Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'book'

English Word: book

Key Russian Translations:

• книга [ˈknʲigə] - [Formal, Noun]

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

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

книга: [ˈknʲigə]

Note on книга: The 'г' is pronounced as a soft, palatalized 'g' sound, which is common in Russian nouns. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A physical object consisting of pages bound together for reading or writing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• книга - Used in general contexts for physical books, such as in libraries or personal reading; common in both formal and informal settings.

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 моей комнате.

  This book is lying on the table in my room.

• Мы купили новую книгу для ребёнка.

  We bought 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 на разные темы.

  There are many books on various topics in the library.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Книга is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has specific endings based on number and case. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • том (tom) - Refers to a volume or large book, often used for multi-part works; slightly more formal.
  • издание (izdaniye) - Emphasizes a published edition, commonly in literary or academic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • журнал (zhurnal) - Magazine or journal; implies a periodical rather than a standalone book.

Related Phrases:

• библиотека книг (biblioteka knig) - Library of books; refers to a collection of books in a library setting.
• читать книгу (chitat' knigu) - To read a book; a common phrase for engaging with literature.
• новая книга (novaya kniga) - New book; used when discussing recent publications or acquisitions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "книга" directly corresponds to the English "book" in its most common sense as a physical object, but it can also imply literary works. It is neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both spoken and written language. When choosing between translations, opt for "книга" for general purposes; however, if referring to a specific edition, "издание" might be more precise. Grammatically, always consider the gender (feminine) for adjective agreements, e.g., "интересная книга" (interesting book). In informal contexts, Russians often use it in everyday conversations about reading or education.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я имею книга" instead of "Я имею книгу" (I have a book). Correct: The accusative case "книгу" is needed after verbs like "иметь" (to have). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must identify the governing verb or preposition.

• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., "большой книга" instead of "большая книга" (big book). Correct: Use "большая" to match the feminine gender. Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, books like "книга" hold significant historical and educational value, dating back to the Golden Age of Russian literature with authors like Pushkin and Tolstoy. Reading books is often seen as a national pastime, with public libraries being central community hubs. This reflects Russia's emphasis on intellectual pursuits and heritage, where owning or gifting books symbolizes knowledge and tradition.

Related Concepts:

• библиотека (biblioteka)
• литература (literatura)
• читатель (chitatel')