Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'photocopier'

English Word: photocopier

Key Russian Translations:

• Ксерокс (/ksʲɪˈrɔks/) - [Informal, Commonly used in everyday contexts]
• Копировальный аппарат (/kəpʲɪrəˈvalʲnɨj əpəˈrat/) - [Formal, Used in technical or official settings]

Frequency: Medium - The term is encountered in office or educational environments but is not as common in casual conversation.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2) - Learners at this level should be familiar with borrowed words and basic noun inflections; the informal translation "ксерокс" is easier, while "копировальный аппарат" may require more advanced vocabulary.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ксерокс: /ksʲɪˈrɔks/ - The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'к' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.

Note on Ксерокс: This word is a borrowed term from English via French, so its pronunciation closely mimics the original. Pay attention to the 'кс' cluster, which is pronounced as in "ks" but with a soft 's'.

Audio: []

Копировальный аппарат: /kəpʲɪrəˈvalʲnɨj əpəˈrat/ - Stress on the third syllable of the first word; the word is compound, so break it down as "копировальный" (/kəpʲɪrəˈvalʲnɨj/) + "аппарат" (/əpəˈrat/).

Note on Копировальный аппарат: This is a more formal compound word; the ending "-ый" in "копировальный" indicates an adjective form, which affects pronunciation with a soft 'л'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A machine used for making copies of documents.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ксерокс - Informal context, such as in offices or everyday situations where speed and simplicity are prioritized.
• Копировальный аппарат - Formal or technical contexts, like in business reports or instructional manuals, emphasizing precision.

Usage Examples:

• Я поставил документы в ксерокс и сделал копию. (Ya postavil dokumenty v kseroks i sdelal kopiyu.)

  I put the documents in the photocopier and made a copy. (This example shows the word in a simple, everyday action.)

• В офисе сломался копировальный аппарат, и мы не смогли распечатать отчет. (V ofise slomalsya kopiroval'nyy apparat, i my ne smogli raspechatat' otchet.)

  The photocopier broke in the office, and we couldn't print the report. (This demonstrates use in a formal, problem-solving context.)

• Она быстро отсканировала страницы на ксероксе для презентации. (Ona bystro ot skanila stranitsy na kserokse dlya prezentatsii.)

  She quickly scanned the pages on the photocopier for the presentation. (This highlights multifunctional use in professional settings.)

• В библиотеке есть современный копировальный аппарат с функцией цветной печати. (V biblioteke est' sovremennyy kopiroval'nyy apparat s funktsiyey tsvetnoy pechati.)

  In the library, there's a modern photocopier with color printing function. (This example illustrates descriptive usage in public spaces.)

• Мы используем ксерокс для дублирования важных контрактов. (My ispol'zuem kseroks dlya dublirovaniya vazhnykh kontraktov.)

  We use the photocopier for duplicating important contracts. (This shows the word in a legal or business context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations are nouns. "Ксерокс" is a masculine noun and exhibits typical Russian inflection patterns for borrowed words, though it is somewhat irregular due to its foreign origin. "Копировальный аппарат" is a masculine noun phrase and follows standard rules for adjectives and nouns.

Note: "Ксерокс" has minimal changes and is invariant in some forms, making it easier for learners, while "Копировальный аппарат" requires adjective agreement.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Копир (/kəˈpʲir/) - A shorter, less common alternative, often used in technical contexts.
  • Многофункциональное устройство (/mnəgəfʊŋkʦʲɪˈənəlʲnəʊ əstrəˈjstvo/) - Emphasizes multifunctional devices, with a slight nuance toward modern equipment.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific device term. However, related opposites might include "оригинал" (/ərʲɪˈgʲɪnəl/) for the original document.

Related Phrases:

• Сделать ксерокопию (/sdʲɪˈlɑtʲ kserəˈkɔpʲɪjʊ/) - To make a photocopy; used for quick duplication in offices.
• Заправить ксерокс (/zəˈprɑvʲɪtʲ kseroks/) - To refill the photocopier (e.g., with ink or toner); common in maintenance contexts.
• Ксерокс в порядке (/kseroks v pəˈrʲɑdkʲɪ/) - The photocopier is working; a phrase for checking equipment status.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "ксерокс" is the most straightforward and idiomatic translation for "photocopier" in informal settings, derived from the brand name Xerox, similar to how it's used in English. However, for formal writing or technical descriptions, opt for "копировальный аппарат" to convey precision. Be mindful of context: in business or educational environments, these terms are neutral and not region-specific, but "ксерокс" might sound casual. When using in sentences, ensure proper noun inflections match the case, as Russian grammar requires agreement.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "фотокопир" as a direct translation, which is not standard in Russian.
  Correct: Stick to "ксерокс" or "копировальный аппарат". Explanation: "Фотокопир" is a rare or invented form; learners often over-translate from English "photo-copier", leading to confusion.
• Mistake: Forgetting inflections, e.g., saying "в ксерокс" instead of "в ксероксе" in prepositional case.
  Correct: Use "в ксероксе" for "in the photocopier". Explanation: Russian requires case endings, so English speakers might omit them, altering the sentence's grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

The term "ксерокс" reflects Russia's history of adopting Western technology terms, especially during the post-Soviet era when office equipment became widespread. It carries no strong cultural connotations but symbolizes modernization in everyday life, much like in English-speaking countries.

Related Concepts:

• Принтер (/prʲɪnʲtʲɛr/)
• Сканер (/skanʲɛr/)
• Многофункциональное устройство (/mnəgəfʊŋkʦʲɪˈənəlʲnəʊ əstrəˈjstvo/)