Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gold'

English Word: gold

Key Russian Translations:

• золото [zɐˈɫotə] - [Noun, Neutral gender, Formal and Informal]
• золотой [zɐlɐˈtoj] - [Adjective, Formal and Informal, Used for describing color or material qualities]

Frequency: High - 'золото' and 'золотой' are commonly used in everyday language, literature, and media, especially in contexts related to economics, jewelry, and history.

Difficulty: A1 for basic forms (Beginner level), but B2 for full inflections and nuances (Intermediate level, as it involves gender and declension rules).

Pronunciation (Russian):

золото: [zɐˈɫotə]

золотой: [zɐlɐˈtoj]

Note on золото: The 'л' sound is a soft lateral approximant, which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens before vowels. A common variant in fast speech is [zɐˈlotə].

Note on золотой: Stress on the second syllable; the ending '-ой' often diphthongs in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The precious metal or element

Translation(s) & Context:

• золото - Used in contexts of mining, finance, or physical objects like jewelry; common in formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Это золото из сибирских шахт очень чистое.

  This gold from the Siberian mines is very pure.

• Золото всегда было символом богатства в русской культуре.

  Gold has always been a symbol of wealth in Russian culture.

• В банке хранится большое количество золота.

  A large amount of gold is stored in the bank.

• Они нашли золото во время экспедиции.

  They found gold during the expedition.

The color gold

Translation(s) & Context:

• золотой - Used to describe colors, materials, or metaphorical qualities; often in artistic or descriptive language.

Usage Examples:

• Её волосы имеют золотой оттенок на закате.

  Her hair has a golden shade at sunset.

• Золотой цвет осенних листьев прекрасен.

  The golden color of autumn leaves is beautiful.

• Он надел золотой костюм на свадьбу.

  He wore a golden suit to the wedding.

• Золотой свет лампы освещал комнату.

  The golden light of the lamp illuminated the room.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'золото' (neuter noun), it follows standard second-declension patterns with regular inflections based on case and number. 'золотой' (adjective) agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

For 'золотой' (adjective examples in masculine singular):

Note: These are regular patterns; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • драгоценный металл (precious metal; more general and formal)
  • золотистый (for the color; implies a yellowish shade, often used in poetic contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • серебро (silver; used in contrast for metals)
  • чёрный (black; for the color, implying the opposite of golden hues)

Related Phrases:

• золотой запас - Refers to gold reserves, often in economic contexts, like national treasuries.
• золотое сечение - Means "golden ratio," a mathematical and artistic concept.
• золотая медаль - Translates to "gold medal," used in sports or awards.

Usage Notes:

'Золото' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'gold' as a metal, while 'золотой' is used for adjectival forms. In Russian, always ensure agreement in gender, number, and case; for example, use 'золотое' for neuter nouns. It's versatile across formal and informal settings but carries cultural weight in historical contexts, such as Russian folklore. When choosing between translations, opt for 'золото' for literal references and 'золотой' for descriptive ones.

• In financial discussions, 'золото' is preferred for precision.
• Avoid overusing in casual speech to prevent sounding overly poetic.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake the gender of 'золото' (neuter) and forget to decline it properly, e.g., saying "золото" in all cases instead of "золота" in genitive. Incorrect: "Я имею золото" (wrong declension in some contexts). Correct: "Я имею золото" (nominative is fine here), but in genitive: "У меня нет золота" (correct). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'золото' symbolizes wealth, power, and tradition, often linked to historical events like the Gold Rush in Siberia or imperial treasures. It appears in folklore as a motif for prosperity, as in fairy tales where heroes seek golden objects, reflecting Russia's vast natural resources and historical opulence.

Related Concepts:

• серебро
• платина
• драгоценности