Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'refrigerator'

English Word: refrigerator

Key Russian Translations:

• холодильник [xələˈdʲilʲnʲik] - [Informal, Common noun]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations and contexts related to household items.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic vocabulary item that new learners encounter early in their studies.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

холодильник: [xələˈdʲilʲnʲik]

Note on холодильник: The initial "х" is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the "ch" in Scottish "loch," which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A household appliance used for keeping food and drinks cold.

Translation(s) & Context:

• холодильник - Used in everyday contexts for domestic refrigerators, such as in homes or kitchens. Common in informal and formal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я положил молоко в холодильник, чтобы оно не испортилось.

  I put the milk in the refrigerator so it wouldn't spoil.

• В нашей кухне стоит большой холодильник с морозильной камерой.

  In our kitchen, there's a large refrigerator with a freezer compartment.

• Не забудь проверить, что в холодильнике есть свежие продукты.

  Don't forget to check if there are fresh products in the refrigerator.

• Холодильник в дачном доме часто ломается из-за перепадов напряжения.

  The refrigerator in the country house often breaks down due to voltage fluctuations.

• Мама всегда ставит овощи в нижний ящик холодильника.

  Mom always puts vegetables in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Холодильник" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular noun inflection patterns for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its basic forms:

Note: The plural forms are used when referring to multiple refrigerators. There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ледник (lednik) - An older or poetic term, often used in literary contexts for a cooling device, but less common in modern speech.
  • морозильник (morozil'nik) - Specifically for a freezer, which can sometimes overlap in context but is not exact.
• Antonyms:
  • печь (pech') - Refers to an oven or stove, implying heat rather than cooling.
  • грелка (grelka) - A heating pad, contrasting with cooling devices.

Related Phrases:

• Полка в холодильнике - Shelf in the refrigerator; Used to describe internal parts of a fridge in everyday organization contexts.
• Холодильник с морозилкой - Refrigerator with a freezer; Common phrase for combined appliances in shopping or home settings.
• Поставить в холодильник - To put in the refrigerator; A fixed expression for storing perishable items.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "холодильник" directly corresponds to the English "refrigerator" and is used in both formal and informal contexts, such as in recipes, household discussions, or technical descriptions. It is a neuter noun in terms of gender (wait, correction: actually masculine), so ensure proper adjective agreement in sentences (e.g., "большой холодильник" for "big refrigerator"). In Russian, it's common to use this word in imperative contexts, like instructions for food storage. When multiple translations exist, choose "холодильник" for general purposes, but opt for "морозильник" if emphasizing freezing capabilities.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking "холодильник" for "морозильник": English learners often confuse the two, thinking they mean the same thing. Error: Saying "морозильник" when referring to a standard fridge. Correct: Use "холодильник" for refrigeration without deep freezing. Explanation: "Морозильник" specifically means "freezer," so it changes the meaning entirely.
• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Error: "Я купил холодильник" (correct for nominative) vs. incorrectly saying "Я купил холодильник" in a prepositional phrase like "в холодильник" instead of "в холодильнике." Correct: Adjust for case, as in "Я положил еду в холодильник" (accusative) or "Еда в холодильнике" (prepositional). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which can trip up beginners from non-inflected languages like English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the refrigerator is a staple in most households, reflecting the importance of preserving food in a country with harsh winters and varying seasonal produce. Historically, during the Soviet era, refrigerators like the "ZIL" brand symbolized modernity and were a coveted household item, often featured in literature and films as a sign of comfort and stability.

Related Concepts:

• морозильник
• микроволновка
• кухонная техника