Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fourteenth'

English Word: fourteenth

Key Russian Translations:

• четырнадцатый (/tʃɪtɨrnəˈtsatɨj/) - [Ordinal Number, Formal/Informal, Masculine Singular]

Frequency: Medium (This ordinal number is commonly used in contexts like dates, lists, or rankings, but not as frequently as basic cardinals in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it involves basic number formation and is straightforward for English speakers learning Russian ordinals.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

четырнадцатый: /tʃɪtɨrnəˈtsatɨj/

Note on четырнадцатый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tsatɨj"), and the initial "ч" is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the "ch" in "church." Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which softens the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Ordinal number indicating the position "fourteenth" in a sequence.

Translation(s) & Context:

• четырнадцатый - Used in formal and informal contexts for ordering items, such as dates, lists, or rankings (e.g., in historical events or schedules).

Usage Examples:

• Двадцать первое столетие началось четырнадцатого января 2001 года.

  The twenty-first century began on the fourteenth of January 2001.

• В списке участников он был четырнадцатым.

  In the list of participants, he was fourteenth.

• Четырнадцатого числа мы отмечаем праздник.

  On the fourteenth, we celebrate the holiday.

• Её четырнадцатое место в конкурсе было неожиданным.

  Her fourteenth place in the competition was unexpected.

• Четырнадцатый этаж здания — это офис компании.

  The fourteenth floor of the building is the company's office.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Четырнадцатый" is an ordinal numeral adjective, which inflects based on gender, number, and case in Russian. It follows the standard patterns for adjectives and agrees with the noun it modifies. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections; it follows the regular adjective paradigm. For example, in plural forms, it changes based on the noun's gender and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • четырнадцатый (no direct synonyms, but can be rephrased as "номер четырнадцать" in informal contexts, meaning "number fourteen") - Used interchangeably in lists.
• Antonyms:
  • первый (first) - Indicates the opposite end of a sequence.
  • последний (last) - Generally opposes ordinal positions.

Related Phrases:

• Четырнадцатое число месяца - A common phrase meaning "the fourteenth of the month," often used in scheduling or calendars.
• Занять четырнадцатое место - Means "to take fourteenth place," as in competitions or rankings, with a connotation of mid-level achievement.
• Четырнадцатый век - Refers to "the fourteenth century," used in historical discussions to denote a specific era.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "четырнадцатый" directly corresponds to the English "fourteenth" as an ordinal number and must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it describes. For example, use the feminine form "четырнадцатая" for feminine nouns like "страница" (page). It's versatile across formal and informal settings but is more common in written contexts like dates or official documents. When choosing between translations, stick to "четырнадцатый" for standard ordinal use; avoid direct English-to-Russian word-for-word translation to ensure natural flow. In spoken Russian, numbers like this are often shortened in casual speech, e.g., "14-й" in texting.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the cardinal number "четырнадцать" (fourteen) instead of the ordinal "четырнадцатый." For example, learners might say "Я четырнадцать в списке" instead of "Я четырнадцатый в списке."

  Correct: "Я четырнадцатый в списке" (I am fourteenth in the list). Explanation: Ordinal numbers indicate position, not quantity, so the ending must change to reflect this.

• Error: Failing to inflect for case, e.g., using "четырнадцатый" in the genitive case where "четырнадцатого" is needed. For instance, "книги четырнадцатый" instead of "книги четырнадцатого."

  Correct: "книги четырнадцатого века" (books of the fourteenth century). Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so always adjust the ending based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, ordinal numbers like "четырнадцатый" are significant in historical contexts, such as referencing the Fourteenth Century, which included events like the rise of the Golden Horde. This period is often discussed in Russian education and literature, emphasizing Russia's medieval history and its impact on national identity.

Related Concepts:

• пятнадцатый (fifteenth)
• тринадцатый (thirteenth)
• век (century)
• месяц (month)