Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'karat'

English Word: karat

Key Russian Translations:

• карат [kɐˈrat] - [Neutral, Masculine Noun, Used in contexts related to gemstone purity or gold fineness]

Frequency: Medium (Common in specialized contexts like jewelry, trade, and metallurgy, but not in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should understand basic scientific and commercial terminology, though familiarity with Russian noun declensions is required)

Pronunciation (Russian):

карат: [kɐˈrat]

Note on карат: The stress falls on the second syllable, which is common in Russian loanwords. Be mindful of the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers used to harder 'r' pronunciations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A unit of measurement for the purity of gold or gemstones

Translation(s) & Context:

• карат - Used in formal and technical contexts, such as describing the fineness of gold in jewelry or trade; common in scientific, commercial, or appraisal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Этот золотой браслет имеет пробу 18 карат. (This gold bracelet has a fineness of 18 karats.)

  English Translation: This gold bracelet has a fineness of 18 karats.

• Алмаз весит 2 карата и имеет высокую чистоту. (The diamond weighs 2 karats and has high purity.)

  English Translation: The diamond weighs 2 karats and has high purity.

• В ювелирном магазине они продают кольца от 14 карат. (In the jewelry store, they sell rings starting from 14 karats.)

  English Translation: In the jewelry store, they sell rings starting from 14 karats.

• Для инвестиций в золото предпочтительны слитки 24 карата. (For gold investments, 24-karat bars are preferable.)

  English Translation: For gold investments, 24-karat bars are preferable.

• Эксперт проверил, что бриллиант действительно 1 карат. (The expert verified that the diamond is indeed 1 karat.)

  English Translation: The expert verified that the diamond is indeed 1 karat. This example shows the word in a verification context.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Карат" is a masculine noun in Russian and follows the standard third-declension pattern for loanwords. It is invariable in the plural form but changes according to case in singular. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: In modern usage, "карат" is often used without inflection in technical contexts, especially when borrowed directly from English.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: проба (refers to assay or purity mark, with a slight nuance towards official stamping); каратность (emphasizes the quality of being a karat, more formal in scientific contexts)
• Antonyms: примесь (impurity, as it contrasts with purity)

Related Phrases:

• 24 карата - A phrase meaning "pure gold" or "24-karat gold"; used in contexts of high-value items or investments. (English explanation: Indicates the highest level of gold purity.)
• карат алмаза - Refers to "the karat of a diamond"; common in gemology. (English explanation: Highlights the weight and purity in jewelry appraisal.)
• золотой карат - Means "gold karat"; used in trade discussions. (English explanation: Specifies gold fineness in commercial settings.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "карат" directly corresponds to the English "karat" as a unit of measurement for gold or gemstone purity, but it's important to note that it's a masculine noun and must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case. For English speakers, be cautious with context: in Russia, it's primarily used in formal, professional settings like jewelry stores or international trade, rather than casual conversation. If multiple translations exist (e.g., "проба"), choose "карат" for direct equivalents; otherwise, use synonyms based on the specific emphasis on weight versus purity.

• Grammar tip: Always decline it according to the sentence structure, e.g., "в карате" for prepositional case.
• Context tip: In cultural or historical discussions, it may appear in phrases related to Russian imperial jewelry.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "карат" with "караты" in plural forms, incorrectly using it as if it were always plural. For example:

• Error: "Я купил два караты золота." (Incorrect: This implies "two karats" as a plural noun, but in Russian, it's better to say "два карата золота" only if emphasizing multiple items.)
• Correct: "Я купил золото в 18 каратов." (Explanation: Use the genitive case properly to indicate measurement, avoiding unnecessary pluralization.)
• Another common error is mixing it with "carat" for weight in gems, leading to misuse in sentences like "Этот алмаз весит карат" instead of the correct "Этот алмаз весит один карат." (Correct form: Specify the number for clarity.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "карат" is often associated with luxury and heritage, particularly in the context of Fabergé eggs or Soviet-era jewelry, where gold purity was a symbol of quality and status. Historically, during the Russian Empire, strict assays ensured that items met high karat standards, reflecting a cultural emphasis on authenticity and craftsmanship in precious metals.

Related Concepts:

• золото (gold)
• алмаз (diamond)
• проба (assay or purity mark)
• ювелирный (pertaining to jewelry)