Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dinner'

English Word: dinner

Key Russian Translations:

• ужин [ˈuʐɨn] - [Informal, Most Common]
• обед [ɐˈbʲet] - [Formal, Often Used for Midday Meal]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "ужин"; A2 (Elementary) for "обед" due to contextual usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

ужин: [ˈuʐɨn]

Note on ужин: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

обед: [ɐˈbʲet]

Note on обед: Stress on the second syllable. The "б" is palatalized due to the following "е".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Evening Meal (Most Common Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ужин - Used for the evening meal, typically the last main meal of the day in informal and family settings.

Usage Examples:

• Мы готовим ужин вместе с семьёй.

  We are preparing dinner together with the family.

• Ужин будет готов через час.

  Dinner will be ready in an hour.

• Ты придёшь на ужин сегодня?

  Will you come for dinner today?

2. Formal or Midday Main Meal

Translation(s) & Context:

• обед - Often refers to the main meal of the day, typically eaten at midday, especially in formal or traditional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В ресторане подают вкусный обед.

  The restaurant serves a delicious dinner (midday meal).

• Обед был очень сытным.

  The dinner (midday meal) was very filling.

• Мы приглашены на обед в воскресенье.

  We are invited for dinner (midday meal) on Sunday.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ужин (Masculine Noun): Follows the standard second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

обед (Masculine Noun): Similarly follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ужин:

• вечеря (Archaic, literary)

Note: "вечеря" is rarely used in modern Russian and appears mostly in historical or religious contexts.

Antonyms for ужин:

• завтрак (breakfast)

Related Phrases:

• лёгкий ужин - A light dinner (evening meal).
• семейный ужин - A family dinner (evening meal).
• деловой обед - A business lunch/dinner (midday meal in formal context).
• поздний ужин - A late dinner (evening meal).

Usage Notes:

• "ужин" is the most common term for an evening meal and is used in everyday, informal contexts. It directly corresponds to the English "dinner" in most cases.
• "обед" often refers to the main meal of the day, typically eaten at midday, and can be translated as "lunch" or "dinner" depending on context. In formal settings or traditional Russian culture, it may be the equivalent of a midday "dinner."
• Choosing between "ужин" and "обед" depends on the time of day and formality. For evening meals, always use "ужин"; for midday meals, especially in formal or business contexts, use "обед."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "обед" for an evening meal. Incorrect: "Я ем обед вечером." (I eat lunch/dinner in the evening.) Correct: "Я ем ужин вечером." Explanation: "обед" is associated with midday, so using it for an evening meal sounds unnatural.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation. For "ужин," stressing the second syllable ("ужИн") is wrong and may lead to misunderstandings. Stress must be on the first syllable: [ˈuʐɨn].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "ужин" (evening dinner) is often a lighter meal compared to "обед" (midday meal), which is traditionally the heaviest and most important meal of the day. Family dinners, especially "ужин," are significant for bonding, and hospitality often involves inviting guests for either "обед" or "ужин" depending on the time of day.

Related Concepts:

• завтрак (breakfast)
• перекус (snack)
• полдник (afternoon snack)