Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'silver'

English Word: silver

Key Russian Translations:

• серебро [sʲɪˈrʲebrə] - [Noun, Formal, Refers to the metal or element]
• серебряный [sʲɪˈrʲebrʲɪnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Describes something made of or colored like silver]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday contexts like jewelry, currency, and descriptions, but not as frequent as basic words like "water" or "house")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner) for "серебро" as a noun; B1 (Intermediate) for "серебряный" as an adjective, due to basic declensions and adjective agreements in Russian sentences

Pronunciation (Russian):

серебро: [sʲɪˈrʲebrə]

серебряный: [sʲɪˈrʲebrʲɪnɨj]

Note on серебро: The stress is on the second syllable ("rʲe"), and the palatalized "rʲ" can be tricky for English speakers; practice with native audio to master the soft consonants.

Note on серебряный: This adjective ends in a soft sign, affecting pronunciation; the "y" sound is subtle and varies slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun (the metal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• серебро - Used in scientific, economic, or everyday contexts referring to the chemical element, jewelry, or currency (e.g., in formal writing or discussions about precious metals).

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Это ожерелье сделано из чистого серебра.

  English: This necklace is made of pure silver.

• Русский: Серебро часто используется в ювелирных изделиях из-за своей прочности.

  English: Silver is often used in jewelry because of its durability.

• Русский: В древние времена серебро служило валютой в торговле.

  English: In ancient times, silver served as currency in trade.

• Русский: Цена на серебро выросла на бирже сегодня.

  English: The price of silver rose on the stock exchange today.

As an adjective (silver-colored or made of silver)

Translation(s) & Context:

• серебряный - Applied to objects, colors, or materials that resemble or are made from silver, often in descriptive or poetic language (e.g., in literature or everyday descriptions).

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Серебряный лунный свет освещал ночной лес.

  English: The silver moonlight illuminated the night forest.

• Русский: Она надела серебряное кольцо на свадьбу.

  English: She wore a silver ring for the wedding.

• Русский: Серебряный оттенок идеально подходит для зимней одежды.

  English: The silver shade is perfect for winter clothing.

• Русский: В музее выставлены серебряные монеты из 19 века.

  English: The museum displays silver coins from the 19th century.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "серебро" (neuter noun, 2nd declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is a neuter noun that changes based on case and number.

For "серебряный" (adjective), it agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case, following the standard short and long form patterns. It is not irregular but requires attention to endings:

• Masculine singular: серебряный
• Feminine singular: серебряная
• Neuter singular: серебряное
• Plural: серебряные (all genders)

Note: Both words do not have irregular inflections but must agree grammatically with surrounding words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Аргентум (argentum) - More scientific term for the chemical element.
  • Серебристый (for the color, as an adjective synonym to серебряный in some contexts) - Implies a silvery shine, often used in poetic language.
• Antonyms:
  • Золото (gold) - Opposite in value and appearance for the metal.
  • Тёмный (dark) - For the adjective, contrasting with the bright, metallic quality of silver.

Related Phrases:

• Серебряная медаль - A silver medal, often used in sports contexts to denote second place.
• Серебряный век - The Silver Age, referring to a period in Russian literature and culture (1890s-1910s).
• Из чистого серебра - Made of pure silver, a common phrase in jewelry descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Серебро" directly corresponds to the English noun "silver" when referring to the metal, but in Russian, it's important to use the correct case for grammatical agreement. For the adjective "серебряный," it must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case—unlike English adjectives, which remain unchanged. Use "серебро" in formal or scientific contexts, and "серебряный" for descriptive purposes. When choosing between translations, opt for "серебро" if the focus is on the substance, and "серебряный" for attributes. Be mindful of poetic or cultural uses, as in Russian literature.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "серебро" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел серебро" in a context requiring genitive like "Я видел кусок серебра" (correct: "Я видел кусок серебра").

Explanation: English speakers often forget case changes; always adjust based on the sentence structure. Incorrect: "Купить серебро" (in genitive context); Correct: "Купить серебро" only in nominative, but typically "Купить серебра" for "to buy silver (of it)".

• Mistake: Confusing "серебряный" with "серебристый," e.g., using "серебристый" for literal silver objects.

Explanation: "Серебристый" implies a shiny, silvery appearance (more figurative), while "серебряный" means made of silver; this can lead to imprecise descriptions in material contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, silver holds symbolic value, often associated with purity and protection in folklore. For instance, silver is used in traditional amulets against evil spirits, reflecting its historical role in Slavic mythology. The "Silver Age" of Russian poetry (early 20th century) also evokes themes of elegance and introspection, linking the metal to artistic expression.

Related Concepts:

• Золото (gold)
• Медь (copper)
• Серебристый (silvery, as a color concept)