granddaughter
Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'granddaughter'
English Word: granddaughter
Key Russian Translations:
- внучка [vnuʂ.kə] - [Informal, Feminine, Singular; Used in everyday family contexts]
Frequency: Medium (Common in family-related conversations but not as frequent as basic everyday words like "mother" or "father").
Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; Involves basic noun declensions, which can be challenging for beginners due to Russian's complex case system, but straightforward once patterns are learned).
Pronunciation (Russian):
внучка: [vnuʂ.kə]
Note on внучка: The "щ" sound (transcribed as ʂ) is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in "she" but softer and more hissed. Stress falls on the first syllable. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects, such as in southern Russia where it might sound slightly softer.
Audio: Play Pronunciation Audio (Insert actual audio file link or player here).
Meanings and Usage:
1. A female child of one's son or daughter; the granddaughter in a family lineage.
Translation(s) & Context:
- внучка - Typically used in informal, familial settings to refer to a granddaughter, emphasizing affection or family bonds; common in spoken Russian and literature.
Usage Examples:
-
Моя внучка любит читать книги по вечерам.
My granddaughter loves to read books in the evenings. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting daily routines.)
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Внучка приехала навестить бабушку на выходные.
The granddaughter came to visit her grandmother on the weekend. (Demonstrates use in a context involving travel and family visits, with the noun in nominative case.)
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У меня две внучки: одна в Москве, а другая в Санкт-Петербурге.
I have two granddaughters: one in Moscow and the other in Saint Petersburg. (Illustrates plural form and geographical contexts, showing how the word fits into broader descriptions.)
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Внучка помогла дедушке в саду, несмотря на дождь.
The granddaughter helped her grandfather in the garden, despite the rain. (This shows the word in a narrative context with action verbs, emphasizing family roles.)
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Каждое лето мы едем к внучке в деревню.
Every summer, we go to the granddaughter's place in the village. (Exhibits use with prepositions and in habitual actions, demonstrating genitive case in related phrases.)
Russian Forms/Inflections:
"Внучка" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. As a common noun, it inflects regularly across the six grammatical cases. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:
Case | Singular | Plural |
---|---|---|
Nominative (Именительный) | внучка | внучки |
Genitive (Родительный) | внучки | внучек |
Dative (Дательный) | внучке | внучкам |
Accusative (Винительный) | внучку | внучек |
Instrumental (Творительный) | внучкой | внучками |
Prepositional (Предложный) | внучке | внучках |
Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners. Always adjust based on sentence structure; for example, in genitive case, it might indicate possession (e.g., "дом внучки" - the granddaughter's house).
Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:
- Synonyms:
- внучечка - A diminutive form, implying endearment or affection, often used with young children (e.g., in informal family talk).
- потомок женского пола - A more formal or literal phrase meaning "female descendant," used in legal or historical contexts with slight differences in connotation.
- Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific familial term. However, related opposites might include "внук" (grandson) for gender contrast.
Related Phrases:
- любимая внучка - Beloved granddaughter; Used to express affection in family stories or conversations.
- внучка от сына - Granddaughter from one's son; Specifies lineage in formal discussions.
- маленькая внучка - Little granddaughter; Common in contexts describing young children, emphasizing age.
Usage Notes:
In Russian, "внучка" directly corresponds to the English "granddaughter" but carries a warm, familial tone, often implying closeness. It is primarily used in informal settings; for formal writing, phrases like "внучка по отцовской линии" (granddaughter on the father's side) might be employed. Be mindful of gender agreement, as Russian nouns must match adjectives and verbs accordingly (e.g., "моя внучка" uses feminine endings). When choosing between translations, "внучка" is the most straightforward and common; avoid overusing diminutives like "внучечка" in professional contexts to prevent sounding overly casual.
Common Errors:
Error: Using the masculine form "внук" for a granddaughter. Incorrect: Мой внук учится. (This implies a grandson.) Correct: Моя внучка учится. (This specifies a granddaughter.) Explanation: Russian requires gender-specific nouns; confusing them can alter the meaning entirely, leading to misunderstandings in family discussions.
Error: Forgetting case inflections, such as using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: Я думаю о внучка. (Grammatically wrong.) Correct: Я думаю о внучке. (Genitive case required after prepositions like "о".) Explanation: English learners often overlook Russian's case system, which is crucial for sentence structure; always check the preposition or verb requirements.
Cultural Notes:
In Russian culture, family ties are deeply valued, and terms like "внучка" often appear in folklore, literature, and everyday life, symbolizing continuity and heritage. For instance, in Russian fairy tales or family anecdotes, granddaughters are frequently portrayed as helpers or inheritors, reflecting the importance of multi-generational households in traditional Russian society.
Related Concepts:
- внук (grandson)
- бабушка (grandmother)
- дедушка (grandfather)
- семья (family)