Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dozen'

English Word: dozen

Key Russian Translations:

• дюжина [ˈdjuʐɨnə] - [Informal, used for counting exactly 12 items in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in shopping, recipes, and casual counting, but not as frequent as basic numbers)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding collective numerals and basic noun declensions in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дюжина: [ˈdjuʐɨnə]

Note on дюжина: The stress falls on the first syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the "s" in "measure".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A group or set of twelve items.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дюжина - Used in informal contexts for exact counting of 12 items, such as in markets or recipes. It can be applied to countable nouns.

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть дюжина яиц в холодильнике.

  I have a dozen eggs in the refrigerator. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence for everyday possession.)

• Она купила дюжину роз для букета.

  She bought a dozen roses for the bouquet. (Illustrates use in a purchasing context with a feminine noun.)

• В рецепте указано добавить дюжину орехов.

  The recipe calls for adding a dozen nuts. (Demonstrates application in instructional or recipe contexts.)

• Дети собрали дюжину камней на пляже.

  The children collected a dozen stones on the beach. (Shows use with plural nouns in a recreational setting.)

• Магазин продаёт дюжину бананов по акции.

  The store is selling a dozen bananas on sale. (Highlights commercial or promotional usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

дюжина is a feminine noun in Russian, and it follows standard first-declension patterns. It is used primarily in the singular form but can inflect for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: The word is regular in its declension, making it straightforward for learners once basic patterns are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: двенадцать (twelve) - More literal and used when exact counting is needed; штука (piece) in combination, e.g., "двенадцать штук" for emphasis in informal speech.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "dozen" is a specific quantity rather than a polar opposite concept.

Related Phrases:

• дюжина яиц - A dozen eggs (Common in grocery or cooking contexts, referring to packaged items).
• дюжина роз - A dozen roses (Often used in floral arrangements or gifts, with a romantic connotation).
• купить дюжину - To buy a dozen (A phrase for purchasing, emphasizing quantity in retail settings).

Usage Notes:

дюжина directly corresponds to the English "dozen" as a collective numeral for 12 items, but it's more common in informal Russian speech and writing. Use it in contexts where exact counting is implied, such as shopping or recipes. Be mindful of noun gender and case agreement; for example, it must agree with the noun it modifies. If the context requires more precision, opt for "двенадцать" instead. In formal or technical writing, "дюжина" might sound outdated, so choose based on the audience.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "дюжина" incorrectly with non-countable nouns, e.g., saying "дюжина воды" (a dozen of water) instead of the correct form for liquids.

  Correct: Воды не измеряют дюжиной; используйте "литры" (liters). Explanation: "дюжина" is for discrete, countable items only.

• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., saying "купить дюжина" instead of "купить дюжину".

  Correct: Купить дюжину яблок. Explanation: The accusative case is required after verbs like "купить".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "дюжина" is often associated with traditional markets and everyday commerce, reflecting historical trading practices where items were bundled in dozens. It's less formal than in English and may evoke a sense of rustic or folkloric counting, as seen in literature or proverbs, though it doesn't carry strong cultural taboos.

Related Concepts:

• грос (gross, meaning 144 items)
• полдюжины (half a dozen)
• десяток (ten, as another collective numeral)