Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'purchase'

English Word: purchase

Key Russian Translations:

• покупка [pɐˈkupkə] - [Noun, Formal, Singular]
• покупать [pɐkuˈpatʲ] - [Verb, Imperfective, Informal]
• купить [kuˈpʲitʲ] - [Verb, Perfective, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, shopping contexts, and business discussions; used regularly in modern Russian media and commerce).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of basic verb aspects for 'покупать' and 'купить', while 'покупка' as a noun is easier at A2 level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

покупка: [pɐˈkupkə]

покупать: [pɐkuˈpatʲ] (Note on покупать: The stress is on the second syllable; be cautious with the soft 'tʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers due to its palatalization.)

купить: [kuˈpʲitʲ] (Note on купить: Stress on the first syllable; the 'pʲ' is softly pronounced, similar to a quick 'py' sound.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of buying something (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• покупка - Used in formal or commercial contexts, such as describing a transaction in a store or online.

Usage Examples:

• Я сделала покупку в магазине вчера. (I made a purchase at the store yesterday.)

  Translation: I made a purchase at the store yesterday. (This example shows the noun in a simple past context, emphasizing a completed action.)

• Его покупка нового автомобиля обошлась в 2 миллиона рублей. (His purchase of a new car cost 2 million rubles.)

  Translation: His purchase of a new car cost 2 million rubles. (Illustrates the noun with possessive structure and monetary details.)

• Покупка продуктов онлайн становится всё популярнее. (Online purchase of groceries is becoming more popular.)

  Translation: Online purchase of groceries is becoming more popular. (Demonstrates the noun in a modern, technological context.)

• Эта покупка была ошибкой. (This purchase was a mistake.)

  Translation: This purchase was a mistake. (Shows emotional or regretful usage.)

Meaning 2: To buy something (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• покупать - Used for ongoing or repeated actions, in informal daily life contexts.
• купить - Used for completed actions, often in informal settings like quick transactions.

Usage Examples:

• Я покупаю фрукты на рынке каждое утро. (I purchase fruits at the market every morning.)

  Translation: I purchase fruits at the market every morning. (This highlights the imperfective aspect for habitual actions.)

• Она купила билет в театр заранее. (She purchased a ticket to the theater in advance.)

  Translation: She purchased a ticket to the theater in advance. (Perfective aspect for a one-time, completed action.)

• Мы покупаем одежду онлайн, чтобы сэкономить время. (We purchase clothes online to save time.)

  Translation: We purchase clothes online to save time. (Shows imperfective in a general statement.)

• Он купил подарок для друга в последнюю минуту. (He purchased a gift for his friend at the last minute.)

  Translation: He purchased a gift for his friend at the last minute. (Perfective for urgent, finished actions.)

• Дети покупают мороженое, когда жарко. (Children purchase ice cream when it's hot.)

  Translation: Children purchase ice cream when it's hot. (Imperfective for conditional or repeated scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'покупка' (feminine noun, first declension):

For 'покупать' (imperfective verb, first conjugation):

• Present: покупаю, покупаешь, покупает, покупаем, покупаете, покупают
• Past: покупал, покупала, покупало (varies by gender)
• Future: буду покупать

For 'купить' (perfective verb, first conjugation, irregular in aspect):

• Past: купил, купила, купило
• Future: куплю, купишь, etc.

These verbs follow standard conjugation patterns but note the aspectual differences, which do not change forms but affect usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • приобретение (priobretenie) - More formal, implies acquisition with value.
  • закупка (zakupka) - Specific to bulk or business purchases.
• Antonyms:
  • продажа (prodazha) - Sale or selling.
  • возврат (vozvrat) - Return or refund.

Related Phrases:

• Сделать покупку (sdelat' pokupku) - To make a purchase; used for completing a transaction.
• Онлайн-покупка (onlayn-pokupka) - Online purchase; common in e-commerce contexts.
• Покупка в кредит (pokupka v kredit) - Purchase on credit; implies buying with installment payments.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, choose between 'покупать' (imperfective for ongoing actions) and 'купить' (perfective for completed ones) based on context, similar to English progressive vs. simple tenses. 'Покупка' as a noun is neutral and widely used in formal writing. Be mindful of case agreements; for example, in genitive phrases like 'покупка дома' (purchase of a house). Avoid direct word-for-word translation; Russian often requires prepositions or specific verb aspects that English lacks.

• When discussing habitual buying, use 'покупать'.
• In commercial or legal contexts, 'приобретение' might be preferred over 'покупка' for a more sophisticated tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'покупать' for a one-time action, e.g., "Я покупать книгу" instead of "Я купил книгу".
  Correct: "Я купил книгу" (I bought the book). Explanation: English speakers often overlook aspect; 'покупать' implies ongoing, while 'купить' is for completion.
• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., "Покупка дом" instead of "Покупка дома".
  Correct: "Покупка дома". Explanation: 'Дома' must be in genitive case to indicate possession or object of purchase.
• Error: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using 'продажа' when meaning 'purchase'.
  Correct: Stick to 'покупка'. Explanation: 'Продажа' means 'sale', the opposite concept.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, purchases often involve bargaining in markets (e.g., using 'покупка' in informal settings), reflecting a historical tradition from Soviet-era shortages. Online purchases have surged with modern tech, but cash payments remain prevalent, emphasizing community and trust in transactions.

Related Concepts:

• магазин (magazin) - Store
• цена (tsena) - Price
• скидка (skidka) - Discount