Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sixteenth'

English Word: sixteenth

Key Russian Translations:

• шестнадцатый (/ʂɨsʲtʲnʲɐˈt͡sətɨj/) - [Formal, Ordinal number]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like dates, lists, and historical references, but not as frequent as basic numbers in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for learners as it follows basic ordinal number patterns in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шестнадцатый: /ʂɨsʲtʲnʲɐˈt͡sətɨj/ (The 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'sheep', and the stress is on the fourth syllable.)

Note on шестнадцатый: Be cautious with the consonant clusters; non-native speakers often mispronounce the 'стн' sequence, which should flow smoothly without pausing. Variations may occur in regional dialects, but standard Russian uses this form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The ordinal number for 16 (e.g., indicating position in a sequence, such as dates or rankings).

Translation(s) & Context:

• шестнадцатый - Used in formal and informal contexts for ordering numbers, such as in dates (e.g., the sixteenth of the month) or lists; common in both written and spoken Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Сегодня шестнадцатое число мая.

  Today is the sixteenth of May. (This example shows the word in a date context, demonstrating its use in everyday scheduling.)

• Это шестнадцатый том энциклопедии.

  This is the sixteenth volume of the encyclopedia. (Illustrates use in enumerating items in a series, common in academic or literary settings.)

• В конкурсе она заняла шестнадцатое место.

  In the competition, she took the sixteenth place. (Shows application in rankings or competitions, highlighting its role in descriptive narratives.)

• Шестнадцатый век был эпохой великих открытий.

  The sixteenth century was an era of great discoveries. (Demonstrates historical usage, often in educational or cultural discussions.)

• Прочитайте шестнадцатую главу книги.

  Read the sixteenth chapter of the book. (Exemplifies use in instructional contexts, like reading instructions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

шестнадцатый is an ordinal numeral adjective in Russian, which inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the general rules for adjectives but is derived from the cardinal number "шестнадцать" (sixteen). Here's a detailed table for its inflections:

Note: These inflections are regular for most ordinal numbers in Russian. For example, in plural forms, it remains unchanged across genders but adjusts for case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шестнадцатый (no direct synonyms, but related: шестнадцатый год – sixteenth year)
  • полтора десятка (informal for "about sixteen," but not exact)
• Antonyms:
  • первый (first)
  • последний (last)

Related Phrases:

• Шестнадцатое столетие – The sixteenth century (Used in historical discussions to refer to a specific era.)
• Шестнадцатая поправка – The sixteenth amendment (Common in legal or constitutional contexts.)
• Шестнадцатый этаж – The sixteenth floor (Typical in everyday navigation, like in buildings.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "шестнадцатый" directly corresponds to the English "sixteenth" as an ordinal number and must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For instance, use the feminine form "шестнадцатая" with feminine nouns like "страница" (page). It's versatile across formal and informal settings but is more common in written language for precision. When choosing between translations, stick to "шестнадцатый" for exact ordinal use; avoid casual equivalents in formal contexts to maintain accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the cardinal number "шестнадцать" instead of the ordinal "шестнадцатый" in sequences (e.g., saying "шестнадцать день" for "sixteenth day").

  Correct: "шестнадцатый день" – Explanation: Ordinal numbers indicate position, not quantity, so always use the -ый ending for proper grammar.

• Error: Failing to inflect correctly, such as using "шестнадцатый" with a feminine noun (e.g., "шестнадцатый книга" instead of "шестнадцатая книга").

  Correct: "шестнадцатая книга" – Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this is a common mistake for English speakers who don't adjust for case.

Cultural Notes:

The term "шестнадцатый" often appears in discussions of Russian history, such as the sixteenth century under Ivan the Terrible, which marked significant reforms and expansions in the Russian Empire. This era symbolizes a period of cultural and political transformation, helping learners understand why ordinal numbers like this are frequently used in educational and national narratives.

Related Concepts:

• пятнадцатый (fifteenth)
• семнадцатый (seventeenth)
• век (century)