Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'derby'

English Word: derby

Key Russian Translations:

• дерби [ˈdɛrbi] - [Neutral, Commonly used in sports contexts]

Frequency: Medium (often used in specific contexts like sports)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate, due to context-specific usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дерби: [ˈdɛrbi]

Note on дерби: Stress falls on the first syllable. The pronunciation closely mirrors the English word but with a rolled 'r' typical of Russian phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Sports Competition (Rivalry Match)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дерби - Refers to a competitive match between two rival teams, often from the same city or region (e.g., football derby).

Usage Examples:

• Московское дерби между "Спартаком" и "ЦСКА" всегда напряжённое.

  The Moscow derby between Spartak and CSKA is always intense.

• Ты смотрел вчерашнее дерби? Это была невероятная игра!

  Did you watch yesterday's derby? It was an incredible game!

• Дерби двух команд из Манчестера привлекает миллионы зрителей.

  The derby between the two Manchester teams attracts millions of viewers.

2. Horse Racing Event (Historical Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дерби - Rarely used to refer to a prestigious horse race, mostly in historical or borrowed contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Кентукки Дерби - это знаменитые скачки в Америке.

  The Kentucky Derby is a famous horse race in America.

• В прошлом веке дерби считалось главным событием в мире скачек.

  In the last century, the derby was considered the main event in the world of horse racing.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word дерби is a borrowed term in Russian and is treated as a neuter noun. It does not change form based on case or number, which is typical for many loanwords in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• состязание (competition, more general)
• матч (match, broader term)

Note: While "состязание" and "матч" can overlap with "дерби," they lack the specific connotation of rivalry inherent in "дерби."

Antonyms:

• None directly applicable (context-specific term with no clear opposite).

Related Phrases:

• местное дерби - Local derby (a match between local rival teams).
• футбольное дерби - Football derby (a rivalry match in football).
• историческое дерби - Historical derby (a match with long-standing rivalry).

Usage Notes:

• The term "дерби" in Russian is almost exclusively used in the context of sports, particularly football (soccer), to denote a rivalry match. It does not carry the broader meanings associated with "derby" in English, such as a type of hat or a general competition.
• It is a borrowed word and retains its original spelling and pronunciation, adapted to Russian phonetics.
• Unlike many Russian nouns, "дерби" does not decline, which can be confusing for learners accustomed to Russian case endings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Attempting to decline "дерби" as a regular Russian noun (e.g., saying "дербей" in genitive case).
  Correct Usage: Always use "дерби" regardless of case (e.g., "Результат дерби был неожиданным" - "The result of the derby was unexpected").
  Explanation: As a loanword, "дерби" is indeclinable in Russian, which is a common feature of foreign terms ending in vowels.
• Error: Using "дерби" to refer to non-sports contexts like a hat or general race.
  Correct Usage: Limit usage to sports rivalries, especially football.
  Explanation: The broader meanings of "derby" in English do not transfer to Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, the concept of a "дерби" is deeply tied to football culture, where local rivalries (e.g., between Moscow teams like Spartak and Dynamo) are significant cultural events. These matches often carry historical and social weight, reflecting regional pride and longstanding competition. Understanding the term "дерби" in Russian requires an appreciation of this cultural context, as it evokes strong emotions among sports fans.

Related Concepts:

• соперничество (rivalry)
• футбол (football/soccer)
• команда (team)