Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sixteen'

English Word: sixteen

Key Russian Translations:

• шестнадцать /ʂɨsʲtʲnɐdʲt͡sʲ/ - [Formal, Used in general counting and everyday contexts]
• шестнацать /ʂɨsʲtʲnaʦʲ/ - [Informal variant, though less common; Used in casual speech or dialects]

Frequency: High (This word is a basic numeral used frequently in daily conversations, such as stating ages, quantities, or dates.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a fundamental number in Russian, easily learned early in language acquisition.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шестнадцать: /ʂɨsʲtʲnɐdʲt͡sʲ/

Note on шестнадцать: The initial 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in English 'she'. Be mindful of the soft 'т' which affects the preceding vowel. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

шестнацать: /ʂɨsʲtʲnaʦʲ/

Note on шестнацать: This is a less standard informal form; the 'ц' sound is like 'ts' in 'cats'. Use with caution as it may not be universally understood.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The number 16

Translation(s) & Context:

• шестнадцать - Used in formal and standard contexts for counting, ages, or quantities, such as in official documents or everyday speech.
• шестнацать - An informal or dialectical alternative, primarily in casual conversations or specific regions, but not recommended for formal use.

Usage Examples:

• Мне шестнадцать лет. (Mne shestnadtsat' let.)

  I am sixteen years old. (This example shows the word in a personal context, such as stating age in a biographical setting.)

• В классе шестнадцать учеников. (V klasse shestnadtsat' uchenikov.)

  There are sixteen students in the class. (Here, it demonstrates use in quantifying objects in an educational context.)

• Шестнадцать минут до поезда. (Shestnadtsat' minut do poyezda.)

  Sixteen minutes until the train. (This illustrates time-related usage in daily scheduling or travel scenarios.)

• Ей исполнилось шестнадцать на прошлой неделе. (Yey ispolnilos' shestnadtsat' na proshloy nedele.)

  She turned sixteen last week. (This example highlights the word in celebratory or milestone contexts, showing it with verbs like 'ispolnilos'.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word 'шестнадцать' is a cardinal numeral in Russian and follows standard patterns for numbers between 11 and 19, which are generally invariable in terms of case but can change slightly in context. It does not inflect for gender, case, or number like nouns do, but its usage can vary based on grammatical agreement in sentences.

Note: Unlike verbs or adjectives, numerals like this are mostly invariant, but they must align with the noun's grammatical case in phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шестнадцать - No direct synonyms, but related forms like 'шестнадцать штук' (for countable items).
  • Note: In some contexts, 'полтора десятка' (poltora desyatka) could be a poetic synonym meaning 'one and a half dozen', implying around 16, but it's not exact.
• Antonyms:
  • пятнадцать (pyatnadtsat') - fifteen (preceding number)
  • семнадцать (semnadtsat') - seventeen (following number)

Related Phrases:

• Шестнадцать лет - Sixteen years (Common in contexts like age or historical periods; refers to a duration of time.)
• Шестнадцать раз - Sixteen times (Used in repetitive actions or multiplication; e.g., in math or daily routines.)
• В шестнадцать часов - At sixteen o'clock (Military or 24-hour time format; equivalent to 4 PM.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'шестнадцать' directly corresponds to the English 'sixteen' as a cardinal number and is used similarly in counting, ages, and quantities. It is neutral in terms of formality but fits best in standard speech. When used with nouns, ensure the noun agrees in case; for example, use the genitive plural for quantities (e.g., 'шестнадцать книг'). If multiple translations exist, prefer 'шестнадцать' over informal variants like 'шестнацать' in formal writing. Be aware of cultural emphasis on exact numbers in Russian communication, especially in official or educational settings.

• Grammar tip: Unlike English, Russian numbers can influence verb agreement in sentences, so practice with full phrases.
• Context guidance: Choose based on audience; informal variants are rare and may confuse learners.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'шестнадцать' with similar-sounding numbers like 'пятнадцать' (fifteen) due to phonetic similarities. For example:

• Error: Saying 'пятнадцать лет' when meaning 'sixteen years' (I am fifteen years old instead of sixteen).
• Correct: 'Мне шестнадцать лет' (I am sixteen years old). Explanation: Pay attention to the initial consonant; 'ш' in 'шестнадцать' is distinct from 'п' in 'пятнадцать'.
• Another error: Incorrectly inflecting the number, e.g., treating it as a noun and adding unnecessary endings. Correct usage is invariant, so avoid forms like 'шестнадцатого' unless in specific cases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, turning sixteen ('исполнилось шестнадцать') is not a major milestone like in some Western traditions (e.g., sweet sixteen parties), but it marks the end of compulsory education for many. Numbers like sixteen often appear in folklore or literature, such as in fairy tales where exact counts symbolize completeness or magic, reflecting Russia's rich narrative heritage.

Related Concepts:

• пятнадцать (fifteen)
• семнадцать (seventeen)
• двадцать (twenty)