Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'teens'

English Word: teens

Key Russian Translations:

• подростки [pɐdrɐsˈtʲkʲi] - [Plural, Formal/Informal, Commonly used in general contexts]
• тинейджеры [tʲɪˈnejdʒərɨ] - [Informal, Borrowed from English, Used in modern, youth-oriented contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in everyday conversations, media, and educational contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Requires understanding of noun declensions and age-related terminology. For 'тинейджеры', it may be easier for A2 learners due to its English influence, but 'подростки' aligns with B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подростки: [pɐdrɐsˈtʲkʲi]

тинейджеры: [tʲɪˈnejdʒərɨ]

Note on подростки: The stress is on the third syllable ('tʲkʲi'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's complex stress patterns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on тинейджеры: This is a loanword, so it's pronounced similarly to the English "teenagers," but with a Russian accent on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Young people between the ages of 13 and 19

Translation(s) & Context:

• подростки - Used in both formal and informal settings, such as educational or family discussions, to refer to teenagers as a group.
• тинейджеры - Often used in informal, contemporary contexts like social media or pop culture to emphasize a Western-influenced view of adolescence.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей школе много подростков, которые увлечены спортом.

  In our school, there are many teens who are passionate about sports.

• Мои тинейджеры часто проводят время в интернете.

  My teens often spend time on the internet.

• Подростки в этом районе собираются в парке по вечерам.

  Teens in this neighborhood gather in the park in the evenings.

• Эти тинейджеры предпочитают современную музыку классической.

  These teens prefer modern music over classical.

• Подростки должны получать больше внимания от родителей в переходный период.

  Teens need more attention from parents during their transitional phase.

Meaning 2: The period of adolescence (e.g., teenage years)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подростковый возраст - Used in formal contexts like psychology or education to describe the stage of life.
• тинейджерство - Informal, less common, for a more playful or modern take on teenage life.

Usage Examples:

• Подростковый возраст — это время для самоопределения.

  The teens (teenage years) are a time for self-discovery.

• Тинейджерство полное открытий и вызовов.

  Teens (being a teenager) is full of discoveries and challenges.

• В подростковом возрасте многие начинают интересоваться карьерой.

  During the teens, many start getting interested in careers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Подростки' is a plural noun in the masculine gender and follows the standard first declension pattern for Russian nouns. It is typically used in plural form and inflects based on case and number. 'Тинейджеры' is also plural and follows similar patterns but is less inflected due to its loanword status.

Note: These words do not change for gender in plural forms and are invariant in number when referring to the group as a whole.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Молодежь [mɐˈlodʲɪʐʲ] - More general for youth, often implying a broader age range.
  • Юношество [jʊˈnoʂɛstvə] - Formal, emphasizing early adulthood overlap.
• Antonyms:
  • Взрослые [vzroslye] - Adults, contrasting with the youthfulness of teens.
  • Дети [dʲetʲi] - Children, for those younger than teens.

Related Phrases:

• Подростковый возраст - Teenage years; Refers to the developmental stage of adolescence.
• Тинейджерская мода - Teen fashion; Common in discussions about youth culture.
• Проблемы подростков - Teen problems; Used in contexts like psychology or education.

Usage Notes:

'Подростки' is the most neutral and widely accepted translation for 'teens' in Russian, suitable for both formal and informal use, while 'тинейджеры' is better for casual, urban contexts influenced by Western culture. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like these decline based on case, so always adjust for grammar (e.g., use genitive for possession). If the context involves numbers or ages specifically, pair with numerals like '13-19 лет' for precision. Choose 'тинейджеры' when discussing pop culture to avoid sounding outdated.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'подростки' in singular form when referring to the group, e.g., saying "Этот подросток" for "these teens."
  Correct: Use the plural "Подростки" for groups. Explanation: Russian requires plural agreement for collective nouns, unlike English.

• Error: Mispronouncing 'подростки' by stressing the wrong syllable, leading to confusion with similar words.
  Correct: Stress on 'tʲkʲi'. Explanation: Incorrect stress can alter perceived meaning in Russian.

• Error: Directly translating 'teens' as 'тинейджер' without considering context, which might sound unnatural.
  Correct: Use 'тинейджеры' in plural for groups. Explanation: Russian loanwords often adapt to native grammar rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'teens' (подростки) often carries connotations of a challenging transitional period, influenced by historical emphasis on collective upbringing in Soviet times. Terms like 'тинейджеры' reflect modern globalization, highlighting youth subcultures that blend with Western influences, such as in music and fashion, which were suppressed during the USSR era.

Related Concepts:

• Молодежь
• Юность
• Подростковый кризис