Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'donation'

English Word: donation

Key Russian Translations:

• пожертвование [pɐʐɨrtvəˈvanʲɪje] - [Formal, commonly used in charitable or official contexts]
• дар [dar] - [Informal or poetic, used when implying a gift without expectation of return]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears regularly in contexts related to charity, fundraising, or philanthropy, but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun cases and vocabulary related to social issues. For 'пожертвование', it's B1; for 'дар', it's A2 as it's simpler.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пожертвование: [pɐʐɨrtvəˈvanʲɪje]

дар: [dar]

Note on пожертвование: The stress falls on the fourth syllable (-va-), which can be tricky for learners due to the consonant cluster; pronounce it smoothly without pausing.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of giving money, goods, or time to a cause, charity, or organization.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пожертвование - Used in formal settings like donations to nonprofits or funds; implies a voluntary contribution for public good.
• дар - Applied in less formal or metaphorical contexts, such as personal gifts or historical references, but less common for monetary donations.

Usage Examples:

• Я сделал пожертвование в благотворительный фонд для помощи детям.

  I made a donation to the charity fund to help children.

• Ее дар был принят с благодарностью во время праздника.

  Her donation (as a gift) was accepted with gratitude during the holiday.

• Организация собирает пожертвования для пострадавших от наводнения.

  The organization is collecting donations for those affected by the flood.

• Мой дар времени — это волонтёрство в местном приюте.

  My donation of time is volunteering at the local shelter.

• Пожертвование от анонимного спонсора помогло завершить проект.

  The donation from an anonymous sponsor helped complete the project.

Alternative meaning: A gift or contribution in a non-charitable context (e.g., in art or literature).

Translation(s) & Context:

• дар - Often used for innate talents or gifts, but can extend to donations in creative fields.

Usage Examples:

• Его дар искусству сделал его известным художником.

  His donation (or gift) to art made him a famous artist. (Here, 'дар' implies a talent, but can metaphorically relate to contributions.)

• Пожертвование книг в библиотеку обогатило коллекцию.

  The donation of books to the library enriched the collection.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'пожертвование' and 'дар' are nouns. 'Пожертвование' is a neuter noun with standard declension patterns, while 'дар' is masculine and follows regular patterns with some irregularities in certain cases.

Note: 'Пожертвование' follows a regular neuter pattern, while 'дар' is invariant in some poetic uses but generally declines as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вклад (vklad) - More general, often used for contributions to a project.
  • подарок (padarok) - Similar to 'дар', but implies a wrapped or festive gift.
• Antonyms:
  • изъятие (izʹyatiye) - Removal or withdrawal, as in taking away resources.
  • кража (krazha) - Theft, the opposite of voluntary giving.

Related Phrases:

• Сделать пожертвование (sdelatʹ pozhdertvovanie) - To make a donation; used in contexts of charity drives.
• Благотворительный дар (blagotvoritelʹnyy dar) - Charitable donation; implies a gift with altruistic intent.
• Пожертвовать деньги (pozhdertvovatʹ denʹgi) - To donate money; a common phrase in fundraising.

Usage Notes:

Use 'пожертвование' for formal, structured donations, such as to organizations, as it aligns closely with the English 'donation' in charitable contexts. 'Дар' is better for informal or metaphorical uses, like personal gifts, and may not always convey the same sense of obligation-free giving as in English. Be mindful of case endings in Russian sentences; for example, in genitive constructions like "пожертвование фонда" (donation of the fund). When choosing between translations, opt for 'пожертвование' in professional settings and 'дар' in creative or everyday speech.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'пожертвование' with 'подарок' and using it interchangeably. Incorrect: "Я дал подарок в фонд." (This implies a wrapped gift, not a donation.) Correct: "Я сделал пожертвование в фонд." (This specifies a charitable act.) Explanation: English learners often overlook the nuance; 'пожертвование' emphasizes altruism, while 'подарок' is more about personal exchange.
• Mistake: Forgetting case declensions, e.g., using nominative in all positions. Incorrect: "Я думаю о пожертвование." (Grammatically wrong.) Correct: "Я думаю о пожертвовании." (Genitive case required after prepositions like 'о'.) Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement, which can trip up speakers from less inflected languages like English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'пожертвование' is often tied to traditions of communal support, such as during Orthodox holidays or national crises, where donations to churches or relief funds are common. This reflects a historical emphasis on collective welfare in Russian society, influenced by Soviet-era collectivism and ongoing philanthropy in modern Russia.

Related Concepts:

• благотворительность (blagotvoritelʹnostʹ)
• волонтёрство (volontyorstvo)
• фонд (fond)