Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hundredweight'

English Word: hundredweight

Key Russian Translations:

• центнер [ˈtsɛntnʲɪr] - [Formal, Used in trade, agriculture, and official measurements]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in specialized contexts like commerce, agriculture, or historical discussions; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Involves understanding measurement units and basic Russian noun declensions; learners with some vocabulary on weights and measures will find it manageable, but cultural context adds complexity.

Pronunciation (Russian):

центнер: [ˈtsɛntnʲɪr]

Note on центнер: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'ц' sound is a voiceless alveolar affricate, which may be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'ts' in 'cats'. Pronunciation can vary slightly by region, but [ˈtsɛntnʲɪr] is standard in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A unit of weight equivalent to 100 pounds (imperial) or approximately 50 kilograms, often used in trade and historical contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• центнер - Typically used for bulk goods in formal or professional settings, such as agriculture or shipping; it aligns with the metric system in Russia (100 kg), but note the imperial difference.

Usage Examples:

• Этот груз весит ровно один центнер.

  This cargo weighs exactly one hundredweight.

• В сельском хозяйстве центнер часто используется для измерения урожая.

  In agriculture, a hundredweight is often used to measure harvest yields.

• Торговцы предпочитают измерять товары в центнерах для точности.

  Merchants prefer to measure goods in hundredweights for accuracy.

• Исторически центнер был стандартом в торговле, но теперь его заменяют метрические единицы.

  Historically, the hundredweight was a standard in trade, but it's now being replaced by metric units.

• При экспорте зерна вес указывается в центнерах на документах.

  When exporting grain, the weight is specified in hundredweights on the documents.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Центнер" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пуд (pood) - An older Russian unit of weight (about 16.38 kg), used in historical contexts; less precise for modern hundredweight equivalents.
  • гиг (gig) - Informal slang for large weights, but not a direct synonym; applicable in casual trade talk.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as this is a unit of measurement without direct opposites. However, contrasting units like "грамм" (gram) could imply smaller scales.

Related Phrases:

• Метрический центнер - A metric hundredweight (exactly 100 kg); used in international trade for standardization.
• Центнер зерна - A hundredweight of grain; common in agricultural contexts to denote bulk produce.
• Вес в центнерах - Weight in hundredweights; phrase used in shipping or inventory logs.

Usage Notes:

Be aware that "hundredweight" in English can refer to either the short hundredweight (100 pounds) or long hundredweight (112 pounds), but in Russian, "центнер" standardizes to 100 kg in the metric system. English learners should note this discrepancy to avoid confusion in international contexts. Use "центнер" in formal writing or professional discussions, but it's less common in everyday speech. When translating, choose based on context: imperial vs. metric. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules for accurate sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "центнер" with "килограмм" and using it interchangeably without considering the scale difference.

  Incorrect: "Этот груз весит 100 центнеров." (This implies an enormous weight, like 10,000 kg.)

  Correct: "Этот груз весит 100 килограммов." or "Этот груз весит один центнер." (for 100 kg)

  Explanation: Learners often mix units due to familiarity with kilograms; always verify the context to match the appropriate scale.

• Error: Failing to decline "центнер" properly in sentences, e.g., using the nominative form in all cases.

  Incorrect: "Купить товар в центнер" (missing dative case).

  Correct: "Купить товар в центнере" (prepositional case for "in").

  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with case, so practice declension to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "центнер" reflects the country's shift to the metric system after the 1917 Revolution, replacing older imperial units like "пуд." It carries historical connotations in agriculture and trade, symbolizing standardization in a vast, resource-rich nation. Understanding this helps English speakers grasp how measurement units are intertwined with Russia's industrial history and global trade practices.

Related Concepts:

• килограмм (kilogram)
• тонна (ton)
• пуд (pood, an historical unit)