Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'memory'

English Word: memory

Key Russian Translations:

• память [ˈpamʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Singular, General use]
• воспоминание [vəspəmʲɪˈnanʲɪje] - [Informal, Plural possible, Used for personal recollections]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday conversations, literature, and psychological contexts in Russian)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and common vocabulary, but "память" is straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

память: [ˈpamʲɪtʲ]

Note on память: The soft sign (ʲ) indicates a palatalized 't', which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like a quick 'ty' blend. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

воспоминание: [vəspəmʲɪˈnanʲɪje]

Note on воспоминание: Stress on the fourth syllable; the word has a rolling rhythm, common in Russian nouns. Avoid over-emphasizing the initial vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The faculty of remembering things from the past (e.g., cognitive ability)

Translation(s) & Context:

• память - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as discussing psychology or history.
• воспоминание - Applied in personal or narrative contexts, like storytelling or memoirs.

Usage Examples:

• Моя память иногда подводит меня в старости. (My memory sometimes fails me in old age.)

  English Translation: My memory sometimes fails me in old age.

• Его воспоминания о детстве полны радости. (His memories of childhood are full of joy.)

  English Translation: His memories of childhood are full of joy.

• Память компьютера позволяет хранить огромные объемы данных. (The memory of the computer allows storing huge volumes of data.)

  English Translation: The memory of the computer allows storing huge volumes of data.

• Воспоминания о войне навсегда останутся в его сердце. (Memories of the war will remain in his heart forever.)

  English Translation: Memories of the war will remain in his heart forever.

• Развитие памяти важно для обучения языков. (Developing memory is important for language learning.)

  English Translation: Developing memory is important for language learning.

2. A specific recollection or stored information (e.g., in computing or personal history)

Translation(s) & Context:

• память - Common in technical contexts, like computer science.
• воспоминание - Used in emotional or historical narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Эта фотография оживила мои воспоминания о поездке. (This photo revived my memories of the trip.)

  English Translation: This photo revived my memories of the trip.

• Память смартфона уже заполнена приложениями. (The memory of the smartphone is already full of apps.)

  English Translation: The memory of the smartphone is already full of apps.

• Воспоминания о друзьях поддерживают меня в трудные времена. (Memories of friends support me in difficult times.)

  English Translation: Memories of friends support me in difficult times.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

память is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows standard patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

воспоминание is a neuter noun and can be pluralized. It has irregular inflections in some cases: Nominative Singular: воспоминание; Genitive Singular: воспоминания; Plural: воспоминания (which is the same as Genitive Singular, a common feature in Russian).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • памятка (a reminder or note; less formal)
  • восприятие (perception; used when memory involves sensory recall)
• Antonyms:
  • забвение (forgetfulness; implies complete loss of memory)
  • непамять (lack of memory; archaic and less common)

Related Phrases:

• Потеря памяти - Loss of memory; often used in medical contexts.
• Живое воспоминание - Vivid memory; implies a strong, emotional recollection.
• Память сердца - Memory of the heart; a poetic phrase for sentimental memories.

Usage Notes:

The English word "memory" can translate to "память" for general or abstract senses, but "воспоминание" is better for specific, narrative recollections. In Russian, "память" is often used in formal or technical settings, while "воспоминание" fits informal storytelling. Be mindful of gender agreements: "память" is feminine, so adjectives must agree (e.g., хорошая память - good memory). When choosing between translations, consider the context—opt for "память" in educational or scientific discussions and "воспоминание" in personal essays.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "память" with "воспоминание" and use them interchangeably. Error: Saying "Мое воспоминание плохо" (meaning "My memory is bad") instead of "Моя память плохая". Correct: "Моя память плохая" – because "память" is the appropriate word for general cognitive ability. Explanation: "Воспоминание" refers to specific instances, not the overall faculty.

• Misdeclining nouns, e.g., using "память" in the wrong case. Error: "Я думаю о память" (incorrect accusative). Correct: "Я думаю о памяти" (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement with prepositions, which English lacks.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "память" holds deep significance, especially in relation to historical events like World War II. Phrases like "память народа" (the memory of the people) refer to collective remembrance, often tied to national identity and memorials. This reflects Russia's emphasis on honoring the past, as seen in Victory Day celebrations.

Related Concepts:

• забудь (forget)
• восстановление (recovery, as in memory recovery)
• история (history)