Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tankard'

English Word: tankard

Key Russian Translations:

• кружка [ˈkruʐkə] - [Common noun, Informal, Used for everyday drinking vessels like mugs or tankards]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations about dining or beverages, but not as frequent as basic words like "вода" (water).)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; suitable for beginners as it involves basic noun forms, but understanding inflections requires some familiarity with Russian cases.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кружка: [ˈkruʐkə]

Note on кружка: The "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the "s" in "measure" in English. Stress is on the first syllable. Regional variations may soften the "р" in some dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A large drinking cup with a handle, often used for beer or ale.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кружка - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as describing household items or in casual conversations about drinking.

Usage Examples:

• Я наливаю пиво в свою кружку. (Ya nalivayu pivo v svoyu kruzhku.)

  I pour beer into my tankard.

• Эта старая кружка принадлежала моему деду. (Eta staraya kruzhka prinadlezhala moyemu dedu.)

  This old tankard belonged to my grandfather.

• В пабе подают пиво в больших кружках. (V pabe podavayut pivo v bol'shikh kruzhkakh.)

  In the pub, they serve beer in large tankards.

• Дети любят пить молоко из кружки с ручкой. (Deti lyublyat pit' moloko iz kruzhki s ruchkoy.)

  Children like to drink milk from a tankard with a handle.

• На фестивале раздают бесплатные кружки для пива. (Na festivale razdajut besplatnye kruzhki dlya piva.)

  At the festival, they hand out free tankards for beer.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кружка" is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns, changing based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: стакан [stakan] (glass, more general); бокал [bokal] (goblet, for formal contexts; differs by implying elegance rather than sturdiness).
• Antonyms: (Not directly applicable, as "tankard" is a specific object; however, a smaller vessel might contrast, e.g., чашка [chashka] for a teacup, implying delicacy.)

Related Phrases:

• Пить из кружки (Pit' iz kruzhki) - To drink from a tankard; commonly used in casual settings like pubs.
• Большая кружка пива (Bol'shaya kruzhka piva) - A large tankard of beer; a fixed phrase for ordering drinks.
• Кружка с крышкой (Kruzhka s kryshkoy) - Tankard with a lid; refers to traditional designs, often with cultural connotations.

Usage Notes:

"Кружка" directly corresponds to "tankard" in English when referring to a sturdy, handled drinking vessel, but it can also mean a simple mug in broader contexts. It is most common in informal or everyday Russian speech. Be mindful of gender (feminine) when using in sentences, as it affects adjective agreement (e.g., "большая кружка" for "big tankard"). If the context is formal, consider "бокал" instead. Learners should practice inflections to avoid errors in prepositional phrases.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кружка" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу кружка" instead of "Я вижу кружку" (Accusative for direct object).
  Correct: "Я вижу кружку." (I see the tankard.) Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; nominative is for subjects, accusative for direct objects.
• Error: Confusing with "чашка" (teacup), leading to misuse in beverage contexts, e.g., "Пиво в чашке" instead of "Пиво в кружке."
  Correct: "Пиво в кружке." Explanation: "Чашка" implies something smaller and for hot drinks, while "кружка" suits larger, cold beverages like beer.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "кружка" often evokes images of traditional tea-drinking or beer festivals, such as those in Moscow or at events like Maslenitsa. Historically, tankard-like vessels were used in rural settings for communal drinking, symbolizing hospitality and warmth in social gatherings.

Related Concepts:

• стакан (stakan) - General drinking glass
• бокал (bokal) - Wine or goblet
• чашка (chashka) - Teacup or small cup