Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'keyboard'

English Word: keyboard

Key Russian Translations:

• клавиатура [kləvʲɪˈaturə] - [Common, Neutral; Used in everyday technical and computing contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in modern Russian, especially in technology, computing, and daily life discussions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; As a borrowed word from English, it's straightforward for learners with basic vocabulary, but mastering its inflections requires understanding Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

клавиатура: [kləvʲɪˈaturə]

Note on клавиатура: The stress is on the third syllable ("a" in "tu"). Be cautious with the palatalized "вʲ" sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation can vary slightly in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A set of keys on a device for inputting data, such as on a computer or typewriter.

Translation(s) & Context:

• клавиатура - Typically used in computing or office contexts; neutral and formal when referring to hardware.

Usage Examples:

• Моя клавиатура сломалась, и я не могу работать за компьютером.

  My keyboard is broken, and I can't work on the computer.

• В новом ноутбуке клавиатура подсвечивается в темноте.

  In the new laptop, the keyboard is backlit in the dark.

• Клавиатура на этом старом пишущем аппарате очень шумная.

  The keyboard on this old typewriter is very noisy.

• Я предпочитаю механическую клавиатуру для игр.

  I prefer a mechanical keyboard for gaming.

Meaning 2: The set of keys on a musical instrument, such as a piano.

Translation(s) & Context:

• клавиатура - Used in musical contexts; can be more artistic or formal, often specifying "музыкальная клавиатура" for clarity.

Usage Examples:

• Пианист мастерски играл на клавиатуре рояля.

  The pianist played masterfully on the piano keyboard.

• Эта синтезаторная клавиатура имеет множество звуковых эффектов.

  This synthesizer keyboard has many sound effects.

• В уроке музыки мы изучили основы работы с клавиатурой.

  In the music lesson, we studied the basics of working with the keyboard.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Клавиатура" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • клавиши (keys; more specific to the individual keys, often used in musical contexts)
  • кнопочная панель (button panel; informal variant for computer keyboards)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "keyboard" is a physical object rather than a quality. However, in a broader sense, something like "экран" (screen) could be contrasted in computing contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Компьютерная клавиатура - Computer keyboard; Used when specifying the type in tech discussions.
• Музыкальная клавиатура - Musical keyboard; Common in artistic or educational settings.
• Клавиатура с подсветкой - Backlit keyboard; Refers to keyboards with lighting for low-light environments.
• Виртуальная клавиатура - Virtual keyboard; Often used for on-screen keyboards on mobile devices.

Usage Notes:

"Клавиатура" directly corresponds to the English "keyboard" in both computing and musical contexts, but Russian speakers may specify the type (e.g., "компьютерная" for computer-related) to avoid ambiguity. It is a neutral term suitable for formal and informal settings. When using in sentences, ensure proper declension based on the grammatical case— for example, use the genitive form "клавиатуры" after prepositions like "без" (without). For learners, choose this word over less common alternatives when the context is clear, as it's the most precise and widely understood translation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я потерял клавиатура" instead of "Я потерял клавиатуру" (incorrect accusative case).

  Correct: "Я потерял клавиатуру" – Explanation: In Russian, the accusative case for feminine nouns like this changes the ending, so always adjust based on the sentence structure to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Confusing it with "кнопка" (button), leading to phrases like "нажать кнопку" when meaning "press a key on the keyboard."

  Correct: Use "нажать клавишу на клавиатуре" – Explanation: "Кнопка" refers to a single button, while "клавиатура" encompasses the whole set, so context is key to differentiation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "клавиатура" gained prominence with the rise of personal computing in the 1990s, influenced by Western technology. It's a neutral term without strong cultural connotations, but in musical contexts, it evokes classical traditions like those of Russian composers (e.g., Tchaikovsky), where piano keyboards are central to education and performance.

Related Concepts:

• мышь (mouse; as in computer peripherals)
• монитор (monitor)
• клавиши (keys; related to individual components)