Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seventeen'

English Word: seventeen

Key Russian Translations:

• семнадцать /sʲɪmˈnadʲtsətʲ/ - [Formal; used in standard contexts]

Frequency: High - The word is commonly used in everyday conversations, such as telling time, ages, or quantities.

Difficulty: A1 - Suitable for beginners, as basic numbers are among the first elements learned in Russian.

Pronunciation (Russian):

семнадцать: /sʲɪmˈnadʲtsətʲ/

Note on семнадцать: The initial 'с' is palatalized (pronounced with the tongue touching the palate), which is a common feature in Russian. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations may occur in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The number 17 (cardinal number)

Translation(s) & Context:

• семнадцать - Used in formal and informal contexts to denote the quantity seventeen, such as in counting, ages, or dates.

Usage Examples:

• У меня семнадцать яблок. (U menya semnadtsat' yablok.)

  I have seventeen apples. (This example shows the word in a simple possessive context, demonstrating basic noun usage.)

• Ей семнадцать лет. (Ey semnadtsat' let.)

  She is seventeen years old. (Here, it is used with the word for "years" to indicate age, a common everyday application.)

• В доме семнадцать комнат. (V dome semnadtsat' komnat.)

  There are seventeen rooms in the house. (This illustrates its use in describing quantities in descriptive sentences.)

• Семнадцать человек пришли на встречу. (Semnadtsat' chelovek prishli na vstrechu.)

  Seventeen people came to the meeting. (Demonstrates plural agreement and use in social or event contexts.)

• Я купил семнадцать книг в магазине. (Ya kupil semnadtsat' knig v magazine.)

  I bought seventeen books in the store. (Shows the word in a transactional context, varying sentence structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Cardinal numbers like "семнадцать" are invariant and do not change form based on gender, case, or number in Russian. However, when used with nouns, the nouns themselves must agree in case and number. For example:

Note: This invariability makes it straightforward for learners, unlike more complex inflections in nouns or verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None directly applicable, as "семнадцать" is a specific cardinal number. However, related terms include "семнадцать тысяч" (for larger quantities like seventeen thousand), which extends the concept.
• Antonyms: Not applicable for numbers, but conceptually, one might consider "шестнадцать" (shestnadtsat' - sixteen) or "восемнадцать" (vosemnadtsat' - eighteen) as preceding or following numbers.

Related Phrases:

• Семнадцать на часах (Semnadtsat' na chasakh) - "It's seventeen o'clock" (Used in 24-hour time format, common in formal or military contexts).
• Семнадцать градусов мороза (Semnadtsat' gradusov moroza) - "Seventeen degrees of frost" (Refers to temperature, highlighting weather-related usage).
• Семнадцать раз (Semnadtsat' raz) - "Seventeen times" (In expressions of repetition, e.g., in math or storytelling).

Usage Notes:

"Семнадцать" directly corresponds to the English "seventeen" as a cardinal number and is used universally in Russian for counting, ages, and quantities. It is neutral in terms of formality and can appear in both spoken and written language. When combined with nouns, ensure the noun agrees in case; for example, use genitive for quantities. If multiple translations exist (though not in this case), choose based on context—here, it's straightforward. Beginners should practice with simple sentences to master its pronunciation and placement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing it with ordinal forms, e.g., saying "семнадцатый" (semnadtsatyi) when meaning "seventeen" instead of "the seventeenth." Correct: Use "семнадцать" for cardinal numbers only. Explanation: Russian distinguishes between cardinal (quantity) and ordinal (position) numbers, so context is key.

• Error: Incorrect stress or pronunciation, such as stressing the first syllable. Correct: Always stress the second syllable, as in /sʲɪmˈnadʲtsətʲ/. Explanation: This can make the word harder to understand for native speakers if mispronounced.

• Error: Forgetting noun agreement, e.g., saying "семнадцать яблоков" instead of "семнадцать яблок." Correct: Nouns after numbers like this should be in genitive plural. Explanation: This is a common grammar slip for English speakers, who don't have similar rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, numbers like "семнадцать" often appear in folklore, literature, or historical contexts, such as in fairy tales or references to the Russian Revolution (e.g., events in 1917). While not inherently symbolic, numbers can carry subtle connotations in poetry or proverbs, emphasizing precision in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• шестнадцать (shestnadtsat' - sixteen)
• восемнадцать (vosemnadtsat' - eighteen)
• двадцать (dvadtsat' - twenty)