Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'parcel'

English Word: parcel

Key Russian Translations:

• посылка [pɐˈsɨlkə] - [Informal, Common in everyday contexts like shipping]
• парцелла [pɐrˈt͡sɛlə] - [Formal, Used in legal or geographical contexts for a plot of land]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in daily conversations related to mail and shipping, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp basic usage, though nuances in contexts like legal terms may require B2 for full understanding. For "посылка": B1; for "парцелла": B2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

посылка: [pɐˈsɨlkə]

парцелла: [pɐrˈt͡sɛlə]

Note on посылка: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. A common variant in fast speech might soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A package or item sent by mail or delivery.

Translation(s) & Context:

• посылка - Used in informal, everyday situations for mail packages, such as online shopping or postal services.

Usage Examples:

• Я получил посылку от друга из Москвы.

  I received a parcel from my friend in Moscow.

• Посылка была повреждена во время доставки.

  The parcel was damaged during delivery.

• Она отправила посылку с подарками на Новый год.

  She sent a parcel with gifts for New Year's.

• В посылке находились книги и сладости.

  The parcel contained books and sweets.

Meaning 2: A small piece of land or plot (less common, more formal).

Translation(s) & Context:

• парцелла - Used in legal, real estate, or geographical contexts, often in official documents.

Usage Examples:

• Эта парцелла земли предназначена для строительства дома.

  This parcel of land is intended for building a house.

• Парцелла была разделена между наследниками.

  The parcel was divided among the heirs.

• Купить парцеллу в пригороде – хорошее вложение.

  Buying a parcel in the suburbs is a good investment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "посылка" (a feminine noun, 1st declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with variations by case and number. "Парцелла" (also feminine) has similar inflections but is less common and often borrowed from other languages, so it may not inflect irregularly.

For "парцелла", it inflects similarly but is invariant in some borrowed contexts: Nominative singular: парцелла; Genitive singular: парцеллы (less common, may remain unchanged in formal texts).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пакет (more general for a package, often used interchangeably with посылка in casual speech; subtle difference: пакет can be smaller or unwrapped)
  • груз (emphasizes the contents as cargo, used in shipping contexts)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "parcel" is a concrete noun; however, in land contexts, opposite might imply "whole estate" like имение (estate).

Related Phrases:

• отправить посылку (to send a parcel) - Common phrase for mailing items, often used in postal services.
• получить посылку (to receive a parcel) - Refers to the act of getting delivered items.
• посылка с треком (parcel with tracking) - Modern phrase for packages with delivery monitoring, reflecting e-commerce culture.

Usage Notes:

"Посылка" directly corresponds to the everyday English meaning of "parcel" as a mailed package, making it a straightforward translation for beginners. However, in formal or legal contexts, use "парцелла" for land-related meanings to avoid confusion. Note the grammatical gender (feminine), which affects adjectives and verbs (e.g., "большая посылка" for "big parcel"). Choose based on context: informal for daily use, formal for official documents. Always consider the prepositional case in phrases like "в посылке" (in the parcel).

Common Errors:

• Confusing "посылка" with "пакет": English learners might use "пакет" for any wrapped item, but "посылка" specifically implies something mailed. Error: Saying "Я купил пакет" for "I bought a parcel" (incorrect if mailed). Correct: "Я купил посылку в интернете" (I bought a parcel online).
• Improper inflection: Forgetting case changes, e.g., using nominative "посылка" in genitive contexts. Error: "Я жду посылка" (wrong). Correct: "Я жду посылку" (accusative for waiting for something).

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "посылка" is deeply tied to the postal system, which has historical roots in the Soviet era. Sending parcels (e.g., via Russian Post) is a common way to exchange gifts during holidays like New Year's, reflecting communal traditions. Be aware that international parcels might face customs delays, a practical aspect of Russian bureaucracy.

Related Concepts:

• почта (post office)
• доставка (delivery)
• курьер (courier)