Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thanksgiving'

English Word: thanksgiving

Key Russian Translations:

• День Благодарения [ˈdʲenʲ blɐɡɐˈdarʲenʲɪjə] - [Proper noun, Formal, Used specifically for the American holiday]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, as it pertains to a specific American cultural event; it's more relevant in contexts involving international holidays or cultural discussions.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level per CEFR, as it involves understanding cultural references and proper noun usage; learners need basic knowledge of Russian holidays and grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

День Благодарения: [ˈdʲenʲ blɐɡɐˈdarʲenʲɪjə]

Note on День Благодарения: The stress falls on the first syllable of "День" and the third syllable of "Благодарения." Pay attention to the palatalized 'dʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in regional accents, but this IPA reflects standard Moscow pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The American holiday of Thanksgiving (a day of giving thanks, typically celebrated in the USA on the fourth Thursday of November)

Translation(s) & Context:

• День Благодарения - Used in formal and informal contexts to refer to the American Thanksgiving holiday, often in discussions about culture, history, or international events. It is not a native Russian holiday, so it's typically borrowed in educational or media contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В США отмечают День Благодарения в четвертый четверг ноября, собираясь с семьей за праздничным ужином.

  In the USA, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, with families gathering for a festive dinner.

• Дети в школе учат историю Дня Благодарения, чтобы понять его культурное значение.

  Children in school learn about the history of Thanksgiving to understand its cultural significance.

• В России День Благодарения не является официальным праздником, но некоторые люди отмечают его в американском стиле.

  In Russia, Thanksgiving is not an official holiday, but some people celebrate it in an American style.

• Традиции Дня Благодарения включают благодарность за урожай и семейные собрания.

  Thanksgiving traditions include giving thanks for the harvest and family gatherings.

• Во время Дня Благодарения американцы часто смотрят парады и футбольные матчи по телевизору.

  During Thanksgiving, Americans often watch parades and football games on TV.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"День Благодарения" is a noun phrase where "День" (day) is a masculine noun and "Благодарения" is in the genitive case, indicating possession or relation. It does not inflect regularly as a single word but follows standard Russian noun rules:

• For "День" (masculine, singular nominative): It changes by case and number. Example inflections:

  Case	Singular	Plural
  Nominative	День	Дни
  Genitive	Дня	Дней
  Dative	Дню	Дням
  Accusative	День	Дни
  Instrumental	Днем	Днями
  Prepositional	Дне	Днях

• "Благодарения" is derived from "благодарение" (thanksgiving or gratitude), which is a neuter noun. It remains relatively stable but can inflect: Nominative singular - Благодарение; Genitive singular - Благодарения (as used here).
• Overall, the phrase is invariant in most contexts but can be adjusted for grammatical agreement, e.g., "во время Дня Благодарения" (during Thanksgiving). It does not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Праздник Благодарения (Holiday of Thanksgiving) - More descriptive, used interchangeably in formal writing; emphasizes the festive aspect.
  • Американский День Благодарения (American Thanksgiving) - Specifies the cultural origin, often to distinguish from general gratitude expressions.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as this is a specific holiday term without direct opposites. However, contrasting concepts might include "траурный день" (day of mourning), though not a true antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Праздновать День Благодарения - To celebrate Thanksgiving; used in contexts of holiday events or cultural exchanges.
• Традиции Дня Благодарения - Traditions of Thanksgiving; refers to customs like turkey dinners or parades.
• Индейка на День Благодарения - Turkey on Thanksgiving; a common food-related phrase highlighting the holiday's culinary aspects.
• Благодарность в День Благодарения - Gratitude on Thanksgiving; emphasizes the core theme of thankfulness.

Usage Notes:

This Russian translation directly corresponds to the English "Thanksgiving" as a proper noun for the American holiday. It is typically used in formal contexts like educational materials, media, or international discussions, but rarely in everyday Russian speech since it's not a native holiday. Be mindful of cultural nuances: in Russia, expressions of general thanks might use "благодарность" instead. When choosing between translations, opt for "День Благодарения" for specificity. Grammatically, treat it as a fixed phrase with potential case adjustments for agreement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "День Благодарения" with general expressions of thanks, such as using it interchangeably with "спасибо" (thank you). Incorrect example: "Я говорю День Благодарения за помощь" (I say Thanksgiving for the help). Correct usage: "Я выражаю благодарность за помощь" (I express gratitude for the help). Explanation: "День Благодарения" specifically refers to the holiday, not everyday thanks; use "благодарность" for general contexts to avoid cultural misuse.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "День Благодарений" instead of "День Благодарения." Incorrect example: "Мы празднуем День Благодарений." Correct usage: "Мы празднуем День Благодарения." Explanation: The genitive form "Благодарения" is standard; misinflecting can make the phrase sound unnatural or erroneous.

Cultural Notes:

"День Благодарения" reflects the American tradition of giving thanks for the harvest, originating from early colonial history involving Native Americans and European settlers. In Russian culture, it is not widely observed, but awareness of it has grown due to globalization and media, often symbolizing family unity and abundance. This term highlights cultural exchange, reminding users that holidays like this carry historical connotations of colonialism and indigenous perspectives.

Related Concepts:

• Новый Год (New Year)
• Рождество (Christmas)
• День Победы (Victory Day)
• Благодарность (Gratitude)