Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dime'

English Word: dime

Key Russian Translations:

• десятицентовик [dʲɪsʲɪtʲɪˈtsɛntəvʲɪk] - [Informal, Refers to the coin]
• десять центов [ˈdʲɛsʲɪtʲ ˈtsɛntəf] - [Formal, Refers to the value]

Frequency: Low (Rarely used in everyday Russian conversation as it refers to a U.S. currency)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "десять центов"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "десятицентовик" due to colloquial nature

Pronunciation (Russian):

десятицентовик: [dʲɪsʲɪtʲɪˈtsɛntəvʲɪk]

Note on десятицентовик: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ц" sound is a distinct Russian affricate, similar to 'ts' in English.

десять центов: [ˈdʲɛsʲɪtʲ ˈtsɛntəf]

Note on десять центов: Both words are stressed on the first syllable. "Центов" is the genitive plural form of "цент".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A U.S. coin worth 10 cents

Translation(s) & Context:

• десятицентовик - Used informally to refer specifically to the physical dime coin in the U.S. context.

Usage Examples:

• У меня в кармане только десятицентовик.

  I only have a dime in my pocket.

• Он бросил десятицентовик в автомат.

  He tossed a dime into the machine.

• Этот десятицентовик старый, коллекционный.

  This dime is old and collectible.

2. The value of 10 cents

Translation(s) & Context:

• десять центов - Used formally to denote the monetary value, often in written or technical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Это стоит всего десять центов.

  This costs only ten cents.

• Дай мне десять центов, пожалуйста.

  Give me ten cents, please.

• Сдача составила десять центов.

  The change was ten cents.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

десятицентовик (Noun, Masculine, Animate):

десять центов (Phrase with Numeral + Noun, Masculine, Inanimate): The numeral "десять" does not decline, but "центов" (genitive plural of "цент") remains unchanged in all cases as it follows a numeral.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for десятицентовик:

• монета в десять центов (a coin worth ten cents - more descriptive)

Antonyms: None directly applicable due to the specific nature of the term.

Related Phrases:

• бросить десятицентовик - To toss a dime (e.g., into a fountain or machine).
• стоить десять центов - To cost ten cents (used for very cheap items).
• сдача в десять центов - Change of ten cents (common in transactions).

Usage Notes:

• "Десятицентовик" is a colloquial term specifically referring to the U.S. dime coin and is understood mainly in contexts discussing American culture or currency.
• "Десять центов" is more neutral and formal, often used in writing or when discussing monetary value rather than the physical coin.
• Since "dime" is a culture-specific term, Russians might not immediately understand it without context. It's better to use these translations when the U.S. context is clear.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "десятицентовик" to refer to any small coin, not specifically a U.S. dime.
  Explanation: This term is tied to U.S. currency. For generic small coins, use "монета" (coin).
  Incorrect: У меня есть десятицентовик из России. (I have a dime from Russia.)
  Correct: У меня есть мелкая монета из России. (I have a small coin from Russia.)
• Error: Declining "десять" in "десять центов".
  Explanation: Numerals like "десять" do not decline in Russian.
  Incorrect: Дай мне десяти центов.
  Correct: Дай мне десять центов.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of a "dime" is inherently tied to U.S. culture and currency. In Russia, the equivalent small denomination coin might be a 10-kopeck coin (10 копеек), but it lacks the cultural significance or colloquial usage that "dime" has in English (e.g., in expressions like "a dime a dozen"). When explaining this term to Russian speakers, additional context about U.S. currency may be necessary.

Related Concepts:

• цент (cent)
• доллар (dollar)
• монета (coin)
• копейка (kopeck, Russian small denomination)