Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tobacco'

English Word: tobacco

Key Russian Translations:

• таба́к [tɐˈbak] - [Formal, used in general contexts related to the plant or product]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about health, agriculture, and smoking, but not as frequent as everyday words like "water").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; suitable for learners who have basic vocabulary and can handle noun declensions, but may find inflections challenging initially).

Pronunciation (Russian):

таба́к: [tɐˈbak] (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'a' sounds like the 'a' in "father", and the 'k' is a hard stop.)

Note on таба́к: Be mindful of the stress; incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings. In fast speech, the 'т' might soften slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The plant or substance used for smoking, chewing, or in products like cigarettes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• таба́к - Used in formal and everyday contexts related to tobacco as a raw material, e.g., in agriculture or health discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я не курю табак, потому что это вредно для здоровья.

  I don't smoke tobacco because it's harmful to health.

• В этой стране выращивают высококачественный табак для экспорта.

  In this country, they grow high-quality tobacco for export.

• Табак в сигаретах содержит множество химических веществ.

  Tobacco in cigarettes contains many chemical substances.

• Он предпочитает трубочный табак, а не сигареты.

  He prefers pipe tobacco over cigarettes.

• Запрет на табак в общественных местах помог сократить курение.

  The ban on tobacco in public places has helped reduce smoking.

Figurative or extended meanings, e.g., in idiomatic expressions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• таба́к - Occasionally used metaphorically, though rare; for example, in phrases implying addiction or habit.

Usage Examples:

• Табак стал его слабостью, от которой он не может избавиться.

  Tobacco became his weakness that he can't get rid of.

• В этой культуре табак символизирует традиции, но и риски.

  In this culture, tobacco symbolizes traditions but also risks.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"таба́к" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сигаретный табак (cigarette tobacco) - More specific to processed forms.
  • тютюн (tyutyn) - Informal variant, often used in certain regions for raw tobacco.
• Antonyms:
  • безтабачный (beztobachnyy) - Non-tobacco, implying tobacco-free products.

Related Phrases:

• Курить табак - To smoke tobacco; used in health or personal habit contexts.
• Табачный дым - Tobacco smoke; refers to the fumes from burning tobacco, often in discussions about pollution.
• Выращивание табака - Growing tobacco; common in agricultural or economic talks.
• Запрет на табак - Ban on tobacco; related to public health policies.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "таба́к" directly corresponds to the English "tobacco" as a noun, but it's often used in formal or technical contexts. For everyday smoking references, phrases like "курить" (to smoke) are combined with it. Be aware of gender agreement in sentences, as it's masculine. When choosing between synonyms like "тютюн," opt for "таба́к" in standard Russian to avoid regionalisms. It's neutral in register but can carry negative connotations in health-related discussions.

• Grammar note: Always decline it according to case, e.g., "Я купил табак" (I bought tobacco) in accusative.
• Context tip: In informal speech, Russians might use it interchangeably with brand-specific terms, but stick to "таба́к" for general accuracy.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline "таба́к" properly. For example, a common mistake is saying "Я имею табак" instead of "Я имею табак" (correct, as it's accusative), but more frequently: Incorrect: "Я думаю о табак" (should be "Я думаю о табаке" in prepositional case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the preposition or verb governing the noun. Correct usage: "Я думаю о табаке" – This ensures grammatical accuracy and natural flow.

• Error: Using it without context, e.g., confusing it with "сигарета" (cigarette). Correct: Specify if needed, as "таба́к" refers to the substance, not the product.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tobacco has historical ties to trade and agriculture, particularly in regions like the Caucasus and southern Russia. It symbolizes tradition in some contexts, such as in pipe smoking among older generations, but it's increasingly viewed negatively due to anti-smoking campaigns. Understanding this can help learners grasp why phrases like "табачный дым" often evoke both nostalgia and health warnings in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• сигарета (cigarette)
• курево (smoking or tobacco products, informal)
• никотин (nicotine)