Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'novel'

English Word: novel

Key Russian Translations:

• роман [rɐˈman] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "book").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and literary contexts; suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

роман: [rɐˈman] (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'р' is a rolled 'r' sound, common in Russian.)

Note on роман: Be mindful of the soft 'а' sound, which can vary slightly in fast speech. Pronunciation may differ in dialects, but standard Russian uses this IPA.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A long fictional narrative or story, often in book form.

Translation(s) & Context:

• роман - Used in formal literary, educational, or casual reading contexts, such as discussing books or genres.

Usage Examples:

• Я сейчас читаю захватывающий роман о приключениях в Сибири.

  I am currently reading an exciting novel about adventures in Siberia.

• Её любимый жанр — это классический роман XIX века.

  Her favorite genre is the classic novel from the 19th century.

• Этот роман был адаптирован для экрана и стал хитом.

  This novel was adapted for the screen and became a hit.

• В библиотеке я взял новый роман известного автора.

  At the library, I picked up a new novel by a famous author.

• Роман, который я рекомендую, полон глубоких философских идей.

  The novel I recommend is full of deep philosophical ideas.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Роман" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no irregularities. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not change in gender or have verbal inflections, as it is a noun. Always use appropriate articles or prepositions based on context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • повесть (povest') - A shorter narrative, similar to a novella; often used for works that are not as lengthy as a full novel.
  • произведение (proizvedeniye) - A general term for a literary work; less specific but interchangeable in broader contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • стихотворение (stikhotvoreniye) - Poetry; contrasts with prose-based novels.
  • документ (dokument) - Non-fiction or factual writing; opposite in terms of fictional content.

Related Phrases:

• любовный роман - A romance novel; used for stories focused on love and relationships.
• детективный роман - A detective novel; common in mystery genres.
• классический роман - A classic novel; refers to timeless literary works.

Usage Notes:

"Роман" directly corresponds to the English "novel" in literary contexts, but English speakers should note that Russian often emphasizes the genre or style (e.g., "любовный роман" for romance). It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal (e.g., academic discussions) and informal settings (e.g., casual book recommendations). Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence case, as Russian nouns change form. When choosing between translations, use "роман" for full-length fictional works and "повесть" for shorter ones to avoid confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "роман" interchangeably with "книга" (book), leading to incorrect specificity. For example, a learner might say "Эта книга — роман" when "книга" alone suffices for any book.

  Correct: "Эта книга — роман о войне" (This book is a novel about war). Explanation: "Роман" implies a fictional narrative, so pair it with context to avoid redundancy.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "Я читаю роман" in a genitive context where it should be "романа".

  Correct: "Я думаю о романе" (I am thinking about the novel). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English lacks, so practice declensions to prevent this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "роман" holds significant historical and literary importance, often linked to classics like those by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky. Novels in Russia frequently explore deep philosophical, social, and emotional themes, reflecting the country's rich literary tradition. For English users, understanding this can enhance appreciation of Russian literature, where novels are not just entertainment but a window into national identity and history.

Related Concepts:

• рассказ (short story)
• повесть (novella)
• литература (literature)