Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nine'

English Word: nine

Key Russian Translations:

• девять /ˈdʲevʲɪtʲ/ - [Neutral; Used in everyday counting and general contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in daily conversations, such as counting, time-telling, and basic arithmetic.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a fundamental number and requires basic pronunciation skills.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

девять: /ˈdʲevʲɪtʲ/

Note on девять: The pronunciation involves a soft 'д' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization. The stress is on the first syllable. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The cardinal number nine.

Translation(s) & Context:

• девять - Used in numerical contexts, such as counting objects, ages, or quantities in everyday speech or formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• У меня девять яблок. (U menya devyat' yablok.)

  I have nine apples. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence for counting possessions.)

• Ему девять лет. (Yemu devyat' let.)

  He is nine years old. (Illustrates usage with age, a common context in personal descriptions.)

• В доме девять комнат. (V dome devyat' komnat.)

  There are nine rooms in the house. (Demonstrates the word in a descriptive context for quantities.)

• Девять плюс один равно десять. (Devyat' plyus odin raven desyat'.)

  Nine plus one equals ten. (Shows usage in basic arithmetic, emphasizing numerical operations.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "девять" is a cardinal number and does not inflect for gender, case, or number in its base form, as Russian numerals from five onwards are invariable in many contexts. However, it can be used with nouns that change according to grammatical rules.

Note: Unlike lower numbers, "девять" remains unchanged, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None direct, as it is a specific numeral. However, "девятка" (devyatka) is a colloquial diminutive form used in informal contexts like card games or slang.
• Antonyms: десять (desyat') - Meaning "ten", often used in contrast for sequencing or opposition in counts.

Related Phrases:

• девять часов (devyat' chasov) - Meaning "nine o'clock", used in time-telling contexts.
• девятый этаж (devyatyi etazh) - Meaning "the ninth floor", referring to ordinal use in buildings or lists.
• ровно девять (rovno devyat') - Meaning "exactly nine", emphasizing precision in measurements or timings.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "девять" directly corresponds to the English "nine" as a cardinal number and is used similarly in sentences. However, remember that Russian nouns following numbers like "девять" must be in the genitive plural case, which can differ from English structure. For example, use it in formal and informal settings alike, but be cautious with ordinal forms (e.g., "девятый" for "ninth"). If multiple translations exist, "девять" is the standard choice for basic usage.

• Always pair it with the appropriate noun case to avoid grammatical errors.
• In spoken language, pronunciation clarity is key, especially the soft consonants.

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is confusing "девять" with similar-sounding numbers like "восемь" (eight) due to pronunciation similarities. Incorrect: "У меня восемъ яблок" (a misspelling or mispronunciation). Correct: "У меня девять яблок". This error often stems from not mastering palatalized sounds, so practice with audio and focus on the 'дʲ' sound to differentiate it.

• Error: Using "девятка" in formal contexts where "девять" is expected. Correct: Stick to "девять" for standard counting to maintain neutrality.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the number nine appears in folklore and traditions, such as in fairy tales where it symbolizes completeness or magic (e.g., "The Tale of Tsar Saltan" references sequences of nine). While not as prominent as in some other cultures, it can evoke a sense of tradition in storytelling or historical contexts.

Related Concepts:

• восемь (vosem') - Eight
• десять (desyat') - Ten
• девятый (devyatyi) - Ninth (ordinal form)