Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shilling'

English Word: shilling

Key Russian Translations:

• шиллинг (/ʂɨˈlʲlʲɪŋ/) - [Historical, Formal; Used in contexts referring to British currency history]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in modern Russian, primarily in historical, economic, or educational discussions about foreign currencies.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; As a loanword from English, it requires familiarity with Russian phonetics and historical contexts, but no complex grammar rules.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шиллинг: /ʂɨˈlʲlʲɪŋ/ (The "ш" sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, similar to the English "sh" in "shoe," but with a more rolled quality in Russian.)

Note on шиллинг: Be aware of the soft sign "лʲ" which indicates palatalization; this can be tricky for English speakers. Pronounce it with a slight softening of the "l" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A unit of currency in British history

Translation(s) & Context:

• шиллинг - Used in formal or historical discussions about pre-decimal British currency, often in academic, numismatic, or literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В старые времена в Великобритании шиллинг был основной монетой для повседневных покупок.

  In old times in the United Kingdom, the shilling was the main coin for everyday purchases.

• Мой дед рассказывал, что за шиллинг можно было купить хлеб и молоко в 1950-х годах.

  My grandfather told me that for a shilling, you could buy bread and milk in the 1950s.

• В музее выставлены старые монеты, включая шиллинг эдвардианской эпохи.

  In the museum, old coins are displayed, including the shilling from the Edwardian era.

• Шиллинг постепенно вышел из обращения после введения десятичной системы в 1971 году.

  The shilling gradually went out of circulation after the introduction of the decimal system in 1971.

• В исторических романах шиллинг часто упоминается как символ повседневной жизни викторианской эпохи.

  In historical novels, the shilling is often mentioned as a symbol of everyday life in the Victorian era.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Шиллинг" is a masculine noun (мужской род) in Russian, borrowed from English, and follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for words ending in a consonant. It is a third-declension noun with regular inflections. Below is a table of its forms:

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple coins, and inflections are regular without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пенни (penny) - Often used in similar historical contexts for smaller British coins, but refers to a different denomination.
  • фартинг (farthing) - Another outdated British coin, implying very low value.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "шиллинг" is a specific historical term. However, in economic contexts, it could contrast with modern currencies like "евро" (euro).

Related Phrases:

• Британский шиллинг - Refers to the British shilling specifically, often in historical or collectible contexts.
• Шиллинг эдвардианской эпохи - The shilling from the Edwardian era; used in discussions of numismatics or antiques.
• Монета в один шиллинг - A coin worth one shilling; common in stories about past economies.

Usage Notes:

This Russian translation "шиллинг" directly corresponds to the English "shilling" as a historical British currency unit, equivalent to 12 pence before decimalization. It is typically used in formal, academic, or nostalgic contexts rather than everyday conversation. English learners should note that Russian often requires the full phrase for clarity, such as "британский шиллинг" to specify the origin. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as it affects adjectives and verbs. When choosing between translations, "шиллинг" is the most precise for this term, but related words like "пенни" might be used for broader currency discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing "шиллинг" as /ʃɪˈlɪŋ/ (like the English version), ignoring Russian palatalization.
  Correct: Use /ʂɨˈlʲlʲɪŋ/ with the proper Russian "ш" sound and softened "л".
  Explanation: English speakers often overlook the retroflex quality, which can make the word sound unnatural to native Russian ears.

• Error: Using the word in plural without context, e.g., saying "шиллинг" when "шиллинги" is needed for multiple coins.
  Correct: "Я видел шиллинги в музее" (I saw shillings in the museum) instead of "Я видел шиллинг в музее."
  Explanation: Russian requires accurate case and number agreement, which can confuse learners from languages with less inflection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "шиллинг" evokes images of British imperial history, often appearing in literature, films, or educational materials about the UK. It symbolizes the pre-decimal era (before 1971), reflecting economic changes and nostalgia for the past. For Russians, it's less about daily use and more about understanding foreign histories, sometimes highlighting cultural differences in monetary systems.

Related Concepts:

• фунт стерлингов (pound sterling)
• пенни (penny)
• фартинг (farthing)
• евро (euro)