Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'library'

English Word: library

Key Russian Translations:

• библиотека [bʲɪblʲɪˈotʲekə] - [Formal, Informal; Used for a building or collection of books]
• библиотека (программная) [bʲɪblʲɪˈotʲekə (prəˈɡramnəjə)] - [Formal; Used in technical or computing contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in educational or cultural discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "дом" for house)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and gender, but straightforward for learners with basic grammar knowledge. For the software variant, it may reach B2 due to technical usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

библиотека: [bʲɪblʲɪˈotʲekə]

Note on библиотека: The stress falls on the third syllable ("o"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants (e.g., 'bʲ' sounds like a softened 'b'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A collection of books, periodicals, and other materials kept for reading, study, or reference (e.g., a public or private library).

Translation(s) & Context:

• библиотека - Used in both formal and informal contexts for physical libraries, such as public institutions or home collections. In a metaphorical sense, it can refer to a repository of knowledge.
• библиотека (программная) - Used in technical contexts for software libraries, such as code repositories, emphasizing digital storage.

Usage Examples:

• Я часто посещаю библиотеку, чтобы взять новые книги. (Ya chasto poseshchayu biblioteku, chtoby vzyat' novyye knigi.)

  I often visit the library to borrow new books. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case in a simple declarative sentence.)

• В нашей школе есть большая библиотека с редкими изданиями. (V nashey shkole yest' bol'shaya biblioteka s redkimi izdaniyami.)

  Our school has a large library with rare editions. (Illustrates the noun with adjectives and in a possessive context.)

• Программисты используют стандартную библиотеку для ускорения разработки. (Programmisty ispol'zuyut standartnuyu biblioteku dlya uskoreniya razrabotki.)

  Programmers use the standard library to speed up development. (Demonstrates the technical usage in a professional setting.)

• Библиотека была закрыта из-за ремонта, так что я не смог взять книгу. (Biblioteka byla zakryta iz-za remonta, tak chto ya ne smog vzyat' knigu.)

  The library was closed due to renovations, so I couldn't borrow a book. (Shows the noun in a past tense sentence with reasons.)

• Моя личная библиотека включает классику русской литературы. (Moya lichnaya biblioteka vklyuchayet klassiku russkoy literatury.)

  My personal library includes classics of Russian literature. (Highlights ownership and cultural specificity.)

Another meaning: A collection of pre-written code or functions in programming (software library).

Translation(s) & Context:

• библиотека (программная) - Primarily used in IT and software development contexts, often in formal or professional language.

Usage Examples:

• В Python библиотека стандартных модулей очень полезна. (V Python biblioteka standartnykh modul'yey ochen' polezna.)

  In Python, the standard library of modules is very useful. (Example in a technical discussion.)

• Разработчики импортируют библиотеку для обработки данных. (Razrabotchiki importiruyut biblioteku dlya obrabotki dannykh.)

  Developers import the library for data processing. (Shows verb integration in a sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Библиотека" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its inflections:

For the variant "библиотека (программная)", it inflects similarly as it's the same root word. No irregular forms; it is a regular feminine noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: книгохранилище (less common, more formal for an archive), фонд (used for a collection or fund, e.g., in libraries)
• Antonyms: пустота (emptiness, metaphorical opposite for a lack of resources)

Related Phrases:

• Общественная библиотека (Obshchestvennaya biblioteka) - Public library; Refers to a community-accessible collection of books.
• Школьная библиотека (Shkol'naya biblioteka) - School library; Common in educational settings.
• Цифровая библиотека (Tsifrovaya biblioteka) - Digital library; Implies online or electronic resources, increasingly relevant in modern contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "библиотека" directly corresponds to the English "library" in most contexts, but always pay attention to case endings for grammatical accuracy. For example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "в" (in). In formal writing, prefer "библиотека" over slang alternatives. When choosing between translations, use "библиотека (программная)" only in technical discussions to avoid confusion. It's neutral in terms of register but can vary by context, such as educational or professional.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "в библиотека" instead of "в библиотеке". Correct: "в библиотеке" (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement with prepositions; this mistake often stems from English word order habits.
• Error: Confusing with "библиотека" in programming; learners might overuse it for any collection. Correct: Specify as "программная библиотека" for software. Explanation: Context is key to avoid ambiguity in technical vs. physical meanings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, libraries like the Russian State Library in Moscow hold immense historical significance, symbolizing intellectual heritage and the legacy of figures like Pushkin. The word "библиотека" often evokes ideas of literary tradition and public education, reflecting Russia's emphasis on reading and knowledge preservation during the Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• книга (book)
• читальня (reading room)
• архив (archive)