Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lira'

English Word: lira

Key Russian Translations:

• лира [ˈlʲirə] - [Formal, Used in financial or historical contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in historical, economic, or travel-related discussions.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner) - As a borrowed word, it is straightforward for English speakers to learn and pronounce, but understanding its specific cultural and historical context may require intermediate knowledge.

Pronunciation (Russian):

лира: [ˈlʲirə]

Note on лира: The initial "л" is a soft "l" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it like "lee" in "leaf" followed by "ra." Stress is on the first syllable.

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Meanings and Usage:

Currency unit (Referring to historical currencies like the Italian lira)

Translation(s) & Context:

• лира - Used specifically for the Italian lira or similar currencies in historical or economic contexts, often in formal writing or discussions about finance.

Usage Examples:

• В 19 веке итальянская лира была основной валютой Италии.

  In the 19th century, the Italian lira was the main currency of Italy.

• Я нашел старые монеты в лирах на блошином рынке.

  I found old coins in lira at the flea market.

• Обмен валюты: евро на лиры был выгодным в то время.

  Currency exchange: euros for lira was advantageous at that time.

• В музее выставлены коллекции лир из разных эпох.

  In the museum, collections of lira from different eras are displayed.

• Туристы часто интересуются курсом лиры по отношению к доллару.

  Tourists often inquire about the exchange rate of the lira against the dollar.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The Russian word "лира" is a feminine noun of the first declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for number (singular and plural) and case. There are no irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • валюта (valyuta) - A general term for currency, often used interchangeably in broader contexts but less specific.
  • денежная единица (denyezhная yedinitsa) - Means "monetary unit," implying a similar concept but more formal.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "лира" is a specific currency term and does not have direct antonyms. In financial contexts, opposites might involve other currencies, but none are direct.

Related Phrases:

• итальянская лира - Italian lira; Used when specifying the currency of Italy historically.
• обменять на лиры - To exchange for lira; Common in contexts of currency conversion or travel.
• старинные лиры - Old lira coins; Refers to collectible or historical items.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лира" directly corresponds to the English "lira" as a currency unit, particularly the Italian lira, but it is not used for modern currencies like the Turkish lira (which is "турецкая лира"). It is typically formal and appears in historical, economic, or numismatic discussions. English speakers should note that Russian requires proper declension based on case, so always adjust for context (e.g., "лиру" in accusative for direct objects). When multiple translations exist for similar English terms, choose "лира" for Italian-specific contexts to maintain accuracy.

• Avoid using it in casual conversation; it's more suited for written or educational settings.
• If discussing modern equivalents, pair it with phrases like "итальянская лира" to clarify.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "лира" with other currency terms like "рубль" (ruble) or misuse its declensions. For example:

• Error: Saying "Я имею лира" (incorrect declension).
  Correct: "Я имею лиру" (in accusative case for the object).
  Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case; "лира" in nominative becomes "лиру" when it's the direct object, helping to indicate grammatical relationships clearly.
• Error: Using "лира" to mean any lira, like the Turkish one, without specification.
  Correct: Specify as "турецкая лира" for Turkish contexts.
  Explanation: "Лира" defaults to the Italian lira in Russian usage, so lack of specification can lead to misunderstandings in international discussions.

Cultural Notes:

The term "лира" in Russian often evokes historical associations with Italy's lira, which was the currency from the 19th century until the adoption of the euro in 2002. It symbolizes Italy's economic history and is sometimes referenced in cultural contexts, such as literature or films about World War II or post-war Europe, highlighting themes of economic stability and change in European history.

Related Concepts:

• рубль (ruble) - The Russian currency.
• евро (euro) - The modern European currency that replaced the lira.
• доллар (dollar) - A common international currency for comparison.