Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'souvenir'

English Word: souvenir

Key Russian Translations:

• сувенир [su.vʲɪˈnʲir] - [Neutral; commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium; "сувенир" is frequently encountered in travel, tourism, and gift-related discussions, but not in everyday casual conversations.

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate); As a borrowed word from French via English, it retains a similar form and is straightforward for learners, though proper pronunciation and inflection may require practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

сувенир: [su.vʲɪˈnʲir]

Note on сувенир: The stress is on the third syllable ("nʲir"), and the "вʲ" sound is a palatalized 'v', which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A keepsake or memento from a place or event, often purchased as a reminder of a trip or experience.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сувенир - Used in general contexts for items like postcards, keychains, or local crafts; neutral and applicable in both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил сувенир в Москве во время отпуска.

  I bought a souvenir in Moscow during my vacation. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing travel context.)

• Этот сувенир из Санкт-Петербурга напоминает мне о нашем путешествии.

  This souvenir from Saint Petersburg reminds me of our trip. (Illustrates the word in a reflective context, highlighting its emotional aspect.)

• В музее продают уникальные сувениры, сделанные местными мастерами.

  In the museum, they sell unique souvenirs made by local craftsmen. (Demonstrates usage in a commercial or cultural setting.)

• Она коллекционирует сувениры со всего мира.

  She collects souvenirs from all over the world. (Shows the word in the context of a hobby or collection.)

• Сувенир, который я привез, оказался очень полезным подарком.

  The souvenir that I brought turned out to be a very useful gift. (Exemplifies the word in a sentence involving gifting and utility.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сувенир" is a masculine noun (мужской род) that follows the standard patterns for second-declension nouns in Russian. It inflects based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural forms are used when referring to multiple items, and the noun does not have irregular changes, making it relatively predictable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • памятный подарок (pamyatnyy podarok) - A keepsake gift; often used interchangeably but implies a more sentimental value.
  • сувенирный предмет (suvenyrnyy predmet) - Souvenir item; more descriptive and formal, emphasizing the object's nature.
• Antonyms:
  • непамятный предмет (nepamyatnyy predmet) - Unmemorable item; not a direct antonym but conveys the opposite idea of something forgettable.

Related Phrases:

• туристический сувенир (touristicheskiy suvenyr) - A souvenir related to tourism; often refers to items bought during travels.
• сувенирный магазин (suvenyrnyy magazin) - Souvenir shop; a common phrase for stores selling such items, with contexts in shopping and travel.
• привезти сувенир (privesti suvenyr) - To bring a souvenir; used in narratives about returning from trips.

Usage Notes:

"Сувенир" directly corresponds to the English "souvenir" as a borrowed term, making it easy to remember, but ensure correct inflection based on Russian sentence structure. It is neutral in register and can be used in both formal (e.g., business travel reports) and informal contexts (e.g., casual conversations). When choosing between synonyms like "памятный подарок," opt for "сувенир" in modern, globalized settings; however, "памятный подарок" might better convey emotional depth. Pay attention to gender agreement in adjectives, as "сувенир" is masculine.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел сувенир" when it should be "Я видел сувенир" in accusative, but forgetting to adjust in other cases like genitive ("сувенира").

  Correct: "У меня есть сувенир от друга" (I have a souvenir from a friend). Incorrect: "У меня есть сувенир от друга" with wrong inflection. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must practice declensions to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized sounds, e.g., saying [su.ve.nir] instead of [su.vʲɪˈnʲir].

  Correct Pronunciation: [su.vʲɪˈnʲir]. Explanation: This can make the word harder to understand; listening to native speakers helps build accurate phonetics.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, souvenirs often symbolize national identity, such as matryoshka dolls or ushanka hats, which are popular exports. They play a key role in tourism, reflecting Russia's rich history and regional diversity. Exchanging souvenirs can strengthen social bonds, especially during festivals like Maslenitsa, where traditional items carry historical connotations.

Related Concepts:

• подарок (podarok) - Gift
• памятка (pamyatka) - Memento or reminder
• туристический (touristicheskiy) - Touristic