Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fifteen'

English Word: fifteen

Key Russian Translations:

• пятнадцать [pʲɪtʲˈnɐt͡sʲtʲ] - [Formal, used in standard counting and everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (Numbers like 'fifteen' are essential in daily communication, such as telling time, ages, and quantities.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; basic vocabulary that is straightforward for English speakers to learn due to its direct correspondence.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пятнадцать: [pʲɪtʲˈnɐt͡sʲtʲ]

Note on пятнадцать: The stress falls on the second syllable ("nɐt͡sʲtʲ"). Be mindful of the palatalized 't' sound, which is common in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it smoothly without separating the syllables too much.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The cardinal number fifteen.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пятнадцать - Used in general counting, ages, quantities, and time expressions. Common in both formal and informal settings, such as in mathematics, daily conversations, or official documents.

Usage Examples:

• Мне пятнадцать лет. (Mne pyatnadtsat' let.)

  I am fifteen years old. (This example shows the number in the context of stating age, a common personal introduction.)

• Пятнадцать минут до поезда. (Pyatnadtsat' minut do poyezda.)

  Fifteen minutes until the train. (Illustrates use in time expressions, emphasizing countdowns or schedules.)

• В классе пятнадцать учеников. (V klasse pyatnadtsat' uchenikov.)

  There are fifteen students in the class. (Demonstrates quantity in educational or group settings.)

• Стоимость пятнадцать рублей. (Stoimost' pyatnadtsat' rubley.)

  The cost is fifteen rubles. (Used in financial or shopping contexts, showing numbers with currency.)

• Пятнадцать страниц в книге. (Pyatnadtsat' stranits v knige.)

  Fifteen pages in the book. (Applies to measurements like pages, highlighting everyday object descriptions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

In Russian, the cardinal number 'пятнадцать' is invariable in its base form and does not change for gender, case, or number like nouns or adjectives do. However, when used with nouns, the nouns themselves must agree in case and number. For example:

Note: As a cardinal number, 'пятнадцать' remains unchanged, making it simple for beginners, but be aware of noun agreement rules in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None directly, as it's a specific number. However, 'пятнадцать' can be expressed as '15' in written form for informal contexts, with no semantic difference.
• Antonyms: Not applicable for numbers, as they are quantitative rather than oppositional.

Related Phrases:

• Пятнадцать минут - Fifteen minutes (Common in time-related expressions, such as waiting periods or schedules).
• Пятнадцать лет - Fifteen years (Often used for ages or durations, e.g., in biographical contexts).
• В пятнадцать часов - At fifteen o'clock (Equivalent to 3 PM in 24-hour time, used in formal or military scheduling).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'пятнадцать' directly corresponds to the English 'fifteen' and is used universally for counting. It is neutral in terms of formality, making it suitable for both casual conversations and formal writing. Always ensure that any accompanying noun is in the correct case; for instance, after numbers ending in 'five' like пятнадцать, nouns typically take the genitive plural. English speakers should note that Russian numbers don't have articles, so avoid adding extras like 'a' or 'the'. When choosing between translations, 'пятнадцать' is the standard and only accurate option for this exact number.

Common Errors:

• Mispronouncing the palatalized sounds: English learners often say [pʲɪtˈnæts] instead of [pʲɪtʲˈnɐt͡sʲtʲ], making it sound like 'peet-nats'. Correct: Practice the soft 't' sound by listening to native audio. Wrong example: "Pee-tna-ts" (incorrect softening); Right example: "Pʲɪtʲˈnɐt͡sʲtʲ".
• Incorrect noun agreement: Saying "Пятнадцать год" instead of "Пятнадцать лет" (forgetting genitive plural for years). Explanation: In Russian, the noun must change based on the number, so always check the case.
• Confusing with ordinal forms: Using 'пятнадцать' when 'пятнадцатый' is needed, e.g., "I live on fifteen floor" should be "Я живу на пятнадцатом этаже" (not "пятнадцать этаж").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, turning fifteen (пятнадцать лет) is not as culturally significant as in some other traditions (e.g., quinceañera in Latin American cultures), but it marks the transition into teenage years. Historically, in Soviet times, age 15 was when children could join youth organizations like the Komsomol, adding a layer of historical context to discussions of age in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• шестнадцать (sixteen)
• четырнадцать (fourteen)
• десяток (ten, as a base for counting)