Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sherry'

English Word: sherry

Key Russian Translations:

• шерри /ˈʃɛrʲi/ - [Formal, used in modern contexts for the fortified wine]
• херес /ˈxʲerʲɪs/ - [Formal, traditional term derived from the Spanish origin, often used in historical or wine-specific discussions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about beverages, dining, or wine culture, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; as borrowed words from English or Spanish, they require familiarity with Russian phonetics and vocabulary for wine, but are straightforward for learners at this CEFR level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шерри: /ˈʃɛrʲi/ (Note the soft 'р' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; emphasize the stress on the first syllable)

херес: /ˈxʲerʲɪs/ (The initial 'х' is a guttural sound like in Scottish 'loch'; stress on the first syllable)

Note on шерри: This word is often pronounced with a slight variation in informal speech, such as /ʃɛˈri/, but the standard is /ˈʃɛrʲi/. For херес, regional accents in Russia may soften the 'х' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A type of fortified wine originating from Spain, typically sweet or dry.

Translation(s) & Context:

• шерри - Used in contemporary, everyday contexts, such as ordering in a bar or discussing modern wine imports.
• херес - Preferred in formal, historical, or educational contexts, like wine tastings or literature on Spanish culture.

Usage Examples:

• Я предпочитаю пить шерри после ужина. (Ya predpočitayu pit' sherri posle uzhina.)

  I prefer to drink sherry after dinner. (This example shows the word in a casual, personal context, highlighting everyday consumption.)

• В магазине есть разные сорта хереса из Испании. (V magazine est' raznye sorta kheresa iz Ispanii.)

  In the store, there are different varieties of sherry from Spain. (This demonstrates the word in a shopping or descriptive context, emphasizing origin.)

• Этот ресторан славится своим шерри в десертных коктейлях. (Etot restoran slavitsya svoim sherri v dessertnykh kokteylakh.)

  This restaurant is famous for its sherry in dessert cocktails. (Here, it illustrates use in a culinary or hospitality setting, showing integration into Russian phrases.)

• Херес часто упоминается в русской литературе как символ европейской изысканности. (Kheres chasto upominayetsya v russkoy literature kak simvol evropeyskoy izyskannosti.)

  Sherry is often mentioned in Russian literature as a symbol of European sophistication. (This example places the word in a cultural or literary context, contrasting with modern usage.)

• Давайте нальем стакан шерри для тоста. (Davayte nalyem stakan sherri dlya tosta.)

  Let's pour a glass of sherry for the toast. (This shows the word in a social, celebratory scenario, demonstrating grammatical flexibility in sentences.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "шерри" and "херес" are borrowed nouns and function as neuter nouns in Russian. As foreign words, they are often indeclinable, meaning they do not change form in most cases. However, "херес" can follow standard neuter noun patterns in some contexts.

Note: "шерри" remains unchanged due to its status as a modern loanword, while "херес" shows regular neuter inflection patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мадера (madera - similar fortified wine), портвейн (portveyn - another type of fortified wine). Note: мадера is often used interchangeably in dessert contexts, while портвейн implies a sweeter profile.
• Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms, as this is a specific beverage term, but non-alcoholic alternatives like квас (kvas) could contrast in a sobriety context.

Related Phrases:

• Стакан шерри (Stakan sherri) - A glass of sherry; used in casual drinking scenarios.
• Херес с десертом (Kheres s dessertom) - Sherry with dessert; common in formal dining to enhance flavors.
• Импортный херес (Importnyy kheres) - Imported sherry; refers to high-quality varieties in trade discussions.
• Шерри на аперитив (Sherri na aperitiv) - Sherry as an aperitif; highlights its role in pre-meal rituals.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "шерри" directly mirrors the English "sherry" as a modern borrowing, making it ideal for informal or international contexts, while "херес" emphasizes its Spanish roots and is more common in educated or traditional settings. English speakers should note that these terms are gender-neutral and typically used in singular form unless specifying varieties. When choosing between translations, opt for "шерри" in everyday conversation and "херес" in wine connoisseurship to align with formality. Grammatically, always pair with appropriate prepositions, such as "пить шерри" (to drink sherry) for actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "шерри" with "вино" (vino, meaning general wine) and using it incorrectly in sentences. Incorrect: Я пью вино как шерри. (Ya p'yu vino kak sherri - This implies sherry is a type of wine, which is vague.) Correct: Я пью шерри, а не обычное вино. (Ya p'yu sherri, a ne obychnoe vino.) Explanation: Specify "шерри" as a distinct fortified wine to avoid dilution of meaning.
• Error: Mispronouncing "херес" by softening the 'х' sound to an English 'h'. Incorrect Pronunciation: /ˈhɛrɛs/ Correct: /ˈxʲerʲɪs/ Explanation: This guttural sound is essential for native-like pronunciation; practice with audio to master it.
• Error: Failing to decline "херес" in genitive contexts. Incorrect: стакан херес (stakan kheres) Correct: стакан хереса (stakan kheresa) Explanation: As a declinable noun, it must change in cases like genitive for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

"Шерри" and "херес" reflect Russia's historical fascination with European wines, particularly from Spain, introduced during the 19th-century nobility era. In Russian culture, sherry symbolizes sophistication and is often associated with literary works like those of Tolstoy, where it appears in scenes of high society. However, in contemporary Russia, it's more of a niche import, contrasting with traditional drinks like vodka, highlighting cultural exchanges.

Related Concepts:

• мадера (madera)
• портвейн (portveyn)
• вино (vino)
• аперитив (aperitiv)