Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'book'

English Word: book

Key Russian Translations:

• книга /ˈknʲiɡə/ - [Formal, Noun, Refers to a physical or literary book]
• том /tom/ - [Formal, Noun, Used for a volume or part of a book, often in literary contexts]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday language, literature, and education)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

книга: /ˈknʲiɡə/

том: /tom/

Note on книга: The 'г' is pronounced as a soft 'g' sound, which can be challenging for beginners; it softens due to the following vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A written or printed work consisting of pages, often for reading or reference.

Translation(s) & Context:

• книга - Used in general contexts for books, such as novels, textbooks, or reference materials; common in formal and informal settings.
• том - Applied specifically to a single volume in a series, like in libraries or academic works; more formal and less common in casual speech.

Usage Examples:

• Я читаю интересную книгу о русской истории.

  I am reading an interesting book about Russian history.

• Эта книга лежит на столе в гостиной.

  This book is lying on the table in the living room.

• В библиотеке много книг разных авторов.

  In the library, there are many books by different authors.

• Она написала свою первую книгу в молодости.

  She wrote her first book in her youth.

Meaning 2: A collection of sheets of paper bound together, often for record-keeping.

Translation(s) & Context:

• книга - In contexts like account books or ledgers; informal to formal depending on the setting.

Usage Examples:

• Бухгалтер ведет книгу учета расходов.

  The accountant keeps a book of expense records.

• Эта старая книга содержит записи семьи.

  This old book contains family records.

• В магазине продают книги для записей.

  In the store, they sell books for notes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "книга", a feminine noun in the first declension, it follows regular patterns of Russian noun declension. Below is a table of its inflections:

For "том", also a masculine noun, it has its own regular inflections but is less variable in everyday use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • издание (izdaniye) - More formal, emphasizing a published edition.
  • труд (trud) - Used for scholarly or laborious works, with a connotation of effort.
• Antonyms:
  • фильм (film) - As in a movie, contrasting with a written work.
  • статья (stat'ya) - A shorter piece, like an article, opposing a full book.

Related Phrases:

• Книга отзывов (Kniga otzyvov) - A book of complaints or feedback, often found in stores or services.
• Читать книгу (Chitat' knigu) - To read a book; a common phrase for leisure reading.
• Написать книгу (Napisat' knigu) - To write a book; used in contexts of authorship.

Usage Notes:

"Книга" directly corresponds to the English "book" as a noun and is versatile across contexts, but remember that Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender with other words in the sentence. For formal writing, use "книга" in its appropriate declension. When choosing between translations like "книга" and "том", opt for "том" if referring to a specific volume in a series. Be aware of cultural emphasis on literature in Russia, where books often hold symbolic value.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline "книга" properly. For example, incorrectly saying "Я имею книга" instead of "Я имею книгу" (I have a book). The correct accusative form is "книгу" after verbs like "иметь".

• Confusing it with "книжка" (a diminutive for a small book or booklet), which might be used informally but changes the nuance. Avoid using "книжка" when meaning a standard book to prevent sounding childish.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, books like those by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky are not just literature but national treasures, often linked to intellectual and historical identity. The phrase "книга жизни" (book of life) metaphorically represents one's experiences, reflecting a deep cultural reverence for written works.

Related Concepts:

• библиотека (biblioteka)
• автор (avtor)
• литература (literatura)