

Note on обычаи: The "ч" is a voiceless palatal fricative; the word is typically stressed on the second syllable, and it ends in a plural form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Border control or customs authorities (e.g., at airports or borders)

Translation(s) & Context:

• "таможня" - Used in formal, administrative contexts, such as dealing with imports, exports, or travel inspections.

Usage Examples:

• Я должен пройти через таможню, чтобы проверить мои документы.

  I have to go through customs to check my documents.

• Таможня задержала мой багаж из-за запрещенных товаров.

  Customs held my luggage because of prohibited items.

• В аэропорту таможня тщательно осматривает ручную кладь.

  At the airport, customs thoroughly inspects carry-on luggage.

• После посадки пассажиры направляются в таможню для проверки.

  After landing, passengers head to customs for inspection.

Meaning 2: Traditions, habits, or cultural customs

Translation(s) & Context:

• "обычаи" - Used in cultural, social, or historical contexts to refer to established practices or traditions.

Usage Examples:

• В России обычаи празднования Нового года включают салют и шампанское.

  In Russia, customs for celebrating New Year include fireworks and champagne.

• Местные обычаи требуют снимать обувь перед входом в дом.

  Local customs require removing shoes before entering a house.

• Обычаи разных культур помогают понять их историю и ценности.

  Customs of different cultures help understand their history and values.

• Семейные обычаи передаются из поколения в поколение.

  Family customs are passed down from generation to generation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "таможня" (feminine noun, 1st declension):

For "обычаи" (plural noun, irregular in some forms, typically used in plural):

It is an irregular plural noun and does not have a standard singular form in common usage. Genitive plural: обычаев; Dative plural: обычаям; etc. It follows general plural declension patterns but is invariant in nominative plural.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • таможня: пограничный контроль (pogranichnyy kontrol) - More specific to border checks.
  • обычаи: традиции (traditsii) - Often interchangeable, but "обычаи" implies more everyday habits.
• Antonyms:
  • таможня: No direct antonym, but could contrast with "свободная зона" (svobodnaya zona - free zone).
  • обычаи: новшества (novshestva) - Innovations or new practices.

Related Phrases:

• Таможенные правила (Tamozhennye pravila) - Customs regulations; Refers to official rules for imports and exports.
• Народные обычаи (Narodnye obychai) - Folk customs; Common in cultural discussions about traditions.
• Проходить таможню (Prokhodit' tamozhnyu) - To go through customs; Used in travel contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Таможня" directly corresponds to the administrative sense of "customs" in English, often used in formal or legal contexts, and is a feminine noun that requires agreement in gender, number, and case. "Обычаи" aligns with cultural or habitual meanings, typically appearing in plural form and in discussions of tradition. When choosing between translations, opt for "таможня" in travel-related scenarios and "обычаи" for social or historical topics. Be mindful of Russian case usage to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse cases with "таможня," e.g., saying "Я видел таможня" (incorrect accusative) instead of "Я видел таможню." Correct: Use the proper accusative form for direct objects.
• For "обычаи," a common mistake is treating it as singular, e.g., "Этот обычаи" (incorrect), when it should be "Эти обычаи" for plural agreement. Explanation: Always use plural verbs and adjectives with this word.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "обычаи" often encompasses deep historical traditions, such as Orthodox holidays or family rituals, which reflect Russia's rich heritage. For "таможня," it highlights the country's vast borders and historical significance in trade, like along the Silk Road, emphasizing efficiency and bureaucracy in modern contexts.

Related Concepts:

• импорт (import)
• экспорт (export)
• традиции (traditions)
• праздники (holidays)