Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'telephone'

English Word: telephone

Key Russian Translations:

• телефон [tʲɪlʲɪˈfon] - [Formal, Common noun; Used in everyday contexts for a communication device]
• телефония [tʲɪlʲɪˈfonʲɪjə] - [Formal; Used in technical or abstract contexts referring to telephony systems]

Frequency: High (Very commonly used in modern Russian speech and writing)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; Straightforward for English speakers due to phonetic similarities, but requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

телефон: [tʲɪlʲɪˈfon]

Note on телефон: The stress falls on the second syllable ("fon"). Palatalization of the 't' sound is key, which can be challenging for beginners. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

телефония: [tʲɪlʲɪˈfonʲɪjə]

Note on телефония: This word has a softer ending due to the '-ия' suffix, common in abstract nouns. Stress is on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A device for voice communication over distances.

Translation(s) & Context:

• телефон - Used in general, everyday contexts for mobile or landline phones; Informal to formal settings.
• телефония - Refers to the technology or system of telephones; More formal, often in professional or technical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял телефон и позвонил другу.

  I took the phone and called my friend. (Demonstrates basic nominative use in a simple sentence.)

• Мой мобильный телефон разрядился во время важного разговора.

  My mobile phone ran out of battery during an important conversation. (Shows possessive and instrumental cases in a real-life scenario.)

• В России телефония развивалась быстро в 20 веке.

  In Russia, telephony developed quickly in the 20th century. (Illustrates the abstract use of телефония in historical context.)

• Она всегда отвечает по телефону с улыбкой.

  She always answers the phone with a smile. (Highlights prepositional use and cultural nuances in social interactions.)

• Современная телефония включает видеозвонки и мессенджеры.

  Modern telephony includes video calls and messengers. (Shows телефония in a technological context with plural implications.)

The technology or system of telecommunication.

Translation(s) & Context:

• телефония - Used in academic, business, or technical contexts; Formal and less common in casual speech.

Usage Examples:

• Телефония в сельских районах России улучшилась за последние годы.

  Telephony in rural areas of Russia has improved in recent years. (Demonstrates use in a geographical or developmental context.)

• Изучение телефонии требует знаний электроники.

  Studying telephony requires knowledge of electronics. (Illustrates genitive case in an educational setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "телефон" and "телефония" are nouns. "Телефон" is a masculine noun that follows the standard second declension pattern for inanimate objects. It has regular inflections based on case and number. "Телефония" is a feminine noun with inflections typical of abstract concepts.

Note: These are regular patterns. "Телефон" does not have irregular forms, making it beginner-friendly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мобильный телефон (mobile phone; more specific to cell phones), аппарат (device; informal slang for phone)
• Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms, as this is a concrete object, but conceptually: почта (mail; for non-telephonic communication)

Related Phrases:

• домашний телефон - Home phone; Refers to a landline used at home.
• мобильный телефон - Mobile phone; Common for cell phones in everyday use.
• звонить по телефону - To call on the phone; A fixed expression for making a call.

Usage Notes:

"Телефон" directly corresponds to the English "telephone" as a device, while "телефония" aligns more with "telephony" as a system. Use "телефон" in casual conversations, but opt for "телефония" in formal or technical contexts. Be mindful of Russian case endings; for example, in prepositional phrases like "на телефоне" (on the phone), the noun changes form. English speakers often confuse it with "телеграф" (telegraph), so clarify based on context. Multiple translations should be chosen based on specificity: use "мобильный телефон" for mobile devices.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "телефон" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я звоню телефон" instead of "Я звоню по телефону". Correct: The instrumental case is needed in some contexts. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, unlike English, so always check the sentence structure.

• Error: Confusing "телефон" with "телеграмма" (telegram). Correct: Use "телефон" for voice communication devices. Explanation: This mix-up stems from similar roots, but they refer to different technologies.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the telephone has historically symbolized connectivity in vast geographies. During the Soviet era, access to a "телефон" was a status symbol, and phrases like "звонить по междугороднему" (long-distance calling) reflect the challenges of communication in a large country. Today, mobile phones are ubiquitous, blending traditional and modern uses.

Related Concepts:

• мобильный
• интернет
• связь