Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'telegram'

English Word: telegram

Key Russian Translations:

• телеграмма [tʲɪlʲɪˈɡramə] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in historical, official, or technological contexts, but less frequent in everyday modern conversation due to digital advancements).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to communication, but not overly complex for learners at this level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

телеграмма: [tʲɪlʲɪˈɡramə]

Note on телеграмма: The stress falls on the third syllable ("gra"), and the initial "т" is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian words of foreign origin. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A message sent by telegraph or a similar rapid communication system.

Translation(s) & Context:

• телеграмма - Used in formal or historical contexts to refer to a telegram as a written message, often in official communications or literature.

Usage Examples:

• Я получил телеграмму от друга в Европе.

  I received a telegram from a friend in Europe.

• В XIX веке телеграммы были основным средством быстрой связи.

  In the 19th century, telegrams were the primary means of rapid communication.

• Она отправила телеграмму с поздравлениями по поводу свадьбы.

  She sent a telegram with congratulations for the wedding.

• Телеграмма прибыла слишком поздно, чтобы изменить планы.

  The telegram arrived too late to change the plans.

• В музее есть коллекция старых телеграмм из времен войны.

  In the museum, there is a collection of old telegrams from wartime.

Meaning 2: In modern contexts, sometimes extended metaphorically to digital messages, though less common.

Translation(s) & Context:

• телеграмма - Informally used in nostalgic or literary contexts to describe quick digital messages, but this is rare and not standard.

Usage Examples:

• В наше время телеграмма – это как мгновенное сообщение в интернете.

  In our time, a telegram is like an instant message on the internet.

• Он шутил, называя свои SMS телеграммами.

  He joked about calling his SMS messages telegrams.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Телеграмма" is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard feminine noun patterns with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners to inflect once basic rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сообщение (soobshcheniye) - More general term for any message; differs by being broader and applicable to emails or texts.
  • депеша (depesha) - Used in official or diplomatic contexts; implies a more formal or urgent communication.
• Antonyms:
  • письмо (pismo) - Letter; slower, more personal form of communication.
  • устный разговор (ustny razgovor) - Verbal conversation; opposite in terms of being spoken rather than written.

Related Phrases:

• Отправить телеграмму (Otpravit' telegrammu) - To send a telegram; used in contexts involving urgent messages.
• Получить телеграмму (Poluchit' telegrammu) - To receive a telegram; common in historical narratives.
• Телеграмма срочная (Telegramma srochnaya) - Urgent telegram; implies immediacy in communication.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "телеграмма" directly corresponds to the English "telegram" in its historical sense, but it's less used today due to modern technology. Always consider the context: use it in formal or literary settings rather than casual speech. For example, if the English "telegram" refers to a digital app like Telegram, the Russian equivalent is "Телеграм" (as a proper noun). Learners should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, so pair it correctly with adjectives or verbs (e.g., "я получил телеграмму" for "I received the telegram"). When multiple translations exist, choose based on formality: "сообщение" for everyday use.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "телеграмма" interchangeably with digital messaging apps like WhatsApp, leading to confusion.

  Correct Usage: For apps, use "Телеграм" (as in the app name) instead. Incorrect: "Я отправил телеграмму в Телеграм." Correct: "Я отправил сообщение в Телеграм."

  Explanation: "Телеграмма" specifically means a historical telegram, not the app, which could mislead native speakers.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., using nominative in all cases.

  Correct Usage: In genitive, say "от телеграммы" instead of "от телеграмма." Incorrect: "Я говорил о телеграмма." Correct: "Я говорил о телеграмме."

  Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on sentence structure, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, telegrams hold historical significance, often associated with major events like World War II or the Soviet era, when they were a primary means of long-distance communication. They symbolize urgency and formality, appearing in literature by authors like Tolstoy. Today, they evoke nostalgia, reminding users of pre-digital times and the romance of old communication methods.

Related Concepts:

• почта (pochta) - Mail
• сообщение (soobshcheniye) - Message
• связь (svyaz') - Communication