Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intercom'

English Word: intercom

Key Russian Translations:

• домофон [dɐˈmofən] - [Formal, Used for residential or building intercom systems]
• внутренняя связь [vnʊˈtrʲenʲəjə svʲazʲ] - [Informal, Plural possible, Used in broader communication contexts like offices]

Frequency: Medium (Common in urban settings but not everyday vocabulary for all speakers)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "домофон"; A2 (Beginner) for "внутренняя связь" as it involves basic compound words

Pronunciation (Russian):

домофон: [dɐˈmofən] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'o' sounds like a short 'a' in 'father')

Note on домофон: Be cautious with the soft 'f' sound, which is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

внутренняя связь: [vnʊˈtrʲenʲəjə svʲazʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; palatalized consonants are key)

Note on внутренняя связь: The word "внутренняя" has a soft 'n' and 'r' that can be tricky for English speakers; practice the palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A device or system for internal communication, such as in buildings or apartments.

Translation(s) & Context:

• домофон - Typically used in residential contexts for security and entry systems; formal and technical.
• внутренняя связь - Applied in professional or general settings for internal office or building communication; can be pluralized for multiple systems.

Usage Examples:

• Я позвонил в домофон, чтобы впустить гостя.

  I called on the intercom to let the guest in. (Demonstrates basic usage in a residential scenario.)

• В офисе установлена внутренняя связь для быстрой коммуникации.

  An intercom system is installed in the office for quick communication. (Shows professional context with plural implications.)

• Домофон не работает; нужно вызвать мастера.

  The intercom isn't working; we need to call a technician. (Illustrates troubleshooting in everyday situations.)

• Через внутреннюю связь директор объявил о собрании.

  The director announced the meeting via the intercom system. (Highlights formal announcement usage.)

• Внутренняя связь в больнице помогает координировать персонал.

  The intercom system in the hospital helps coordinate staff. (Displays application in institutional settings.)

Secondary meaning: A broader system for internal audio or video communication.

Translation(s) & Context:

• домофон - Often extended to video intercoms; used in modern security contexts.
• внутренняя связь - Can imply networked systems; informal in tech discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Современный домофон оснащен камерой для видеонаблюдения.

  The modern intercom is equipped with a camera for video surveillance. (Shows technological advancement.)

• Внутренняя связь используется в гостиницах для связи с ресепшн.

  The intercom system is used in hotels to connect with reception. (Illustrates service industry application.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Домофон" is a masculine noun (second declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflections. Below is a table of its forms:

"Внутренняя связь" is a phrase where "внутренняя" is a feminine adjective (agrees with "связь", which is feminine). It inflects as follows: "связь" changes per standard feminine noun rules, and "внутренняя" agrees with it. No irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: интерком (direct borrowing), переговорное устройство (more descriptive term; used in formal contexts for precision)
• Antonyms: (None directly applicable, as this is a neutral device term)

Related Phrases:

• Открыть дверь по домофону - To open the door via intercom; commonly used in apartment security scenarios.
• Внутренняя связь в здании - Internal communication system in the building; refers to office or institutional setups.
• Домофон с видеокамерой - Intercom with a video camera; highlights modern integrations.

Usage Notes:

"Домофон" is the most precise translation for "intercom" in everyday Russian, especially for residential use, while "внутренняя связь" is better for broader or professional contexts. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the noun to agree in case with surrounding words, e.g., in prepositional phrases. Choose "домофон" for singular, hardware-specific references and "внутренняя связь" for systems involving multiple devices. Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings; "домофон" is neutral but common in urban dialogue.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the genitive case, e.g., saying "домофонa" incorrectly in nominative contexts. Error: "Я имею домофонa" (incorrect genitive). Correct: "Я имею домофон" (nominative). Another error is confusing it with "телефон" (phone), leading to "Я позвонил по телефон" for intercom use. Correct usage: Specify "домофон" to avoid ambiguity, as explained in context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "домофон" is a staple in urban apartment blocks due to high-density living and security concerns. It reflects cultural emphasis on community safety, often integrated with video for added protection, stemming from historical Soviet-era building designs.

Related Concepts:

• видеодомофон
• межкомнатная связь
• сигнализация