Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'timer'

English Word: timer

Key Russian Translations:

• таймер /tajˈmɛr/ - [Informal, Technical, Used in modern contexts like devices or apps]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, everyday, and digital contexts, but less frequent in formal literature)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; as a borrowed word from English, it's straightforward for learners with basic vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

таймер: /tajˈmɛr/

Note on таймер: The stress is on the second syllable (/ˈmɛr/). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, where the 'r' sound can be softened or rolled depending on the speaker's regional accent, such as in Moscow vs. St. Petersburg dialects.

Audio: Play Pronunciation Audio [Here, insert an actual audio file link or embed a player for /tajˈmɛr/]

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A device or function that measures and controls time intervals (e.g., in cooking, sports, or electronics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• таймер - Used in informal and technical contexts for electronic timers, such as on a phone or oven; common in everyday Russian speech when referring to modern gadgets.

Usage Examples:

• Я установил таймер на 10 минут, чтобы не пережарить курицу. (Ya ustanovil taymer na 10 minut, chtoby ne perezhit' kuritsu.)

  I set the timer for 10 minutes so I wouldn't overcook the chicken.

• В приложении есть таймер для отслеживания времени тренировок. (V prilozhenii est' taymer dlya otslezhivaniya vremeni trenirovok.)

  The app has a timer for tracking workout time.

• Таймер на часах сработал, и мы начали игру. (Taymer na chasakh srabotal, i my nachali igru.)

  The timer on the clock went off, and we started the game.

• Не забудь включить таймер, чтобы кофе не остыл. (Ne zabud' vklyuchit' taymer, chtoby kofe ne ostyl.)

  Don't forget to turn on the timer so the coffee doesn't get cold.

• Таймер в смартфоне помогает мне управлять временем на работе. (Taymer v smartfone pomogaet mne upravlyat' vremenem na rabote.)

  The timer on my smartphone helps me manage my time at work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Таймер" is a masculine noun (masc. sg.) borrowed from English, and it follows the standard patterns of Russian third-declension nouns with some irregularities due to its foreign origin. It is often treated as indeclinable in informal use, but in more formal or literary contexts, it can inflect. Below is a basic inflection table:

Note: In casual speech, "таймер" is often left undeclined (e.g., "с таймер" instead of "с таймером"), especially among younger speakers or in technical contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • таймер - Basic term; no major synonyms, but sometimes interchangeable with "часы с будильником" (clock with alarm) in non-digital contexts.
  • будильник (budil'nik) - For alarm timers; differs as it's more specific to waking up.
• Antonyms:
  • остановка (ostanovka) - Meaning "stop" or "pause," as it contrasts with timing continuation.

Related Phrases:

• Установить таймер (Ustanovit' taymer) - To set a timer; used for programming devices, e.g., in cooking or timing events.
• Таймер с обратным отсчётом (Taymer s obratnym otschyotom) - Timer with countdown; common in apps or games, meaning a timer that counts down from a set time.
• Автоматический таймер (Avtomaticheskiy taymer) - Automatic timer; refers to devices that activate without manual input, with the connotation of convenience in daily life.

Usage Notes:

"Таймер" directly corresponds to the English "timer" as a borrowed word, making it easy for English speakers to adopt. It is most commonly used in informal and technical settings, such as with gadgets or apps, but avoid overusing it in formal writing where more descriptive phrases like "устройство для отсчета времени" might be preferred. When choosing between translations, stick with "таймер" for modern contexts; for older or mechanical timers, "будильник" could be a better fit. Grammatically, ensure correct declension based on sentence structure, as Russian requires case agreement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "таймер" without declension in formal contexts, e.g., saying "с таймер" instead of "с таймером". Correct: Always decline it properly in sentences requiring cases, as in "Я работаю с таймером" (I work with a timer). Explanation: This is a common mistake for English learners who treat it as indeclinable, but in Russian, proper inflection maintains grammatical accuracy.

• Error: Confusing "таймер" with "будильник", using it for alarm clocks. Correct: Use "таймер" for general timing devices and "будильник" for wake-up alarms. Explanation: While related, they are not interchangeable, as "будильник" implies an auditory alert, which "таймер" does not necessarily include.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, timers are increasingly prominent in daily life due to the influence of technology, especially in urban settings. The word "таймер" reflects Russia's adoption of Western innovations, often seen in contexts like fitness apps or kitchen gadgets. However, in traditional contexts, such as in rural areas, people might rely on natural timing methods, highlighting a cultural blend of old and new practices.

Related Concepts:

• часы (chasy) - Clock
• будильник (budil'nik) - Alarm clock
• отсчёт (otschyot) - Countdown