Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dowry'

English Word: dowry

Key Russian Translations:

• приданое /prʲɪˈdanəje/ - [Formal, Historical]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation; it appears primarily in historical, legal, or cultural discussions about marriage.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and cultural contexts, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

приданое: /prʲɪˈdanəje/

Note on приданое: The stress falls on the second syllable ("da"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'r' sound (/rʲ/). Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The property, money, or goods brought by a bride to her husband at marriage.

Translation(s) & Context:

• приданое - Used in formal, historical, or legal contexts to describe traditional marriage customs, often emphasizing cultural or familial obligations.

Usage Examples:

• В старину приданое играло важную роль в браке, определяя социальный статус семьи.

  In the old days, the dowry played an important role in marriage, determining the family's social status.

• Её приданое включало землю, скот и драгоценности, что было обычным в сельских районах.

  Her dowry included land, livestock, and jewelry, which was common in rural areas.

• Современные законы в России редко учитывают приданое, но оно всё ещё упоминается в фольклоре.

  Modern laws in Russia rarely consider dowries, but they are still mentioned in folklore.

• Приданое невесты передавалось мужу как часть свадебных традиций.

  The bride's dowry was transferred to the husband as part of wedding traditions.

• В некоторых регионах приданое могло быть причиной споров между семьями.

  In some regions, the dowry could be a source of disputes between families.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Приданое" is a neuter noun in Russian, and it follows the standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. It is invariable in the plural form but changes according to case in the singular. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: The plural forms are not commonly used, as "приданое" typically refers to a singular concept. It has regular declensions with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вено - Often used in legal or ecclesiastical contexts; implies a more religious connotation.
  • посаг - Similar to "dowry" but sometimes emphasizes the bride's family assets; less formal.
• Antonyms:
  • дар (gift) - Refers to voluntary giving without obligation, contrasting the contractual nature of a dowry.

Related Phrases:

• приданое невесты - The bride's dowry; refers to the specific assets brought by the bride in marriage traditions.
• передача приданого - Transfer of the dowry; used in legal or historical discussions about property exchange.
• традиционное приданое - Traditional dowry; highlights cultural customs in Russian folklore or weddings.

Usage Notes:

• The Russian term "приданое" directly corresponds to "dowry" in English, focusing on property transferred during marriage, but it carries a more historical and cultural weight in Russian contexts, often linked to pre-Soviet traditions.
• It is typically used in formal or written language; avoid in casual conversations to prevent sounding outdated.
• When choosing between synonyms like "вено" or "посаг," select based on context: "вено" for religious settings and "посаг" for everyday family discussions.
• Grammatically, always decline the noun according to its case, as Russian requires agreement with prepositions and verbs.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "приданое" with "дар" (gift), mistakenly using it for any voluntary transfer. Incorrect: "Я дал дар на свадьбе" (implying a dowry). Correct: "Я предоставил приданое для невесты" (for a formal dowry context). Explanation: "Приданое" implies a traditional obligation, while "дар" is casual.
• Another error is failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., using "приданое" in all cases. Incorrect: "О приданое" (should be "О приданом"). Correct: Always check the case based on sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "приданое" is tied to historical traditions from the Tsarist era, where it symbolized a family's wealth and social status. It often appears in literature and folklore, such as in folktales by Pushkin, reflecting patriarchal norms. However, in modern Russia, the concept has diminished due to legal reforms, but it still evokes nostalgia for pre-revolutionary customs.

Related Concepts:

• брак (marriage)
• семья (family)
• свадьба (wedding)