Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'book'

English Word: book

Key Russian Translations:

• книга [ˈknʲiɡə] - [Formal, Singular, Used for physical or literary works]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday Russian, especially in educational and literary contexts)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

книга: [ˈknʲiɡə]

Note on книга: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'г' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers used to 'g' as in 'go'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A written or printed work consisting of pages bound together, often for reading or reference.

Translation(s) & Context:

• книга - Used in formal and everyday contexts for physical books, such as novels or textbooks. Commonly appears in literary or educational discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я читаю интересную книгу о истории России.

  I am reading an interesting book about the history of Russia.

• Эта книга лежит на столе в гостиной.

  This book is lying on the table in the living room.

• Купите новую книгу для ребенка.

  Buy a new book for the child.

• Книга была подарена мне на день рождения.

  The book was given to me as a birthday gift.

• В библиотеке много книг по науке.

  There are many books on science in the library.

Meaning 2: A set of records or accounts, as in accounting (e.g., a ledger).

Translation(s) & Context:

• книга - In business or financial contexts, used less commonly but still applicable for record-keeping, such as a bookkeeping ledger.

Usage Examples:

• Бухгалтер ведет книгу доходов и расходов.

  The accountant keeps a book of income and expenses.

• Эта книга содержит все финансовые записи компании.

  This book contains all the financial records of the company.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"книга" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular patterns for case and number changes. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: As a regular feminine noun, it does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: том (tom - used for a volume of a larger work), издание (izdaniye - edition or publication). Note: "том" is more specific to multi-volume sets, while "издание" emphasizes the published version.
• Antonyms: экран (ekran - screen, as in digital media), устный (ustnyy - oral, referring to spoken forms).

Related Phrases:

• Книга на русском языке (Book in the Russian language) - Refers to a book written or translated into Russian, commonly used in bilingual contexts.
• Читать книгу (To read a book) - A fixed phrase for the act of reading, often in educational or leisure settings.
• Новая книга (New book) - Used for recently published works, with connotations of freshness or novelty in literature.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "книга" directly corresponds to the English "book" in most contexts, but it is primarily used for physical or printed materials. In formal writing or speech, it maintains a neutral tone, though in informal settings, alternatives like "книжка" (a diminutive for a small book) might be used for endearment. When choosing between translations, opt for "книга" for standard references; be mindful of case endings in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other words. For example, in prepositional phrases, use the correct case like "в книге" (in the book).

• Grammar tip: Always decline "книга" based on its role in the sentence to ensure proper agreement.
• Context guidance: In modern Russian, "книга" can extend to e-books, but traditionally it implies physical copies.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as saying "Я имею книга" instead of the correct "Я имею книгу" (I have a book), where "книгу" is the accusative form. Error: "Читаю книга" (incorrect, as it lacks the proper instrumental or accusative form). Correct: "Читаю книгу" – Explanation: Russian verbs require nouns to be in the appropriate case; here, accusative is needed for the direct object.

• Another common mistake: Confusing with "книги" (genitive or plural) in simple sentences, e.g., saying "Это книги" when meaning "This is a book" (should be "Это книга").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "книга" holds significant historical and symbolic value, often linked to the country's literary heritage. For instance, during the Soviet era, books were seen as tools for education and propaganda, leading to a strong tradition of public libraries and reading circles. Today, phrases like "книга – лучший подарок" (a book is the best gift) reflect the cultural emphasis on literature as a means of intellectual enrichment.

Related Concepts:

• Библиотека (library)
• Чтение (reading)
• Автор (author)