Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'postcard'

English Word: postcard

Key Russian Translations:

• открытка /ɐtˈkrɨtkə/ - [Informal, Common usage; refers to a standard postcard for personal or casual communication]
• почтовая карточка /ˈpoʂtəvəjə kɐrˈtoʧkə/ - [Formal, Official contexts; more bureaucratic or precise term, often used in postal services]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday communication, travel, or correspondence, but not as frequent as basic words like "дом" (house))

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner; straightforward noun with basic declensions, suitable for early learners, but requires understanding of Russian cases for "открытка")

Pronunciation (Russian):

открытка: /ɐtˈkrɨtkə/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the palatalized 't' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

почтовая карточка: /ˈpoʂtəvəjə kɐrˈtoʧkə/ (Emphasize the 'sh' sound in 'poʂtəvəjə'; the word has a rolling 'r' and soft endings typical of Russian adjectives and nouns.)

Note on открытка: Be cautious with the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables, as /ɐ/ is a central vowel not directly equivalent in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A card sent through the mail, often with a picture, used for short messages or greetings.

Translation(s) & Context:

• открытка - Used in informal, everyday contexts like sending holiday greetings or travel updates.
• почтовая карточка - Applied in formal or official settings, such as postal regulations or business correspondence.

Usage Examples:

• Я получил красивую открытку из Парижа от своей подруги. (I received a beautiful postcard from Paris from my girlfriend.)

  English Translation: I received a beautiful postcard from Paris from my girlfriend. (This example shows the noun in nominative case in a simple declarative sentence.)

• Она всегда отправляет открытки друзьям на Рождество. (She always sends postcards to friends at Christmas.)

  English Translation: She always sends postcards to friends at Christmas. (Illustrates the accusative case in a habitual action context.)

• В музее продают почтовые карточки с репродукциями картин. (The museum sells postcards with reproductions of paintings.)

  English Translation: The museum sells postcards with reproductions of paintings. (Demonstrates plural form and genitive case in a commercial setting.)

• Моя бабушка коллекционирует старые открытки из разных стран. (My grandmother collects old postcards from different countries.)

  English Translation: My grandmother collects old postcards from different countries. (Shows the noun in accusative plural, emphasizing hobbies.)

• Пожалуйста, напишите адрес на почтовой карточке правильно. (Please write the address on the postcard correctly.)

  English Translation: Please write the address on the postcard correctly. (Highlights prepositional case in an instructional context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "открытка" and "почтовая карточка" are feminine nouns. "Открытка" is a third-declension noun with regular patterns, while "почтовая карточка" includes an adjective ("почтовая") that agrees with the noun. Below is a table for the declension of "открытка" as a representative example:

For "почтовая карточка", the adjective "почтовая" changes to agree: e.g., Genitive Singular: почтовой карточки. These follow standard Russian declension rules without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • посткарта (postkarta) - A more modern, borrowed term, often used in urban or digital contexts.
  • иллюстрированная карточка (illustrated card) - Descriptive synonym, emphasizing visual elements.
• Antonyms:
  • письмо (letter) - Differs as it implies a more detailed, enclosed message rather than a brief card.

Related Phrases:

• Отправить открытку (To send a postcard) - A common phrase for mailing greetings, often during holidays.
• Собрать коллекцию открыток (To collect a set of postcards) - Refers to hobbyist activities, like philately for cards.
• Открытка с видом города (Postcard with a city view) - Used for tourist souvenirs, highlighting scenic depictions.

Usage Notes:

"Открытка" is the most direct and idiomatic translation for "postcard" in casual Russian speech, while "почтовая карточка" is reserved for formal or official contexts. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like these require case agreement, so always adjust based on sentence structure (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for "открытка" in everyday scenarios and "почтовая карточка" in bureaucratic settings like post offices. Additionally, postcards in Russian culture often carry emotional or nostalgic value, so they may appear in literary or sentimental contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "открытка" in formal documents, such as postal forms, where "почтовая карточка" is expected. Correct: Instead of saying "Я хочу купить открытку" in a post office, say "Я хочу купить почтовую карточку" to match the formal register. Explanation: This confusion arises from overgeneralizing informal terms, leading to misunderstandings in professional environments.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "Я видел открытка" instead of "Я видел открытку" (accusative case). Correct: Always decline properly, as in "Я видел открытку". Explanation: English learners often forget Russian's case system, which can make sentences grammatically incorrect and hard to understand.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, postcards ("открытки") have a rich history, often associated with Soviet-era nostalgia or as tokens from travels. They are commonly exchanged during holidays like New Year's or Victory Day, symbolizing personal connections and shared memories, which adds an emotional layer beyond their functional use.

Related Concepts:

• конверт (envelope)
• марка (stamp)
• письмо (letter)