Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dice'

English Word: Dice

Key Russian Translations:

• игральные кости [ˈɪɡrəlʲnɨɪ ˈkostʲɪ] - [Plural, Common Usage]
• кубик [ˈkubʲɪk] - [Singular, Informal, Often Refers to a Single Die]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in gaming contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

игральные кости: [ˈɪɡrəlʲnɨɪ ˈkostʲɪ]

Note on игральные кости: Stress falls on the first syllable of both words. The "ы" sound in "игральные" is a distinct Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, central "i".

кубик: [ˈkubʲɪk]

Note on кубик: Stress on the first syllable. The "и" is pronounced as a short "i", and the "б" is palatalized (softened).

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Small Cubes Used in Games of Chance

Translation(s) & Context:

• игральные кости - Most common term, used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to dice as a set.
• кубик - Often used to refer to a single die, especially in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Брось игральные кости и посмотри, какой будет результат.

  Roll the dice and see what the result will be.

• У меня есть только один кубик, этого достаточно?

  I only have one die, is that enough?

• Игральные кости часто используются в настольных играх.

  Dice are often used in board games.

• Он купил набор игральных костей для новой игры.

  He bought a set of dice for the new game.

• Кубик выпал на шестерку, ты победил!

  The die landed on six, you won!

Russian Forms/Inflections:

игральные кости (Plural Noun): This term is always used in the plural form as it refers to a set of dice. Below is the declension table for "кости" (bones/dice):

кубик (Singular Noun): Refers to a single die. Regular masculine noun declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for игральные кости/кубик:

• зарики (Informal, less common)

Note: "зарики" is a colloquial term, often used in casual or slang contexts.

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "dice" does not have a clear opposite in this context.

Related Phrases:

• бросать игральные кости - to roll the dice (literal and figurative, meaning to take a risk)
• игра в кости - a game of dice (refers to gambling or casual games involving dice)
• кубик с шестеркой - a die with a six (used to indicate a specific roll result)

Usage Notes:

• "игральные кости" is the standard and most widely recognized term for "dice" as a set, suitable for both formal descriptions and everyday speech.
• "кубик" is often used when referring to a single die, though it can sometimes mean "small cube" in other contexts (e.g., sugar cube as "кубик сахара"). Context is key.
• In gaming contexts, both terms are understood, but "игральные кости" is more common in written or formal explanations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кубик" to refer to multiple dice.
  Incorrect: У меня есть три кубик.
  Correct: У меня есть три кубика (plural form).
  Explanation: "кубик" must agree in number; use "кубика" for genitive plural after numbers like "три".
• Error: Omitting "игральные" and using just "кости" to mean dice.
  Incorrect: Брось кости.
  Correct: Брось игральные кости.
  Explanation: Without "игральные", "кости" usually means "bones" and can be confusing or inappropriate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, dice are often associated with gambling or traditional board games. The phrase "бросать кости" (to roll the dice) can also be used metaphorically to mean taking a risk, much like in English. Dice games are not as prominent in modern Russian culture as card games, but they are still recognized in the context of international board games like Monopoly or role-playing games.

Related Concepts:

• игра (game)
• азартные игры (gambling games)
• настольная игра (board game)