Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'notebook'

English Word: notebook

Key Russian Translations:

• тетрадь [tʲɪˈtradʲ] - [Informal, Feminine noun, Used in everyday educational contexts]
• ноутбук [nɐˈutbuk] - [Formal, Masculine noun, Used in technical or modern contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in daily life, such as in education or technology discussions)

Difficulty: A2 for 'тетрадь' (basic learners can grasp it quickly), B1 for 'ноутбук' (intermediate due to loanword pronunciation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тетрадь: [tʲɪˈtradʲ]

Note on тетрадь: The stress falls on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 't' sound, which is common in Russian feminine nouns.

Audio: []

ноутбук: [nɐˈutbuk]

Note on ноутбук: This is a borrowed word from English, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward, but ensure the 'u' sound is short and unstressed.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A book or pad used for writing notes, often in educational or personal contexts (e.g., a school notebook)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тетрадь - Typically used in informal, everyday settings like school or journaling; implies a physical, paper-based notebook.

Usage Examples:

• Я всегда ношу с собой тетрадь для записей. (Ya vsegda noshu s soboy tetrad' dlya zapisey.)

  I always carry a notebook with me for notes.

• В школе нам раздали новые тетради. (V shkole nam razdali novyye tetradi.)

  At school, they handed out new notebooks to us.

• Эта тетрадь полна идей для проекта. (Eta tetrad' polna idey dlya proyekta.)

  This notebook is full of ideas for the project.

• Купи мне большую тетрадь в клетку. (Kupi mne bol'shuyu tetrad' v kletku.)

  Buy me a large notebook with graph paper.

Meaning 2: A portable computer, such as a laptop (e.g., a digital notebook)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ноутбук - Used in formal or technological contexts; refers to electronic devices and is common in professional or modern Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Мой ноутбук сломался, и я не могу работать. (Moy notebook slomalsya, i ya ne mogu rabotat'.)

  My notebook broke, and I can't work.

• Она использует ноутбук для онлайн-уроков. (Ona ispol'zuyet notebook dlya onlayn-urokov.)

  She uses her notebook for online classes.

• Купить новый ноутбук — это хорошая инвестиция. (Kupit' novyy notebook — eto khoroshaya investitsiya.)

  Buying a new notebook is a good investment.

• Ноутбук с сенсорным экраном очень удобный. (Notebook s sensornym ekranom ochen' udobnyy.)

  A notebook with a touchscreen is very convenient.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'тетрадь' (a feminine noun, first declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It changes based on case and number:

For 'ноутбук' (a masculine noun, second declension), it is relatively invariable in informal use but follows basic patterns:

Note: Both words do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for тетрадь: записная книжка (more literary, implies a bound notebook) or блокнот (informal for a notepad)
• Synonyms for ноутбук: лэптоп (another loanword, interchangeable in tech contexts)
• Antonyms: N/A (as these are nouns without direct opposites)

Related Phrases:

• Школьная тетрадь - A school notebook; used in educational settings to refer to standard student supplies.
• Портативный ноутбук - A portable notebook; emphasizes mobility in technology contexts.
• Тетрадь для записей - A notebook for notes; a common phrase for personal organization tools.

Usage Notes:

Choose 'тетрадь' for physical, paper-based notebooks, especially in informal or educational scenarios, as it aligns closely with traditional English 'notebook'. 'Ноутбук' is best for digital devices and is a direct borrowing, so it's more neutral in formality. Be aware of context: in Russian, nouns must agree in case, gender, and number with other words in the sentence. For example, use the genitive case for possession, like 'моя тетрадь' (my notebook). If the English 'notebook' refers to a computer, always opt for 'ноутбук' to avoid confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'тетрадь' to mean a laptop, which might lead to saying "Мой тетрадь сломался" instead of "Мой ноутбук сломался". Correct: 'Тетрадь' only refers to paper notebooks, not electronics. Explanation: This confusion arises from the English word's dual meanings; always check the context to select the appropriate Russian term.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "в тетрад" instead of "в тетради" (in the notebook). Correct: Use the prepositional case "тетради". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must practice declensions to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'тетрадь' holds nostalgic value, often associated with Soviet-era education where standardized notebooks were a staple in schools. It symbolizes learning and organization. 'Ноутбук', as a modern import, reflects Russia's integration with global technology, commonly seen in urban professional life.

Related Concepts:

• ручка (pen)
• карандаш (pencil)
• компьютер (computer)