Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'furniture'

English Word: furniture

Key Russian Translations:

• мебель (/ˈmʲebʲɪlʲ/) - [Formal, Informal; Used for general household items]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversations and written Russian)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мебель: /ˈmʲebʲɪlʲ/

Note on мебель: The initial "м" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft "m" followed by a "ye" sound. Pronounce it with emphasis on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Movable objects used to support various human activities, such as chairs, tables, and beds

Translation(s) & Context:

• мебель - Used in general contexts for household or office furniture; common in both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей гостиной стоит красивая мебель. (V nashey gostinoy stoit krasivaya mebel'.)

  In our living room, there is beautiful furniture.

• Мы купили новую мебель для офиса. (My kupili novuyu mebel' dlya ofisa.)

  We bought new furniture for the office.

• Эта старая мебель нуждается в реставрации. (Eta staraya mebel' nuzhdaetsya v restavratsii.)

  This old furniture needs restoration.

• Мебель в магазине сделана из натурального дерева. (Mebel' v magazine sdelana iz estestvennogo dereva.)

  The furniture in the store is made from natural wood.

• Дизайнер выбрал минималистичную мебель для квартиры. (Dizayner vybral minimalisticheskuyu mebel' dlya kvartiry.)

  The designer chose minimalist furniture for the apartment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Мебель" is a feminine noun in Russian and belongs to the third declension. It is invariable in the plural form, meaning it does not change based on number in most cases, but it does inflect for cases in singular and plural. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As an invariable plural noun, "мебель" remains the same in plural forms across cases, which simplifies its usage compared to more complex nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • предметы обстановки (predmety obstanovki) - More descriptive, used for items of interior decoration.
  • интерьерные вещи (inter'yernye veshchi) - Informal, emphasizing decorative aspects.
• Antonyms:
  • пустота (pustota) - Emptiness, lack of furniture.

Related Phrases:

• домашняя мебель (domashnyaya mebel') - Household furniture; Refers to items used in homes.
• мебель для гостиной (mebel' dlya gostinoy) - Living room furniture; Common phrase for furniture sets in social spaces.
• антикварная мебель (antikvarnaya mebel') - Antique furniture; Used in contexts involving historical or collectible items.

Usage Notes:

"Мебель" directly corresponds to the English word "furniture" as a collective noun, referring to a group of items rather than a single piece. It is neutral in terms of formality and can be used in everyday speech or formal writing. When choosing between translations, "мебель" is the most precise and versatile option. Be mindful of Russian word order; adjectives typically precede the noun, e.g., "красивая мебель" (beautiful furniture). In plural contexts, it remains unchanged, which differs from English plurality rules.

Common Errors:

• English learners often mistakenly treat "мебель" as a countable noun and add an article or pluralize it incorrectly, e.g., saying "мебели" when meaning "furnitures" (incorrect). Correct usage: Use it as an uncountable plural, like "много мебели" (a lot of furniture). Error example: "Я хочу купить мебели" (wrong, as it implies possession); Correct: "Я хочу купить мебель" (I want to buy furniture).

• Confusing inflections: Learners might forget case changes, e.g., using nominative in genitive contexts. Error example: "Купить мебель" in a phrase requiring genitive, like "Нужна мебель для комнаты" (correct); Error: "Нужна мебели для комнаты" (incorrect genitive misuse).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, furniture often reflects social status and family heritage. For instance, antique or handmade furniture ("мебель ручной работы") is highly valued and may be passed down through generations, symbolizing tradition and stability. During holidays like New Year's, families might rearrange furniture to accommodate guests, emphasizing hospitality.

Related Concepts:

• интерьер (inter'yer)
• диван (divan)
• стол (stol)