Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'money'

English Word: money

Key Russian Translations:

• деньги [ˈdʲenʲkʲi] - [Plural, Common, Used in everyday financial contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is one of the most commonly used in Russian for discussing finances in daily life, media, and literature).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage, making it accessible for new learners of Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

деньги: [ˈdʲenʲkʲi]

Note on деньги: The pronunciation features a soft 'д' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization. The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'и' at the end is pronounced as a soft 'ee'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

General meaning: Currency, means of exchange, or wealth in financial contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• деньги - Used for general references to money in informal and formal settings, such as transactions, savings, or economic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• У меня нет денег на покупку новой машины.

  I don't have enough money to buy a new car. (This example shows the word in a plural nominative context, emphasizing financial limitations.)

• Он заработал много денег за последний год.

  He earned a lot of money last year. (Demonstrates the word in a plural genitive context, common in statements about income.)

• Деньги не растут на деревьях, так что будь осторожен с расходами.

  Money doesn't grow on trees, so be careful with your spending. (This illustrates an idiomatic use in proverbial expressions, highlighting financial prudence.)

• В банке можно обменять иностранные деньги на рубли.

  You can exchange foreign money for rubles at the bank. (Shows the word in a context involving currency exchange, which is practical for travel or international finance.)

• Инвестируйте деньги wisely, чтобы получить прибыль.

  Invest your money wisely to get a profit. (This example integrates the word into advice on financial planning, using it in an accusative case.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Деньги" is a plural-only noun in Russian (from the pluralia tantum category), meaning it does not have a singular form in standard usage. It belongs to the third declension and follows the pattern for feminine plural nouns. Below is a table outlining its inflections across cases:

Note: As a plural-only word, it does not inflect for number, which simplifies its use but requires learners to always treat it as plural in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • валюта (valyuta) - More specific to currency types, often used in formal or international contexts.
  • финансы (finansy) - Refers to finances in a broader sense, like monetary resources in business.
• Antonyms:
  • долг (dolg) - Debt, implying the opposite of available funds.
  • бедность (bednost') - Poverty, contrasting with wealth or money possession.

Related Phrases:

• Деньги на ветер (Money down the drain) - Refers to wasting money foolishly, often in contexts of poor financial decisions.
• Живые деньги (Live money or cash in hand) - Means physical cash as opposed to digital or promised funds, commonly used in everyday transactions.
• Деньги решают всё (Money solves everything) - An idiomatic phrase implying that money can overcome obstacles, with a cynical connotation in Russian culture.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "деньги" directly corresponds to the English "money" as a general term but is always used in the plural form, which might feel unusual for English speakers. It is versatile across formal and informal contexts, such as in business meetings or casual conversations. When choosing between translations, use "деньги" for everyday money matters; opt for "валюта" if discussing foreign exchange. Grammatically, always pair it with plural verbs and adjectives, e.g., "Деньги важны" (Money is important). Be mindful of prepositions that trigger specific cases, like "у меня нет денег" for possession.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "деньги" as singular, e.g., saying "Деньга важна" instead of "Деньги важны". Correct: Use plural agreements always. Explanation: Russian doesn't have a singular form, so learners often mistakenly apply English singular/plural rules, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing with "день" (day), e.g., using "день" to mean money. Correct: "День" means "day", not money; stick to "деньги". Explanation: The similarity in spelling can cause mix-ups for beginners, but context usually clarifies.

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., saying "Я имею деньги" instead of "У меня есть деньги". Correct: Use the genitive in idiomatic expressions for possession. Explanation: English speakers might directly translate "I have money" without adjusting for Russian's possessive structures.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "деньги" often carries connotations of stability and security, influenced by historical contexts like the Soviet era's state-controlled economy. Phrases like "Деньги не пахнут" (Money doesn't smell) reflect a pragmatic view on wealth, borrowed from ancient Roman philosophy, emphasizing that the source of money is less important than its utility.

Related Concepts:

• банк (bank)
• инфляция (inflation)
• доход (income)