Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Tokyo'

English Word: Tokyo

Key Russian Translations:

• Токио (/ˈto.kʲi.o/) - [Proper Noun, Geographical Name]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about travel, geography, or international affairs, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; As a proper noun, it is straightforward with minimal inflection, making it easy for new learners to recognize and use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Токио: /ˈto.kʲi.o/

Note on Токио: The stress is on the first syllable. The "кʲ" represents a palatalized 'k' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'k' in "cute" but sharper. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The capital city of Japan

Translation(s) & Context:

• Токио - Used in formal and informal contexts when referring to the city as a proper noun, often in geographical, travel, or cultural discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я посетил Токио в прошлом году и был поражен его небоскребами.

  I visited Tokyo last year and was amazed by its skyscrapers.

• Токио считается одним из самых оживленных городов мира.

  Tokyo is considered one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

• В Токио есть множество традиционных садов, таких как Императорский дворец.

  In Tokyo, there are many traditional gardens, such as the Imperial Palace.

• Если вы планируете поездку в Токио, обязательно попробуйте суши в местном ресторане.

  If you're planning a trip to Tokyo, be sure to try sushi at a local restaurant.

• Токио часто называют "городом будущего" из-за его передовых технологий.

  Tokyo is often called the "city of the future" due to its advanced technology.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

As a proper noun (geographical name), "Токио" is typically treated as a neuter noun in Russian and follows limited inflection patterns based on case. It does not change in the nominative case but can inflect in other cases for grammatical agreement. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: Foreign proper nouns like "Токио" are often invariant in modern Russian usage, especially in informal contexts, to preserve the original form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Японская столица (Yaponskaya stolitsa) - Less specific, used in formal or descriptive contexts to mean "Japanese capital."
• Antonyms: N/A (As a proper noun, it does not have direct antonyms, but contrasting terms might include other cities like Москва (Moskva) for "Moscow." )

Related Phrases:

• В Токио (V Tokiyo) - In Tokyo; Used in contexts describing location or events, e.g., for travel narratives.
• Токийский метрополитен (Tokiyskiy metropoliten) - Tokyo subway; Refers to the city's public transportation system.
• Путешествие в Токио (Puteshestvie v Tokiyo) - Trip to Tokyo; Common in tourism or planning discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "Токио" directly corresponds to the English "Tokyo" as a proper noun and is used without articles, similar to English. It is versatile across formal and informal settings but is most common in educational, travel, or news contexts. When discussing Tokyo in Russian, ensure it agrees with the sentence's case if inflected, though it often remains unchanged. For learners, choose "Токио" over descriptive phrases like "столица Японии" when specificity is needed, as it sounds more natural and precise.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as /to.ki.o/ without palatalization (e.g., saying "To-kee-o" instead of "To-kyo" with the softened 'k'). Correct: Use /ˈto.kʲi.o/ to reflect the Russian palatalized sound. Explanation: English speakers often overlook palatalization, which alters the vowel quality and can make the word sound unnatural to native ears.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as treating it as a fully variable noun (e.g., saying "Токиос" in plural, which is wrong). Correct: It is singular and rarely inflects; use "Токио" consistently. Explanation: Russian proper nouns don't follow regular pluralization, so avoid adding endings unless in specific poetic or archaic contexts.

Cultural Notes:

"Токио" represents not just a city but a symbol of modern Japanese culture, blending ancient traditions with cutting-edge technology. In Russian-speaking contexts, it's often associated with pop culture phenomena like anime and sushi, reflecting Russia's fascination with Japan. Historically, interest in Tokyo grew during the post-WWII era, symbolizing resilience and innovation.

Related Concepts:

• Япония (Yaponiya) - Japan
• Токио-2020 (Tokiyo-2020) - Referring to the 2020 Olympics hosted in Tokyo
• Осака (Osaka) - Another major Japanese city for comparison