Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rock'

English Word: rock

Key Russian Translations:

• камень [ˈkamʲɪnʲ] - [Formal, used for geological or literal rocks]
• рок [rok] - [Informal, specifically for rock music genre]

Frequency: High for 'камень' (commonly used in everyday language); Medium for 'рок' (more niche in music contexts)

Difficulty: A1 for 'камень' (basic vocabulary for beginners); B1 for 'рок' (intermediate, as it involves cultural or modern slang elements)

Pronunciation (Russian):

камень: [ˈkamʲɪnʲ]

Note on камень: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'ь' softens the preceding consonant, which is a common feature in Russian nouns.

Audio: Play audio for камень [Audio placeholder - insert actual audio file link here]

рок: [rok]

Note on рок: Pronounced with a hard 'r' sound; it's a loanword from English, so it retains a simple, uninflected form in most contexts.

Audio: Play audio for рок [Audio placeholder - insert actual audio file link here]

Meanings and Usage:

1. A solid mineral material or stone (noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• камень - Used in literal, geological, or metaphorical contexts, such as describing natural stones or rocks in nature.

Usage Examples:

• Я нашел камень на берегу реки.

  I found a rock on the riverbank. (Simple declarative sentence showing basic object usage.)

• Этот камень очень твердый и гладкий.

  This rock is very hard and smooth. (Descriptive sentence highlighting adjectives with the noun.)

• В горах много камней разных форм.

  There are many rocks of different shapes in the mountains. (Plural form in a geographical context.)

• Камень упал с утеса во время бури.

  The rock fell from the cliff during the storm. (Action-oriented sentence with verbs.)

• Дети собирают камни для коллекции.

  Children collect rocks for their collection. (Social or recreational context.)

2. Rock music genre (noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рок - Used in cultural or entertainment contexts, referring to the music style.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю слушать рок в выходные.

  I love listening to rock on weekends. (Leisure activity context.)

• Этот концерт рок-группы был незабываемым.

  This rock band concert was unforgettable. (Event description with compound nouns.)

• Рок стал популярным в 1960-х годах.

  Rock became popular in the 1960s. (Historical context.)

• Она играет на гитаре в рок-стиле.

  She plays guitar in a rock style. (Artistic or performance context.)

• Молодежь часто посещает рок-фестивали.

  Young people often attend rock festivals. (Social gathering context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'камень' (a masculine noun in Russian):

It follows the standard first declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Here is a table of its inflections:

For 'рок' (an indeclinable noun, often treated as masculine):

It does not change in most cases due to its status as a loanword; it remains 'рок' in singular and plural forms (e.g., рок in nominative, but can be used with particles for emphasis).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • валун (boulder; more specific to large rocks)
  • скала (cliff or large rock formation; implies size)
• Antonyms:
  • вода (water; as an opposite element in nature)

Related Phrases:

• каменный мост - A stone bridge; used in architectural or literal contexts to describe structures made of rocks.
• рок-н-ролл - Rock 'n' roll; a subgenre of rock music, often evoking 1950s cultural vibes.
• собирать камни - To collect rocks; a phrase for hobbies like geology or casual gathering.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'rock' translates to 'камень' when referring to a physical object, which is a straightforward correspondence in formal or everyday Russian. For the music genre, 'рок' is the direct borrowing and is preferred in informal settings like conversations about pop culture. Be mindful of context: 'камень' requires declension based on Russian case grammar, which can be tricky for beginners. When choosing between translations, opt for 'камень' in nature-related topics and 'рок' in entertainment discussions. Grammatically, 'рок' is invariant, making it easier for learners.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'камень' to mean rock music. Correct: This confuses the geological meaning with the musical one. Instead, use 'рок'. Example of error: "Я слушаю камень музыку" (incorrect). Correct: "Я слушаю рок музыку" – This mistake often stems from literal translations without considering context.

• Error: Forgetting to decline 'камень' in sentences. Correct: In Russian, nouns must agree with case; e.g., "Я вижу камень" (nominative) vs. "Я вижу камень" (accusative, same form here), but in genitive: "У меня нет камня". Learners might say "У меня нет камень", which is incorrect due to missing case ending.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'камень' (rock) often symbolizes strength and endurance, as seen in folklore and literature, such as in stories where stones represent unyielding nature. For 'рок', it reflects Western influences, particularly from the 1960s counterculture, and is tied to youth movements in Russia, like the rock festivals in Moscow, blending global and local identities.

Related Concepts:

• горы (mountains)
• минералы (minerals)
• музыка (music)