Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tariff'

English Word: tariff

Key Russian Translations:

• тариф [tɐˈrʲif] - [Formal, Used in economic, business, and official contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in business, trade, and economic discussions, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2, as it is a borrowed word with straightforward usage but requires understanding of economic contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тариф: [tɐˈrʲif]

Note on тариф: The stress is on the second syllable. Be careful with the soft 'р' sound, which is a palatalized 'r' common in Russian. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowel sounds slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A tax or duty on imports or exports

Translation(s) & Context:

• тариф - Used in formal economic or governmental contexts, such as international trade agreements or customs regulations.

Usage Examples:

• Тариф на импортные товары был повышен для защиты местного рынка.

  The tariff on imported goods was raised to protect the domestic market.

• Правительство ввело новые тарифы на экспорт нефти.

  The government introduced new tariffs on oil exports.

• Эти тарифы влияют на цену товаров в магазинах.

  These tariffs affect the price of goods in stores.

• Международные тарифы обсуждаются на саммитах.

  International tariffs are discussed at summits.

Meaning 2: A list of prices or rates for services (e.g., utilities, transportation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тариф - Used in service-oriented contexts, such as pricing for electricity, phone plans, or public transport.

Usage Examples:

• Какой тариф на электричество в вашем регионе?

  What is the tariff for electricity in your region?

• Гостиница предлагает разные тарифы в зависимости от сезона.

  The hotel offers different tariffs depending on the season.

• Тариф за проезд в метро увеличился на 10%.

  The tariff for subway travel has increased by 10%.

• Проверьте тарифы на мобильную связь перед подпиской.

  Check the tariffs for mobile services before subscribing.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "тариф" is a masculine noun in the second declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пошлина (poshlina) - Specifically for customs duties; more formal and precise in trade contexts.
  • ставка (stavka) - Refers to rates in a broader financial sense, often interchangeable in pricing discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • освобождение (osvobozhdenie) - Exemption, as in being free from tariffs.

Related Phrases:

• Импортный тариф (Import tariff) - Refers to taxes on incoming goods, commonly used in trade negotiations.
• Тарифная политика (Tariff policy) - Describes a government's strategy on tariffs, often in economic reforms.
• Повысить тариф (To raise the tariff) - Used in contexts of increasing prices or duties for protectionism.

Usage Notes:

"Тариф" directly corresponds to the English "tariff" in both meanings, but it's more commonly used in formal, professional settings like business, economics, or government. In everyday Russian, speakers might opt for simpler terms like "цена" (price) for non-technical contexts. When choosing between translations, use "тариф" for official documents or discussions involving taxes, and be mindful of its declensions to fit grammatical structures. It's neutral in terms of register but leans formal, so avoid it in casual conversations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "тариф" with "цена" (price), leading to incorrect usage in trade contexts. For example, a learner might say "Цена на импорт" instead of "Тариф на импорт" when discussing duties.

  Correct: Тариф на импортные товары (Tariff on imported goods). Explanation: "Тариф" specifically implies a tax or rate structure, while "цена" is more general for cost.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the word properly, e.g., using "тариф" in the genitive case as "тариф" instead of "тарифа".

  Correct: В тарифе (In the tariff). Explanation: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "тариф" often appears in discussions of international trade and economic policies, influenced by historical events like the Soviet era's state-controlled pricing. It carries connotations of government regulation, reflecting Russia's emphasis on protectionism in global markets, which can affect everyday life through fluctuating import costs.

Related Concepts:

• налог (nalog)
• импорт (import)
• экспорт (export)