Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'merchandise'

English Word: merchandise

Key Russian Translations:

• товар [ˈtovər] - [Neutral, commonly used in everyday commerce]
• продукция [prəˈdukt͡sijə] - [Formal, often in business or manufacturing contexts]
• изделие [ɪzˈdʲelʲije] - [Neutral, when emphasizing manufactured items]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently encountered in commercial, retail, and economic discussions in Russian media and everyday language)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary for commerce, but not advanced grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

товар: [ˈtovər]

продукция: [prəˈdukt͡sijə]

изделие: [ɪzˈdʲelʲije]

Note on товар: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'в' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Goods or products intended for sale or trade

Translation(s) & Context:

• товар - Used in general retail and commerce contexts, such as in stores or markets.
• продукция - Applied in formal or industrial settings, like manufacturing or export discussions.
• изделие - Often used for handmade or specific manufactured items, with a focus on craftsmanship.

Usage Examples:

• В магазине есть свежий товар из Франции.

  In the store, there is fresh merchandise from France.

• Эта продукция пользуется большим спросом на рынке.

  This merchandise is in high demand in the market.

• Мы экспортируем наши изделия в разные страны.

  We export our merchandise to various countries.

• Торговая сеть предлагает широкий ассортимент товаров по акции.

  The retail chain offers a wide assortment of merchandise on sale.

• Изделия из дерева – это популярный товар на ярмарках.

  Wooden merchandise is a popular item at fairs.

Meaning: Items of commerce or inventory in a business context

Translation(s) & Context:

• товар - Common in inventory management or stock discussions.
• продукция - Used in corporate reports or when referring to output from production lines.

Usage Examples:

• Склад полон различного товара перед праздниками.

  The warehouse is full of various merchandise before the holidays.

• Фабрика выпускает высококачественную продукцию для экспорта.

  The factory produces high-quality merchandise for export.

• Товары в этом магазине всегда свежие и оригинальные.

  The merchandise in this store is always fresh and original.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns. 'Товар' is a masculine noun, 'продукция' is feminine, and 'изделие' is neuter. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for 'товар' as an example; others follow similar patterns but with gender-specific changes.

For 'продукция' (feminine): It is invariable in plural for some cases but follows standard feminine patterns. E.g., Nominative singular: продукция; Genitive plural: продуктов.

For 'изделие' (neuter): Similar to 'товар' but with neuter endings, e.g., Nominative singular: изделие; Genitive singular: изделия.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • продукт (product, more general and often interchangeable with товар in casual contexts)
  • изделие (item, with a nuance of being crafted or manufactured)
  • ассортимент (assortment, when referring to a collection of goods)
• Antonyms:
  • мусор (trash, implying worthless or discarded items)
  • брак (defective goods, in a quality control context)

Related Phrases:

• Товарный знак - A trademark or brand identifier in commerce.
• Широкий ассортимент товаров - A wide range of merchandise, used in retail advertising.
• Импортные товары - Imported merchandise, common in trade discussions.
• Товары повседневного спроса - Everyday merchandise or consumer goods.

Usage Notes:

'Товар' directly corresponds to 'merchandise' in most commercial contexts but is more neutral and everyday in Russian. Use 'продукция' for formal or industrial settings to emphasize production processes. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences; for example, adjectives must agree with the noun (e.g., "хороший товар" for masculine singular). When choosing between translations, opt for 'товар' in spoken language and 'продукция' in written business reports.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'товар' in plural without proper context, e.g., saying "Я купил товары" when a singular form is needed.
  Correct: Ensure the number matches the English intent; e.g., "Я купил товар" for a single item. Explanation: Russian requires precise number agreement, unlike English's flexibility.
• Mistake: Confusing 'товар' with 'продукт' and using them interchangeably without nuance.
  Correct: 'Продукт' is broader (e.g., food products), while 'товар' implies items for sale. Explanation: This can lead to miscommunication in commercial contexts.
• Mistake: Forgetting declension, e.g., saying "в товар" instead of "в товаре".
  Correct: Use the prepositional case "в товаре" for locations. Explanation: English learners often overlook Russian case requirements, which affect prepositions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'товар' often evokes images of bustling markets like those in Moscow or traditional bazaars, reflecting Russia's historical trade routes. It can carry connotations of quality and authenticity, especially in post-Soviet contexts where imported goods symbolize status or modernity.

Related Concepts:

• рынок (market)
• торговля (trade)
• ассортимент (assortment)
• импорт (import)