Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'groom'

English Word: groom

Key Russian Translations:

• жених [ˈʐɨnʲɪx] - [Formal, Used in contexts of marriage and weddings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about relationships, weddings, and formal events, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; straightforward for beginners, as it involves simple noun usage with minimal irregularities)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жених: [ˈʐɨnʲɪx]

Note on жених: The initial 'ж' is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English. Stress falls on the first syllable, and the 'и' is pronounced as a short 'i' sound. Be cautious with the palatalized 'нʲ' which softens the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun meaning the bridegroom or a man about to be married

Translation(s) & Context:

• жених - Used in formal and semi-formal contexts, such as wedding announcements, family discussions, or legal documents related to marriage.

Usage Examples:

• Жених нервно поправлял галстук перед церемонией.

  The groom nervously adjusted his tie before the ceremony.

• На свадьбе все внимание было приковано к невесте и жениху.

  At the wedding, all attention was focused on the bride and the groom.

• Жених подарил невесте кольцо на помолвке.

  The groom gave the bride a ring at the engagement.

• В русской традиции жених часто несёт невесту на руках через порог.

  In Russian tradition, the groom often carries the bride over the threshold.

• Жених и невеста обменялись клятвами у алтаря.

  The groom and bride exchanged vows at the altar.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

жених is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard patterns for animate nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its primary inflections:

Note: The plural forms are used when referring to multiple grooms, though this is less common in everyday contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: супруг (suprug) - More general, meaning 'husband'; жених is specific to the pre-marriage period. Молодой человек (molodoy chelovek) - Informal, meaning 'young man' in romantic contexts.
• Antonyms: невеста (nevasta) - Meaning 'bride', the female counterpart in a wedding context.

Related Phrases:

• Жених и невеста (Zhenikh i nevasta) - Meaning: The groom and bride; Used in wedding-related discussions to refer to the couple.
• Подготовка жениха (Podgotovka zhenikha) - Meaning: Groom's preparation; Refers to the process of getting ready for the wedding, including attire and rituals.
• Жених на выданье (Zhenikh na vydanye) - Meaning: A groom who is ready for marriage; An idiomatic phrase implying someone is actively seeking or prepared for wedlock.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'жених' directly corresponds to the English 'groom' in marital contexts, but it's more formal and often used in written or ceremonial language. Unlike English, where 'groom' can also mean to care for animals or develop skills, the Russian equivalent for those senses would be different words like 'убирать' (ubirat') for animal care or 'воспитывать' (vospityvat') for training. When using 'жених', pay attention to case agreements in sentences, as Russian nouns change based on grammatical role. For example, choose this word in wedding invitations or family conversations rather than casual slang.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'жених' with 'муж' (muzh, meaning husband). Incorrect: "Мой жених уже год как женат" (My groom has been married for a year). Correct: "Мой муж уже год как женат" (My husband has been married for a year). Explanation: 'Жених' specifically refers to the period before marriage, while 'муж' is for after.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: "Я думаю о жених" (I am thinking about groom, but should be genitive). Correct: "Я думаю о женихе". Explanation: Russian requires nouns to agree in case with prepositions and verbs for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the 'жених' plays a central role in wedding traditions, such as the 'vykup nevesty' (ransom of the bride), where the groom must complete tasks or pay a symbolic ransom to 'claim' his bride. This reflects historical practices from Slavic folklore, emphasizing family and community involvement in marriages, which can add a layer of cultural significance beyond the literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• невеста (bride)
• свадьба (wedding)
• помолвка (engagement)