Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'five'

English Word: five

Key Russian Translations:

• пять /patʲ/ - [Formal, Cardinal number]

Frequency: High (This word is extremely common in everyday Russian, used in counting, mathematics, and general conversation.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as basic numbers are among the first elements learned in Russian for English speakers.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пять: /patʲ/

Note on пять: The "ть" ending can be tricky for beginners; it's a soft "t" sound, similar to the "t" in "nature" in English. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The cardinal number five.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пять - Used in basic counting, quantities, ages, and measurements. Context: Formal and informal settings, such as shopping, telling time, or describing groups.

Usage Examples:

• У меня пять яблок.

  I have five apples. (This example shows the word in a simple possessive sentence, common in everyday conversation.)

• Ему пять лет.

  He is five years old. (Demonstrates usage with age, a frequent context in personal or family discussions.)

• Пять плюс три равно восемь.

  Five plus three equals eight. (Illustrates the word in a mathematical context, which is straightforward and educational.)

• В группе пять человек.

  There are five people in the group. (Shows usage in describing quantities of people, often in social or organizational settings.)

• Я купил пять книг.

  I bought five books. (This example highlights the word in a transactional context, like shopping.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "пять" is a cardinal number in Russian and does not change for gender, but it inflects based on case and number. Unlike nouns, numbers like пять have specific forms for different grammatical cases. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: For numbers greater than four, the noun following them is typically in the genitive plural, as shown in the examples.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пяток (pyatok) - Informal variant for "five" in some dialects, often used in counting small quantities.
  • пятерик (pyaterik) - Rare, poetic or archaic form, implying a group of five.
• Antonyms:
  • ноль (nol) - Zero, the opposite in numerical value.
  • один (odin) - One, as a contrasting small number.

Related Phrases:

• Пять минут (Pyat' minut) - Five minutes; used in time-related contexts, e.g., "Я опоздал на пять минут" (I was five minutes late).
• Пять звезд (Pyat' zvezd) - Five stars; refers to ratings, like in hotels or reviews.
• Пятничный (Pyatnichnyy) - Friday (related to the fifth day); a common phrase for weekend anticipation.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "пять" directly corresponds to the English "five" as a cardinal number and is used similarly in sentences. However, remember that Russian nouns following numbers like пять must agree in case (usually genitive plural). For example, use it in formal and informal contexts alike, but be cautious with word order in complex sentences. When choosing between translations, "пять" is the standard and most versatile option for English speakers learning numbers.

• It's invariant in gender but changes with case, as detailed in the inflections section.
• In spoken language, it might be shortened or altered in fast speech, so listening practice is key.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake the case endings, such as using "пять" in the wrong form. For instance:

• Error: Saying "У меня пять apple" (incorrect mixing of languages or cases).
• Correct: У меня пять яблок. (Explanation: The noun "яблок" is in genitive plural to agree with the number.)
• Another Error: Forgetting to adjust for case, e.g., "Дать пять рубль" instead of "Дать пять рублей". (Correct form: Use genitive plural for the noun.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the number five doesn't carry as much symbolic weight as in some other traditions (e.g., five elements in Chinese culture), but it appears in everyday phrases like "пять копеек" (five kopecks, meaning a small amount of money) or in folklore. Historically, it relates to the five-year plans in Soviet times, symbolizing progress and industrialization.

Related Concepts:

• шесть (shest') - Six
• четыре (chetyre) - Four
• десять (desyat') - Ten