Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'holding'

English Word: holding

Key Russian Translations:

• холдинг [xɐˈlʲdʲɪŋ] - [Formal, Business Context]
• держание [dʲɪrˈʐanʲjɪ] - [Formal, Legal or Abstract Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in business and finance discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of loanwords and nominal forms; 'холдинг' is straightforward for learners familiar with English loanwords, while 'держание' may involve more nuanced grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

холдинг: [xɐˈlʲdʲɪŋ]

Note on холдинг: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch." Stress falls on the second syllable.

держание: [dʲɪrˈʐanʲjɪ]

Note on держание: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative; be careful with the soft sign 'ь' affecting pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A company or entity that owns and controls other companies (Noun, Business Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• холдинг - Used in formal business or economic discussions, often referring to corporate structures.
• держание - Less common, but applicable in legal contexts for ownership or control.

Usage Examples:

• Эта компания является частью крупного холдинга.

  This company is part of a large holding.

• Холдинг управляет несколькими филиалами по всей стране.

  The holding manages several branches across the country.

• Инвесторы заинтересованы в покупке акций холдинга.

  Investors are interested in buying shares of the holding.

• Правительство регулирует деятельность холдингов в нефтяной отрасли.

  The government regulates the activities of holdings in the oil industry.

Meaning 2: The act of holding or grasping something (Noun, General or Physical Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• держание - Used in more abstract or physical senses, such as in sports or everyday actions.

Usage Examples:

• Его держание руля было уверенным во время шторма.

  His holding of the steering wheel was confident during the storm.

• Держание документов в руках помогло ему не потерять их.

  Holding the documents in his hands helped him not lose them.

• В спорте правильное держание мяча критически важно.

  In sports, the proper holding of the ball is critically important.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Холдинг' is a masculine noun borrowed from English, and it typically follows the third declension with minimal changes. It is often treated as indeclinable in modern usage due to its foreign origin.

'Держание' is a neuter noun and follows standard second declension patterns, with regular inflections as shown below:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • концерн (koncern) - Similar to 'holding' but implies a larger conglomerate; often used interchangeably in business.
  • владение (vladjenije) - For 'holding' in the sense of possession; more general.
• Antonyms:
  • продажа (prodazha) - Sale, opposite of holding in a business context.
  • освобождение (osvobozhdenije) - Release, opposite in a physical holding sense.

Related Phrases:

• финансовый холдинг - Financial holding; a company that manages financial assets.
• группа холдингов - Group of holdings; refers to a network of companies.
• держание власти - Holding power; used in political contexts to mean maintaining control.

Usage Notes:

'Холдинг' is a direct loanword from English and is primarily used in formal, professional settings like business or finance. It directly corresponds to the English 'holding' in corporate contexts but may not fit everyday conversations. For the verb form of 'holding' (e.g., to hold), 'держать' is more appropriate, though 'держание' is nominal. Choose 'холдинг' for modern economic discussions and be mindful of declensions in sentences. In informal speech, native speakers might prefer synonyms like 'концерн' for variety.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'холдинг' without proper declension, e.g., saying "в холдинг" instead of "в холдинге" (prepositional case).
  Correct: "Работа в холдинге" (Working in a holding).
  Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; learners often overlook this due to the word's English origin.
• Mistake: Confusing 'холдинг' with 'держание' in business contexts, leading to awkward phrasing.
  Correct: Use 'холдинг' for companies; 'держание' for physical or abstract holding.
  Explanation: This can make sentences sound unnatural, as the words have different connotations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and economy, 'холдинг' often evokes post-Soviet business reforms, where large conglomerates emerged during privatization in the 1990s. It symbolizes corporate power and is frequently discussed in media related to oligarchs or state-controlled enterprises, reflecting Russia's transition to a market economy.

Related Concepts:

• акционерное общество
• инвестиции
• корпорация