Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'medal'

English Word: medal

Key Russian Translations:

• медаль (/mʲɪˈdalʲ/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in contexts of awards and honors]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like sports, military, and formal ceremonies, but not everyday conversation).

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; straightforward noun with basic declensions, suitable for beginners learning Russian nouns).

Pronunciation (Russian):

медаль: /mʲɪˈdalʲ/

Note on медаль: The initial 'м' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'm' as in 'million'. Stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An object given as an award for achievement, often in sports, military, or academic contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• медаль - Used in formal or official settings to denote a physical award, such as an Olympic medal. Context: Awards ceremonies or historical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он выиграл золотую медаль на Олимпиаде. (On vyigral zolotuyu medal' na Olimpiade.)

  He won a gold medal at the Olympics.

• Эта медаль была вручена за героизм во время войны. (Eta medal' byla vruchena za geroizm vo vremya voyny.)

  This medal was awarded for heroism during the war.

• В музее выставлена коллекция медалей советских космонавтов. (V muzee vystavlena kollektsiya medалей sovetskih kosmonavtov.)

  In the museum, there is a collection of medals from Soviet cosmonauts.

• Медаль из серебра выглядит очень элегантно. (Medal' iz serebra vyglyadit ochen' elegantno.)

  The silver medal looks very elegant.

• Дети получают медали за участие в школьных соревнованиях. (Deti poluchayut medali za uchastie v shkol'nyh sorevnovaniyah.)

  Children receive medals for participating in school competitions.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, something that symbolizes honor or achievement (less common in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• медаль - Used metaphorically in literary or poetic contexts, though rare; often implies prestige. Context: Symbolic or artistic expressions.

Usage Examples:

• Его карьера — это медаль за годы упорного труда. (Yego kar'yera — eto medal' za gody upornogo truda.)

  His career is a medal for years of hard work.

• Медаль дружбы — символ наших отношений. (Medal' druzhby — simvol nashih otnosheniy.)

  The medal of friendship is a symbol of our relationships.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Медаль is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ь. Below is a table of its inflections:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: награда (/nəˈɡra.də/) - A general term for any award or prize; often interchangeable in formal contexts.
• орден (/ɐrˈdʲen/) - Specifically for orders or high honors, with a more military connotation; differs from медаль by implying a higher status.
• Antonyms: поражение (/pəraˈʐenʲje/) - Defeat or failure, contrasting the positive connotation of an award.

Related Phrases:

• Золотая медаль - A gold medal; used in competitive contexts, e.g., in sports. (Implies the highest level of achievement.)
• Медаль за заслуги - Medal for merit; common in military or professional awards. (Denotes recognition for service or contributions.)
• Носить медаль - To wear a medal; refers to displaying honors, often in formal events. (Cultural practice in Russia for veterans or athletes.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "медаль" directly corresponds to the English "medal" as a physical object but is more commonly used in formal or historical contexts. Be mindful of gender agreement: as a feminine noun, adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "золотая медаль" for "golden medal"). It's neutral in tone but leans formal; avoid in casual speech. When choosing between translations like "медаль" and "орден", opt for "медаль" for non-military awards and "орден" for state honors.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел медаль" when it should be "Я видел медаль" in accusative, but confusing with genitive in phrases like "медали героя" (correct as genitive for possession). Correct: Ensure proper declension based on sentence structure. Explanation: Russian cases are crucial; English speakers often overlook them, leading to grammatical errors.
• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized 'м' as a hard 'm'. Correct: Practice /mʲɪˈdalʲ/ to soften the initial sound. Explanation: This is a common issue for non-Slavic language speakers, affecting comprehensibility.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, medals like the "Медаль за Отвагу" (Medal for Courage) hold significant historical value, especially from the Soviet era and World War II. They symbolize national pride and are often displayed during holidays like Victory Day, reflecting Russia's emphasis on military history and collective achievements.

Related Concepts:

• награда
• орден
• трофей