Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hotel'

English Word: hotel

Key Russian Translations:

• отель [ɐˈtʲelʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in modern contexts for commercial lodging]
• гостиница [ɡɐsʲtʲɪˈnʲit͡sə] - [Formal, slightly more traditional or regional variation]

Frequency: High (This word and its variants are frequently used in everyday travel, tourism, and business contexts in Russian-speaking regions.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner) for basic recognition; B1 (Intermediate) for proper inflection and pronunciation, as it involves understanding Russian noun declensions.

Pronunciation (Russian):

отель: [ɐˈtʲelʲ] (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'тʲ' is a palatalized 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

гостиница: [ɡɐsʲtʲɪˈnʲit͡sə] (Stress on the third syllable; note the soft 'сʲ' and the rolling 'r' if present in some dialects.)

Note on отель: Be cautious with the palatalization; it sounds softer than in English. In some regional accents, the vowel sounds may vary slightly.

Note on гостиница: This word has a more flowing pronunciation; practice the 'г' as a voiced velar fricative.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The primary meaning: A commercial establishment that provides lodging, meals, and services for travelers.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отель - Used in formal, urban, or international contexts, such as hotel chains or online bookings; preferred in modern Russian for its brevity.
• гостиница - Used in more traditional or regional settings, like smaller towns; implies a slightly more homely or historical feel.

Usage Examples:

• Я забронировал номер в отеле на выходные. (Ya zabroniroval nomer v otelye na vykhodnyye.)

  I booked a room in the hotel for the weekend. (This example shows the word in a travel planning context.)

• Гостиница была полна туристов во время фестиваля. (Gostinitsa byla polna turistov vo vremya festivalya.)

  The hotel was full of tourists during the festival. (Illustrates usage in a busy, event-related scenario.)

• Мы остановились в комфортабельном отеле в центре города. (My ostanovilis' v komfortabel'nom otelye v tsentre goroda.)

  We stayed in a comfortable hotel in the city center. (Demonstrates the word with adjectives for description.)

• В этой гостинице есть спа-центр и ресторан. (V etoy gostinitse yest' spa-tsentr i restoran.)

  This hotel has a spa center and a restaurant. (Shows the word in a list of amenities.)

• Отель предоставляет бесплатный Wi-Fi для гостей. (Otel' predostavlyayet besplatnyy Wi-Fi dlya gostey.)

  The hotel provides free Wi-Fi for guests. (Highlights modern service-oriented usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "отель" and "гостиница" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine declension patterns. Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. "Отель" is more commonly used and has regular inflections, while "гостиница" is also regular but can vary slightly in some dialects.

Note: These are regular patterns, but "отель" is less commonly inflected in informal speech due to its borrowed status from French.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гостиница (Similar to 'hotel' but with a more traditional connotation; often used interchangeably in everyday speech.)
  • постоялый двор (More archaic, implying an inn or roadside lodging; used in historical contexts.)
• Antonyms:
  • хостел (Hostel; implies budget, shared accommodations.)
  • дом (Home; as in a private residence, contrasting with commercial lodging.)

Related Phrases:

• Заезд в отель (Zaezd v otel') - Check-in at the hotel; used when arriving and registering.
• Выезд из гостиницы (Vyyezd iz gostinitsy) - Check-out from the hotel; refers to departing and settling accounts.
• Номер в отеле (Nomer v otelye) - Hotel room; a common phrase for booking specific accommodations.
• Гостиница с видом на море (Gostinitsa s vidom na more) - Hotel with a sea view; highlights amenities in travel descriptions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "отель" is the most direct equivalent to the English "hotel" and is preferred in formal or international contexts, while "гостиница" may evoke a more Soviet-era or regional feel. Choose "отель" for modern urban settings and online platforms. Be mindful of case changes in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to agree with prepositions (e.g., "в отеле" for "in the hotel"). This word doesn't have gender variations but must inflect for number and case. English speakers often confuse it with "гостиница," but the latter can imply smaller or less luxurious options.

• Always pair with appropriate prepositions, like "в отеле" (in the hotel) or "из отеля" (from the hotel).
• In business Russian, use "отель" for professionalism; in casual talk, both are acceptable.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse inflections, such as saying "в отель" instead of "в отеле" for "in the hotel," which is incorrect because it requires the prepositional case. Correct example: Incorrect: "Я иду в отель." (Wrong: Nominative case used.) Correct: "Я иду в отель." (Actually, for direction, accusative is used in some contexts, but prepositional is standard for location.) Another error is confusing it with "гостиница" and using them interchangeably without context; for instance, in a high-end setting, "отель" is more appropriate. Explanation: Always check the case based on the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, hotels like "отель" often reflect the country's vast geography and tourism industry, with many linked to historical sites (e.g., in Moscow or St. Petersburg). "Гостиница" may carry echoes of Soviet-era hospitality, emphasizing communal aspects, which can influence social interactions during stays.

Related Concepts:

• ресторан (Restaurant; often found within hotels)
• туристическое агентство (Travel agency; related to booking hotels)
• авиабилет (Air ticket; commonly paired with hotel arrangements for travel)