Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sleep'

English Word: sleep

Key Russian Translations:

• Сон [sɔn] - [Noun, General use]
• Спать [ˈspatʲ] - [Verb, Informal/Formal]

Frequency: High (These words are among the most commonly used in everyday Russian conversation and writing.)

Difficulty: For "Сон" - A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun); For "Спать" - A1 (Beginner level, straightforward verb conjugation for basic tenses)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Сон: [sɔn]

Note on Сон: The 'о' is pronounced as a mid-back rounded vowel, similar to the 'o' in "song" in English. Stress is on the first syllable.

Спать: [ˈspatʲ]

Note on Спать: The 'ь' at the end indicates palatalization of the 't', which softens the sound. Stress is on the first syllable. Common for verbs, so practice the 'a' sound as in "father."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun: The state of rest in which a person is unconscious and typically dreaming.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сон - Used in general contexts for describing the act or state of sleeping, such as in daily routines or health discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я нуждаюсь в хорошем сне после долгого дня.

  I need a good sleep after a long day. (This example shows "сон" in a nominative case, emphasizing necessity in everyday conversation.)

• Его сон был прерван громким шумом.

  His sleep was interrupted by a loud noise. (Illustrates "сон" in a genitive case, common in narratives.)

• Сон — это важная часть здоровья.

  Sleep is an important part of health. (Demonstrates "сон" as a subject in a general statement.)

• Дети часто имеют беспокойный сон.

  Children often have restless sleep. (Shows "сон" with adjectives in descriptive contexts.)

As a verb: The action of being in a state of sleep or going to sleep.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Спать - Used for actions related to sleeping, applicable in informal chats, instructions, or stories; can be conjugated for different subjects and tenses.

Usage Examples:

• Я сплю восемь часов каждую ночь.

  I sleep eight hours every night. (This uses the present tense to describe a habit.)

• Она будет спать до утра.

  She will sleep until morning. (Future tense example, showing future plans.)

• Мы спали в палатке во время похода.

  We slept in a tent during the hike. (Past tense, illustrating an experience in a specific context.)

• Не спи на уроке!

  Don't sleep in class! (Imperative form, used for commands or warnings.)

• Он любит спать с открытым окном.

  He likes to sleep with the window open. (Infinitive form in a subordinate clause, showing preferences.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "Сон" (noun, masculine, 3rd declension):

This noun follows standard masculine noun patterns with inflections based on case and number. It is regular but changes in various grammatical contexts.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	Сон	Сны
Genitive	Сна	Снов
Dative	Сну	Снам
Accusative	Сон	Сны
Instrumental	Сном	Снами
Prepositional	Сне	Снах

For "Спать" (verb, imperfective):

This is a first-conjugation verb with regular inflections. It changes based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a basic present tense conjugation table:

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	Сплю (I sleep)	Спим (We sleep)
2nd	Спишь (You sleep, informal)	Спите (You sleep, plural/formal)
3rd	Спит (He/She/It sleeps)	Спят (They sleep)

Note: "Спать" is imperfective; its perfective counterpart is "Выспаться" for specific completion of sleeping.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• Дремота (for light sleep or drowsiness)
• Отдых (more general, meaning rest, but can imply sleep in contexts)

Antonyms:

• Бодрствование (wakefulness)
• Беспокойство (restlessness, implying the opposite of peaceful sleep)

Note: "Дремота" is often used for shorter naps and has a slightly more poetic connotation.

Related Phrases:

• Хорошо спать - A common phrase meaning "to sleep well," often used in health or daily advice contexts.
• Лечь спать - Meaning "to go to bed," used for routines before sleeping.
• Сон как убитый - An idiomatic expression meaning "to sleep like a log," implying very deep sleep.

Usage Notes:

"Сон" directly corresponds to the English noun "sleep" as a state, while "Спать" matches the verb form. In Russian, always consider the context: use "Сон" for abstract or nominal references (e.g., in medical discussions), and "Спать" for actions. Be mindful of formality—Russian verbs like "Спать" conjugate based on subject, and it's common in both spoken and written language. If multiple translations apply, choose based on whether you're describing a state or an action; for beginners, start with simple present tense conjugations.

• Grammar tip: "Спать" requires agreement with the subject in person and number.
• Contextual use: In polite or formal settings, pair with time expressions like "Я обычно сплю ночью" (I usually sleep at night).

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing the noun "Сон" with the verb "Спать" and using them interchangeably without proper conjugation. For example, English learners might say "Я сон" instead of "Я сплю," which is incorrect because "Сон" is a noun and can't directly replace the verb. Correct usage: Incorrect: "Я сон сейчас" (wrong, as it implies "I am sleep now"). Correct: "Я сплю сейчас" (I am sleeping now). Another error is forgetting inflections, like using "Сон" in the wrong case, e.g., "Без сон" instead of "Без сна" (Without sleep), where genitive is required.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sleep and rest are highly valued, often linked to the concept of "отдых" (rest), reflecting historical influences from long winters and rural lifestyles. Phrases like "Спать как убитый" emphasize deep, restorative sleep, which ties into cultural stories and proverbs about health and endurance. Understanding this can help English speakers appreciate why Russians might prioritize sleep in daily conversations.

Related Concepts:

• Сновидения (dreams)
• Усталость (fatigue)
• Отдых (rest)