Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sister'

English Word: sister

Key Russian Translations:

• сестра [ˈsʲes.trə] - [Informal, Singular]
• сестрица [ˈsʲes.trʲɪ.tsə] - [Formal or Affectionate, Archaic or Dialectal]

Frequency: High - This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, especially in family-related contexts.

Difficulty: A1 - Suitable for beginners, as it involves basic vocabulary and straightforward grammar.

Pronunciation (Russian):

сестра: [ˈsʲes.trə]

сестрица: [ˈsʲes.trʲɪ.tsə]

Note on сестра: The initial 'с' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 's' in "measure." Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A female sibling

Translation(s) & Context:

• сестра - Used in casual, everyday contexts to refer to a biological or close female sibling in family discussions or informal settings.
• сестрица - Employed in more poetic, affectionate, or traditional contexts, such as literature or when addressing a sister with endearment.

Usage Examples:

• Моя сестра живёт в Москве. (My sister lives in Moscow.)

  Translation: This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its use in stating family facts.

• У меня две сестры: одна в школе, а другая работает. (I have two sisters: one is in school, and the other works.)

  Translation: Demonstrates plural usage and integration into a compound sentence, common in biographical contexts.

• Сестра всегда помогает мне с домашними делами. (My sister always helps me with household chores.)

  Translation: Illustrates the word in a sentence involving daily routines, emphasizing relational dynamics.

• Дорогая сестрица, поздравляю с днём рождения! (Dear sister, happy birthday!)

  Translation: Shows the affectionate variant in a celebratory context, often in written or formal greetings.

• В детстве мы с сестрой играли в парке каждый день. (In childhood, my sister and I played in the park every day.)

  Translation: Used in narrative contexts to describe past experiences, incorporating temporal elements.

Secondary Meaning: Extended or metaphorical use (e.g., in religious or professional contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сестра - Can refer to a nun in religious settings or a nurse in medical contexts, as in "sister" in English nursing terminology.

Usage Examples:

• Монахиня, или сестра, молится в монастыре. (The nun, or sister, prays in the monastery.)

  Translation: Highlights the religious connotation, showing how the word adapts to metaphorical family roles.

• Сестра в больнице ухаживает за пациентами. (The sister in the hospital takes care of patients.)

  Translation: Demonstrates professional usage, common in healthcare discussions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сестра" is a feminine noun of the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. "Сестрица" is less common and also follows first declension but is often invariant in modern usage.

For "сестрица," it is less inflected and often remains unchanged in informal or archaic contexts, making it invariant in some dialects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сестричка (more diminutive, affectionate form, often for younger sisters)
  • родная (meaning "blood relative sister," emphasizing familial bond)
• Antonyms:
  • брат (brother)
  • отец (father, as a contrasting family member)

Related Phrases:

• Моя сестра - моя лучшая подруга (My sister is my best friend) - A common expression highlighting close sibling relationships.
• Сёстры по крови (Sisters by blood) - Refers to biological sisters, emphasizing familial ties.
• Старшая сестра (Older sister) - Used to specify age hierarchy in family contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "сестра" directly corresponds to the English "sister" in most contexts, but choose "сестрица" for a more formal or literary tone to convey affection or tradition. Be mindful of gender agreement, as Russian nouns must align with adjectives and verbs (e.g., always feminine). In professional settings like medicine, "сестра" is standard for "nurse," which may not directly imply family. Avoid overusing diminutives like "сестричка" in formal writing, as they can sound overly casual.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сестра" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я люблю сестра" instead of "Я люблю сестру" (Accusative case required after "любить").

  Correct: Я люблю сестру. Explanation: Russian verbs govern specific cases; here, the direct object needs Accusative.

• Error: Confusing with masculine forms, e.g., using "брат" (brother) mistakenly for "sister."

  Correct: Use "сестра" for females. Explanation: Gender must match the referent; this is a common mix-up for English learners unfamiliar with Russian's grammatical gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "сестра" often carries strong emotional weight, symbolizing loyalty and support, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. Family bonds are highly valued, and referring to a sister can evoke themes of unity, especially in historical contexts like the Soviet era, where familial resilience was a common narrative.

Related Concepts:

• мама (mother)
• брат (brother)
• семья (family)