Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dial'

English Word: Dial

Key Russian Translations:

• набирать [nɐˈbʲirətʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used for dialing a number]
• набрать номер [nɐˈbratʲ ˈnomʲɪr] - [Formal, Phrase, Used in formal or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in phone-related contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "набирать"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "набрать номер" due to phrase structure

Pronunciation (Russian):

набирать: [nɐˈbʲirətʲ]

Note on набирать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" sound is rolled, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

набрать номер: [nɐˈbratʲ ˈnomʲɪr]

Note on набрать номер: Both words have stress on the first syllable. Pay attention to the soft "р" in "номер".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To dial a phone number

Translation(s) & Context:

• набирать - Commonly used in everyday speech for dialing a number on a phone.
• набрать номер - More formal or precise, often used in written instructions or formal conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Я набираю твой номер, но никто не отвечает.

  I’m dialing your number, but no one is answering.

• Пожалуйста, наберите номер службы поддержки.

  Please dial the customer support number.

• Он быстро набрал номер и позвонил другу.

  He quickly dialed the number and called his friend.

• Набрать номер на старом телефоне было сложнее.

  Dialing a number on an old phone was more difficult.

• Она набрала неправильный номер и извинилась.

  She dialed the wrong number and apologized.

2. To dial (as in tuning a device, less common)

Translation(s) & Context:

• настраивать - Used for tuning or dialing into a frequency (e.g., on a radio).

Usage Examples:

• Он настраивал радио, чтобы найти нужную станцию.

  He was dialing the radio to find the right station.

• Настройте частоту, чтобы поймать сигнал.

  Dial the frequency to catch the signal.

• Старые приемники требовали времени, чтобы настроить циферблат.

  Old receivers took time to dial the knob properly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

набирать (Verb, Imperfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -ать. Below is the present tense conjugation:

набрать (Verb, Perfective): This is the perfective form of "набирать", used for completed actions. Often paired with "номер". Conjugation follows similar patterns.

номер (Noun, Masculine): Declines as a regular masculine noun ending in a consonant. Key forms include Nominative Singular: номер, Genitive Singular: номера, Nominative Plural: номера.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "набирать":

• звонить (to call, broader term)
• вызывать (to call or summon, formal)

Note: "звонить" is more general and can mean "to call" without specifying dialing, while "вызывать" is more formal and context-specific.

Antonyms:

• сбрасывать (to hang up or drop a call)

Related Phrases:

• набрать номер телефона - To dial a phone number (standard expression).
• набирать код - To dial a code (e.g., access code or area code).
• набрать по ошибке - To dial by mistake (common in apologies for wrong numbers).

Usage Notes:

• "набирать" is the most versatile and commonly used term for "dialing" in casual speech, but it requires an object (e.g., номер) to be grammatically complete in most cases.
• Use "набрать номер" in formal or written contexts, as it sounds more polished and precise.
• Be aware that "настраивать" applies only to tuning devices like radios, not phones, so context is crucial when choosing the correct translation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "звонить" instead of "набирать" when specifically referring to the act of dialing. For example, saying "Я звоню номер" is incorrect.
• Correct Usage: "Я набираю номер" (I’m dialing the number). "Звонить" means "to call" and doesn’t emphasize the dialing action.
• Error: Misplacing stress in "номер" as [ˈnomʲɪr] instead of [ˈnomʲɪr]. Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, the act of "dialing" a number historically referred to rotary phones, and older generations might still use expressions tied to that era. Additionally, wrong number calls are often met with polite apologies using "набрать по ошибке".

Related Concepts:

• звонить (to call)
• телефонный звонок (phone call)
• гудок (dial tone or beep)