Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'kilogram'

English Word: kilogram

Key Russian Translations:

• килограмм [kʲɪləˈɡram] - [Formal, used in scientific, commercial, and everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (commonly used in daily life, shopping, science, and international contexts)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for English speakers familiar with metric units)

Pronunciation (Russian):

килограмм: [kʲɪləˈɡram]

Note on килограмм: The stress is on the second syllable ('gram'). Be aware of the palatalized 'k' sound, which is common in Russian but may feel unfamiliar to English speakers. Variations in regional accents might slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A unit of mass equal to 1,000 grams, used in measurement.

Translation(s) & Context:

• килограмм - Used in formal and informal contexts for weight measurement, such as in markets, recipes, or scientific discussions.

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть килограмм яблок в сумке. (U menya yest' kilogramm yablok v sumke.)

  I have a kilogram of apples in the bag. (This example shows the word in a simple possessive context for everyday shopping.)

• Этот продукт весит ровно один килограмм. (Etot produkt vesit rovno odin kilogramm.)

  This product weighs exactly one kilogram. (Demonstrates use in precise measurement, e.g., in a store or lab.)

• В рецепте указано полкилограмма муки. (V retsepte ukazano polkilogramma muki.)

  The recipe calls for half a kilogram of flour. (Illustrates fractional use in cooking or baking contexts.)

• Килограмм золота стоит дорого на рынке. (Kilogramm zolota stoit dorogo na rynke.)

  A kilogram of gold is expensive on the market. (Shows application in economic or commodity contexts.)

• Спортсмен набрал три килограмма мышечной массы. (Sportсмен nablyl tri kilogramma myshechnoy massy.)

  The athlete gained three kilograms of muscle mass. (Used in health, fitness, or medical discussions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Килограмм" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes in cases and numbers. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy for beginners to learn.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кило (kilo) - Informal abbreviation, often used in casual speech.
  • килограммовая единица (kilogrammovaya yedinitsa) - More descriptive, used in technical contexts to emphasize the unit.
• Antonyms:
  • грамм (gramm) - A smaller unit of mass.
  • тонна (tonna) - A larger unit of mass.

Related Phrases:

• килограмм фруктов (kilogramm fruktov) - A kilogram of fruits; used in shopping or dietary contexts.
• весит два килограмма (vesit dva kilogramma) - Weighs two kilograms; common in descriptions of objects or people.
• полкилограмма мяса (polkilogramma myasa) - Half a kilogram of meat; illustrates fractional measurements in recipes.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "килограмм" directly corresponds to the English "kilogram" as a standard metric unit. It is universally used in Russia due to the country's adoption of the metric system, unlike some English-speaking countries that use imperial units. Always use it in formal contexts for precision, and note that it declines according to Russian grammatical cases. When choosing between translations, "килограмм" is the most accurate and neutral; opt for "кило" only in informal speech to sound more natural. Be mindful of context: in scientific writing, pair it with adjectives for clarity, e.g., "один килограмм" for "one kilogram."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "килограмм" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я купил килограмм" in a context requiring genitive like "Я купил килограмма яблок" (I bought a kilogram of apples).

  Correct: Я купил килограмм яблок (with proper genitive for "яблок"). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to agree in case, so learners must adjust based on sentence structure to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Confusing it with "километр" (kilometer), leading to misuse in weight contexts.

  Correct: Use "килограмм" for mass, not distance. Explanation: These are distinct units; mixing them can cause comprehension issues in conversations about measurements.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, the metric system, including "килограмм," is deeply embedded in daily life due to historical adoption from the Soviet era. It reflects a broader cultural emphasis on standardization and science, contrasting with countries using pounds. This unit often appears in everyday transactions, symbolizing efficiency in a society where precise measurements are valued in cooking, trade, and industry.

Related Concepts:

• метр (meter)
• грамм (gram)
• литр (liter)