Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seventeenth'

English Word: seventeenth

Key Russian Translations:

• семнадцатый /sʲɪmˈnadtsətɨj/ - [Formal, used in standard contexts like dates and lists]

Frequency: Medium (This ordinal number is commonly used in formal writing, dates, and historical contexts, but less frequently in everyday casual speech.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers familiar with numbers, as it follows basic Russian ordinal patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

семнадцатый: /sʲɪmˈnadtsətɨj/

Note on семнадцатый: The pronunciation involves a palatalized 's' sound (/sʲ/), which can be challenging for beginners. The stress falls on the third syllable, and the ending '-ый' softens in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Ordinal number indicating the seventeenth in a sequence (e.g., seventeenth day, seventeenth item).

Translation(s) & Context:

• семнадцатый - Used in formal and everyday contexts for ordering, such as dates, rankings, or lists (e.g., in historical events or scheduling).

Usage Examples:

• Это семнадцатый день января.

  This is the seventeenth day of January. (Demonstrates use in dates.)

• Он занял семнадцатое место в соревновании.

  He took the seventeenth place in the competition. (Shows use in rankings or competitions.)

• Семнадцатый век был эпохой великих открытий.

  The seventeenth century was an era of great discoveries. (Illustrates historical context.)

• В списке это семнадцатый пункт.

  In the list, this is the seventeenth item. (Example in everyday listing.)

• Её юбилей приходится на семнадцатое число.

  Her anniversary falls on the seventeenth. (Varied grammatical structure in scheduling.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Семнадцатый" is an adjective-like ordinal numeral in Russian, which declines based on gender, number, and case. It follows the pattern of most ordinal numbers derived from cardinals. Below is a table showing its inflections for masculine gender (as it's the default for ordinals); similar patterns apply to feminine and neuter with adjustments.

Note: For feminine forms, replace the ending with '-ая' (e.g., семнадцатая), and for neuter, '-ое' (e.g., семнадцатое). This is a regular pattern, but exceptions exist in irregular ordinals.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • семнадцатый вариант (a variant form, but essentially the same)
• Antonyms:
  • первый (first) - Indicates the opposite end of a sequence.
  • последний (last) - Used for the final item, contrasting with a specific ordinal like seventeenth.

Brief note: Synonyms are limited as ordinals are precise; antonyms focus on sequence opposites.

Related Phrases:

• семнадцатое число - The seventeenth (e.g., of the month); used in date references.
• семнадцатый век - The seventeenth century; common in historical discussions.
• занять семнадцатое место - To take the seventeenth place; in competitive contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "семнадцатый" directly corresponds to the English "seventeenth" as an ordinal numeral. It is typically used in formal contexts like dates, lists, or historical references. Always ensure agreement in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies (e.g., use feminine form with feminine nouns). For English learners, remember that Russian ordinals often require the genitive case in certain phrases, such as dates (e.g., "семнадцатого января"). If multiple translations exist, "семнадцатый" is the standard choice unless specifying variants.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the cardinal number "семнадцать" (nineteen) instead of the ordinal "семнадцатый". Correct: "семнадцатый" for ordering; Explanation: English speakers might confuse cardinals and ordinals, but in Russian, this changes the meaning entirely.

• Error: Incorrect case agreement, e.g., saying "в семнадцатый день" instead of "в семнадцатый день" (actually correct here, but often mismatched). Correct: "в семнадцатом веке"; Explanation: Learners forget to decline based on context, leading to grammatical errors in sentences.

• Error: Overusing in informal speech; Correct: Reserve for formal contexts; Explanation: In casual Russian, people might say "число семнадцать" instead, so avoid forcing ordinals where cardinals suffice.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, ordinals like "семнадцатый" are frequently used in historical contexts, such as referencing the 17th century (семнадцатый век), which was a period of significant reforms under Peter the Great. This reflects Russia's emphasis on historical chronology in education and literature, helping English users appreciate the cultural importance of precise dating in Russian discourse.

Related Concepts:

• восемнадцатый (eighteenth)
• шестнадцатый (sixteenth)
• первый (first)