Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dessert'

English Word: Dessert

Key Russian Translations:

• десерт [dʲɪˈsʲert] - [Neutral, Most Common]
• сладкое [ˈslatkəjə] - [Informal, Often Used for Sweet Dish at the End of a Meal]

Frequency: High (both translations are commonly used in everyday contexts)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for both translations due to straightforward usage and pronunciation

Pronunciation (Russian):

десерт: [dʲɪˈsʲert]

Note on десерт: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'д' is palatalized, sounding softer than an English 'd'.

сладкое: [ˈslatkəjə]

Note on сладкое: The stress is on the first syllable. The final 'е' is pronounced as a schwa-like sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Sweet Dish Served at the End of a Meal

Translation(s) & Context:

• десерт - Commonly used in menus, restaurants, and formal contexts to refer to a dessert.
• сладкое - Literally means "sweet (thing)," often used in casual or home settings to refer to the sweet course after a meal.

Usage Examples:

• Что у нас на десерт? (Chto u nas na desert?)

  What's for dessert?

• Я заказал десерт из фруктов. (Ya zakazal desert iz fruktov.)

  I ordered a fruit dessert.

• После ужина всегда хочется сладкого. (Posle uzhina vsegda khochetsya sladkogo.)

  After dinner, I always crave something sweet.

• Ты будешь сладкое или чай? (Ty budesh sladkoe ili chai?)

  Will you have dessert or tea?

• Этот десерт слишком сладкий. (Etot desert slishkom sladkiy.)

  This dessert is too sweet.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

десерт (noun, masculine): Follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns. It is a loanword and does not change much in spoken language, though formal grammar requires declension.

сладкое (noun, neuter, derived from adjective): Literally "the sweet (thing)," it is the neuter form of the adjective "сладкий" (sweet). It is often used in the singular nominative or accusative case and does not typically decline when used as a general term for "dessert."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for десерт/сладкое:

• лакомство (treat, delicacy) - Often used for sweets or small desserts.
• сладости (sweets) - Refers to sweet foods in general, often candies.

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "dessert" lacks a clear opposite in Russian culinary terms.

Related Phrases:

• на десерт (na desert) - "for dessert," commonly used to indicate the dessert course.
• сладкий стол (sladkiy stol) - "sweet table," refers to a spread of desserts, often at celebrations.
• подать сладкое (podat sladkoe) - "to serve dessert," used in casual or home settings.

Usage Notes:

• "Десерт" is the more formal and widely recognized term, especially in written language, menus, or restaurants. It directly corresponds to the English "dessert."
• "Сладкое" is more colloquial and can refer to any sweet food, not necessarily a formal dessert. It is often used in spoken language to ask about or refer to the sweet dish after a meal.
• Be mindful of context: in a restaurant, use "десерт"; at home or informally, "сладкое" feels more natural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сладкое" in a formal menu or written context. Wrong: "В меню есть сладкое." (Correct: "В меню есть десерт.")
• Error: Mispronouncing "десерт" by stressing the first syllable as in English. The stress must be on the second syllable: [dʲɪˈsʲert].
• Error: Failing to decline "десерт" in cases where grammar requires it, e.g., saying "без десерт" instead of "без десерта" (without dessert).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, dessert is not always a separate course as it often is in Western traditions. At home, "сладкое" might simply mean tea with sweets, cookies, or jam after a meal. In formal dining or restaurants, "десерт" aligns more with the Western concept of a prepared sweet dish like cake or ice cream.

Related Concepts:

• торт (cake)
• мороженое (ice cream)
• конфеты (candies)
• варенье (jam)