Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'poker'

English Word: poker

Key Russian Translations:

• покер [ˈpokʲer] - [Informal, Borrowed from English, Used in everyday contexts related to games]

Frequency: Medium (Common among younger demographics and in urban settings, especially in discussions about leisure activities or online gaming, but not as ubiquitous as native Russian words).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level on CEFR scale; straightforward for learners familiar with loanwords, but requires attention to Russian pronunciation and declension rules).

Pronunciation (Russian):

покер: [ˈpokʲer]

Note on покер: The stress is on the first syllable, with a palatalized 'k' sound (as in 'key' in English). Be cautious with the 'e' sound, which is more like the 'ye' in "yes" in Russian. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard pronunciation is consistent.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The card game (Referring to the popular gambling game involving cards and betting)

Translation(s) & Context:

• покер - Used in informal or casual contexts, such as conversations about entertainment, casinos, or online platforms; suitable for modern Russian speech.

Usage Examples:

• Мы часто играем в покер с друзьями по выходным.

  We often play poker with friends on weekends.

• В казино есть столы для покера, где ставки могут быть высокими.

  In the casino, there are tables for poker where bets can be high.

• Он научился покеру через онлайн-игры и теперь профессионал.

  He learned poker through online games and is now a professional.

• Покер требует не только удачи, но и стратегии.

  Poker requires not only luck but also strategy.

• В России покер стал популярным после появления телевизионных турниров.

  In Russia, poker became popular after the emergence of television tournaments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Покер" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian, borrowed from English. It follows standard noun inflection patterns but has no irregular forms. Below is a table outlining its basic declensions:

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to multiple games or variants. It is a regular noun with no significant irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: азартная игра (a general term for gambling games), карточная игра (card game) - Note: These are broader terms and may not specifically denote poker but are often used interchangeably in casual contexts.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "покер" is a specific game; however, non-gambling activities like шахматы (chess) could be contrasted in recreational contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Игра в покер - Playing poker; a common phrase for describing participation in the game.
• Покерный турнир - Poker tournament; used for organized events, often with an implication of competition.
• Онлайн-покер - Online poker; refers to digital versions, popular in modern Russian internet culture.

Usage Notes:

"Покер" directly corresponds to the English "poker" as a loanword, making it easy for English speakers to recognize, but it's primarily used in informal settings like social gatherings or gaming discussions. Be mindful of its masculine gender in Russian sentences, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "интересный покер" for "interesting poker"). In formal writing, native alternatives like "азартная карточная игра" might be preferred, but "покер" is standard in everyday speech. When choosing between translations, use "покер" for precision in gaming contexts.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Incorrect pronunciation, such as saying [ˈpo.kər] with an English accent instead of the Russian [ˈpokʲer].
  Correct: Practice the palatalized 'k' sound.
  Example of error: Говорить "покер" как в английском.
  Correct example: Правильно произносить [ˈpokʲer] в предложении.
• Mistake: Forgetting declension, e.g., using "покер" in the wrong case like "я люблю покер" when it should be "я люблю покер" (it's already correct here, but errors occur in complex sentences).
  Correct: Ensure proper case agreement, such as "в покере" for "in poker".
  Example of error: "Играть покер" (missing instrumental case).
  Correct example: "Играть в покер".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "покер" has gained popularity since the early 2000s, influenced by international tournaments and online platforms. It symbolizes strategic thinking and risk-taking, often associated with Western entertainment, but it's now integrated into Russian leisure activities. However, due to gambling regulations in Russia, it's sometimes viewed with caution, reflecting broader cultural attitudes toward luck and fortune in Slavic traditions.

Related Concepts:

• карты (cards)
• азартные игры (gambling games)
• казино (casino)