Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'supermarket'

English Word: supermarket

Key Russian Translations:

• супермаркет - /suˈpʲɛrmarkʲet/ - [Neutral, Commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is widely used in modern Russian, especially in urban areas for daily shopping discussions.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; as a borrowed word from English, it is straightforward for English speakers to learn and pronounce.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

супермаркет: /suˈpʲɛrmarkʲet/

Note on супермаркет: The stress is on the third syllable ("mar"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'p' sound (/pʲ/), which is common in Russian but may be challenging for non-native speakers. Variations in regional accents might soften the vowels slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Large self-service retail store selling groceries and household items

Translation(s) & Context:

• супермаркет - Used in neutral, everyday contexts for referring to a modern, large-scale grocery store, often in urban settings or when discussing shopping habits.

Usage Examples:

• Я хожу в супермаркет каждое воскресенье за продуктами.

  I go to the supermarket every Sunday for groceries.

• В супермаркете есть большой выбор свежих фруктов и овощей.

  In the supermarket, there is a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Мы решили купить подарки в супермаркете, чтобы сэкономить время.

  We decided to buy gifts at the supermarket to save time.

• Супермаркет на углу улицы всегда crowded по вечерам.

  The supermarket on the corner of the street is always crowded in the evenings.

• Если вы новичок в городе, начните с посещения местного супермаркета для ориентирования.

  If you're new to the city, start by visiting the local supermarket to get oriented.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Супермаркет" is a masculine noun in Russian and follows the standard second-declension pattern for borrowed words. It changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple supermarkets, and inflections are regular, making it easy for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гипермаркет - Similar to a hypermarket, often larger than a standard supermarket.
  • магазин - A general term for store, but less specific to large self-service formats; used in more informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • маленький магазин - Refers to a small shop, implying a contrast in size and variety.
  • рынок - A market or bazaar, which is more traditional and less structured than a supermarket.

Related Phrases:

• Идти в супермаркет - Go to the supermarket (Used for routine shopping trips; implies a purposeful visit for essentials).
• Супермаркет на колесах - Supermarket on wheels (Refers to mobile grocery services, common in rural areas; highlights convenience innovations).
• Дисконт в супермаркете - Discount at the supermarket (Context: Bargain hunting; often used in discussions about sales and promotions).

Usage Notes:

"Супермаркет" directly corresponds to the English "supermarket" as a borrowed term, making it an easy match for English speakers. It is neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, such as business discussions or casual conversations. Be mindful of its masculine gender in Russian sentences, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "большой супермаркет" for "big supermarket"). When choosing between synonyms like "магазин," opt for "супермаркет" if emphasizing a large, self-service format. In plural forms, it's ideal for talking about chains or multiple locations.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking the gender: English learners might treat it as neuter due to its ending, but it's masculine. Incorrect: "большая супермаркет" (wrong adjective agreement). Correct: "большой супермаркет." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case.
• Overusing in formal writing: Learners might use it excessively; instead, vary with synonyms like "гипермаркет" for precision. Incorrect: Repetitive use in essays. Correct: Alternate based on context to avoid redundancy.
• Pronunciation slips: Forgetting the palatalization, saying /suˈpɛrmarket/ instead of /suˈpʲɛrmarket/. Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural; practice with native audio to master the subtle 'pʲ' sound.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, supermarkets like Perekrestok or Magnit are ubiquitous in cities and represent modern consumerism, often featuring wide aisles, self-checkouts, and a mix of local and imported goods. They contrast with traditional markets, symbolizing urbanization and Western influence since the 1990s. This reflects broader cultural shifts towards convenience and globalized shopping habits.

Related Concepts:

• продуктовый магазин
• гипермаркет
• рынок