Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dram'

English Word: dram

Key Russian Translations:

• драм [dræm] - [Formal, used in contexts like measurements or currency (e.g., Armenian dram)]

Frequency: Low (Not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; more specific to technical or historical contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian nouns and their inflections, but not overly complex for learners with basic grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

драм: [dræm]

Note on драм: The pronunciation is similar to the English word, with stress on the first syllable. Be mindful of the Russian 'р' sound, which is a rolled 'r', unlike the English flap. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A unit of weight or currency (e.g., in apothecary measures or Armenian currency)

Translation(s) & Context:

• драм - Used in formal, technical, or financial contexts, such as discussing historical weights or modern currency in Armenia.

Usage Examples:

• В аптеке они измеряют лекарства в граммах и драхмах.

  In the pharmacy, they measure medicines in grams and drams.

• Армянский драм — это национальная валюта страны.

  The Armenian dram is the national currency of the country.

• В старых рецептах часто упоминается драм как единица измерения.

  In old recipes, dram is often mentioned as a unit of measurement.

• Он обменял доллары на драхмы для поездки в Армению.

  He exchanged dollars for drams for his trip to Armenia.

Meaning 2: Informal reference to a small drink (e.g., of whiskey, though less common in Russian)

Translation(s) & Context:

• драм - Informal or slang adaptation, often in borrowed contexts; may not be standard Russian.

Usage Examples:

• После тяжелого дня он выпил драм виски.

  After a hard day, he had a dram of whiskey.

• В баре заказали по драм скотча для тоста.

  In the bar, they ordered a dram of Scotch for the toast.

• Драм бренди — это традиционный способ расслабиться.

  A dram of brandy is a traditional way to unwind.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word 'драм' is a masculine noun in Russian. It follows standard noun declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: As a borrowed word, inflections may vary slightly in modern usage, but the above is standard.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гран (gran) - Used in some historical contexts for similar weight units.
  • унция (untsiya) - For related measurement units, implying a small amount.
• Antonyms:
  • килограмм (kilogramm) - Represents a much larger unit of weight.

Related Phrases:

• Армянский драм (Armianskii drahm) - Refers to the Armenian currency; used in financial discussions.
• Драм виски (Drahm viski) - A small shot of whiskey; informal phrase for drinks.
• Измерить в драхмах (Izmerit' v drahmakh) - To measure in drams; common in scientific or historical contexts.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word 'драм' directly corresponds to the English 'dram' in specific contexts like measurements or currency, but it's not widely used outside of technical or Armenian-related discussions. English speakers should note that Russian nouns change based on case, so always consider the grammatical context (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing translations, opt for 'драм' in formal writing; in casual speech, descriptive phrases might be more natural. Be aware of regional variations, as this word is more prevalent in post-Soviet states.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'драм' as if it were an English word without inflection, e.g., saying "Я имею драм" instead of the correct genitive form.

  Correct: "Я имею драхму" (if referring to one dram in genitive context). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners often forget to decline nouns, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'драм' with 'драма' (meaning drama or theater), which is a different word. For example, saying 'драм' when meaning a play.

  Correct: Use 'драма' for theatrical contexts. Explanation: These words look similar but have distinct meanings and uses, so context is key to avoid mix-ups.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'драм' is notably associated with Armenian culture, as it is the name of Armenia's national currency introduced in 1993 after the country's independence. This reflects historical ties to ancient measurement systems and symbolizes national identity in modern contexts. English speakers learning Russian might encounter it in discussions of economics or travel in the Caucasus region.

Related Concepts:

• гривна (grivna) - Another currency unit in the region.
• унция (untsiya) - Related weight measurement.
• валюта (valyuta) - General term for currency.