Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'son'

English Word: son

Key Russian Translations:

• сын /sɨn/ - [Neutral, Common noun]

Frequency: High (This word is frequently used in everyday Russian conversation, especially in family-related contexts.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; it's a basic vocabulary item for learners new to Russian, with straightforward usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сын: /sɨn/

Note on сын: The "ы" sound is a distinct Russian vowel, similar to a short, centralized "i" sound. Be careful with the soft sign (ь) at the end, which affects pronunciation but isn't always emphasized in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A male child in relation to his parents.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сын - Used in general contexts to refer to a biological or adopted male offspring, in both formal and informal settings, such as family discussions or legal documents.

Usage Examples:

• Мой сын учится в университете. (My son is studying at university.)

  This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting family relationships in an everyday context.

• У него есть сын и две дочери. (He has a son and two daughters.)

  Here, "сын" is used in a list to describe family members, demonstrating its role in plural or comparative structures.

• Сын помог отцу в саду. (The son helped his father in the garden.)

  This illustrates "сын" in a narrative context, showing action and relationships in informal storytelling.

• Её единственный сын живёт за границей. (Her only son lives abroad.)

  This example uses "сын" with adjectives like "единственный" to add detail, common in descriptive or emotional contexts.

• Сын президента выступил на конференции. (The son of the president spoke at the conference.)

  Demonstrates "сын" in a formal or public context, emphasizing its neutrality across registers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сын" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian, which means it undergoes regular inflection based on case, number, and gender. It is invariant in the nominative singular form but changes in other cases. Below is a table outlining its declensions:

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used since "сын" typically refers to an individual, but they apply in contexts involving multiple sons.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ребенок (child, more general), отпрыск (offspring, formal or literary)
• Antonyms: дочь (daughter)

Explanation: "Ребенок" is a broader term and can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but it lacks the gender specificity of "сын". "Отпрыск" is more formal and often used in written or historical narratives.

Related Phrases:

• Мой сын (My son) - A simple possessive phrase used in introductions or family descriptions.
• Сын родной (Biological son) - Emphasizes a blood relation, often in contrast to adopted children.
• Похожий на сына (Similar to a son) - Used metaphorically in emotional or figurative contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "сын" directly corresponds to the English "son" and is used similarly in family contexts. However, always ensure correct case agreement with prepositions or verbs; for example, use the genitive "сына" after "у" (at, with). It's neutral in register but can carry emotional weight in cultural discussions. When multiple translations exist, choose "сын" for precise gender reference over broader terms like "ребенок".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сын" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я люблю сын" instead of "Я люблю сына" (I love my son).

  Correct: "Я люблю сына". Explanation: In Russian, the object of "любить" requires the accusative case, so "сын" changes to "сына". Learners often forget declensions due to English's lack of cases.

• Error: Confusing "сын" with "дочь" in gender-specific contexts, e.g., mistakenly using "сын" for a female child.

  Correct: Use "дочь" for daughters. Explanation: Russian is highly gendered, so accuracy in family terms prevents misunderstandings in conversation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "сын" often carries strong familial and patriarchal connotations, reflecting historical emphasis on male lineage in families. For instance, in literature like Tolstoy's works, sons symbolize continuity and inheritance, which can help English speakers appreciate the deeper social dynamics in Russian media and history.

Related Concepts:

• отец (father)
• мать (mother)
• дочь (daughter)
• семья (family)