Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hall'

English Word: hall

Key Russian Translations:

• зал [zal] - [Formal, Singular, Used for large public or assembly spaces]
• коридор [kərʲɪˈdor] - [Informal, Singular, Used specifically for hallways or corridors]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and formal contexts, especially in descriptions of buildings or events)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level for basic nouns; may vary to B1 for contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зал: [zal] (Stressed on the first syllable; the 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, similar to 'z' in 'zebra')

коридор: [kərʲɪˈdor] (Stressed on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'рʲ' sound, which is a soft 'r')

Note on зал: Be cautious with the vowel length; in fast speech, it may sound slightly shortened. For коридор, the soft 'рʲ' can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A large room or space for gatherings, events, or assemblies (e.g., concert hall, assembly hall)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зал - Used in formal or public settings, such as theaters or meeting rooms; common in written and spoken Russian for architectural descriptions.
• коридор - Less common for this meaning; applied when 'hall' refers to a passageway, but not ideal for large spaces.

Usage Examples:

• В большом зале театра собралась публика на премьеру.

  In the large hall of the theater, the audience gathered for the premiere.

• Концертный зал был заполнен до отказа.

  The concert hall was packed to capacity.

• После урока дети вышли в школьный зал для собрания.

  After the lesson, the children went out to the school hall for an assembly.

• Зал ожидания в аэропорту был переполнен путешественниками.

  The waiting hall in the airport was overcrowded with travelers.

• В историческом зале музея выставлены древние артефакты.

  In the historical hall of the museum, ancient artifacts are displayed.

Meaning 2: A passageway or corridor in a building (e.g., hallway)

Translation(s) & Context:

• коридор - Used for indoor passages; informal and everyday contexts, such as homes or offices.
• зал - Occasionally used metaphorically, but not standard for this meaning.

Usage Examples:

• По коридору дома эхом разносились шаги.

  Footsteps echoed down the hall of the house.

• В офисе коридор соединяет все кабинеты.

  The hall in the office connects all the rooms.

• Дети бегали по длинному коридору, играя в прятки.

  The children ran through the long hall, playing hide-and-seek.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'зал' and 'коридор' are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine declension patterns. 'зал' is a second-declension noun with regular inflections, while 'коридор' is also regular but may have slight variations in certain forms.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • аудитория [aʊdʲɪˈtorʲɪjə] - Similar to 'зал' but specifically for lecture halls; used in educational contexts.
  • зальная комната [zɑˈlʲnəjə kəˈmɑtə] - A more descriptive synonym for 'зал', implying a room-like space.
• Antonyms:
  • улица [ʊˈlʲit͡sə] - Street (opposite of an indoor hall, implying outdoor space).

Related Phrases:

• Концертный зал - Concert hall; a fixed phrase for performance venues.
• Школьный коридор - School hall; used for educational settings, implying a passageway.
• Зал ожидания - Waiting hall; common in transportation contexts like airports or stations.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'hall' often translates to 'зал' in Russian when referring to large, public spaces, but 'коридор' is more appropriate for narrow passageways. Choose based on context: 'зал' is formal and architectural, while 'коридор' is everyday. Grammatically, both are masculine nouns, so they require appropriate adjective agreements (e.g., большой зал for 'big hall'). Avoid direct word-for-word translations; consider the specific type of hall in context.

• In formal writing, 'зал' pairs well with events (e.g., "в зале" means "in the hall").
• For learners, note that Russian nouns change by case, which affects sentence structure unlike English.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing 'зал' with 'коридор' and using them interchangeably. For example, English speakers might say "в коридор театра" (incorrect for "in the theater hall"), when it should be "в зале театра". Correct usage: Use 'зал' for spacious areas and 'коридор' for linear paths. Another error is forgetting case changes; e.g., saying "я иду в зал" instead of "я иду в зал" (which is correct here, but in genitive: "от зала"). Always check the required case based on prepositions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'зал' often evokes images of grand public spaces like those in historic theaters or Soviet-era community centers, symbolizing communal gatherings. For instance, the Bolshoi Theater's main hall is iconic, representing Russia's rich performing arts heritage. This cultural connotation can add emotional depth to its usage in literature or media.

Related Concepts:

• аудитория
• театр
• помещение