Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'treasury'

English Word: treasury

Key Russian Translations:

• казна /ˈkaznə/ - [Formal, Historical]
• казначейство /kəznɐˈt͡ɕɛjstvə/ - [Formal, Institutional, Used in official contexts]
• сокровищница /səkrɐˈvʲiʂnʲit͡sə/ - [Literary, Poetic, Informal when referring to a collection of valuables]

Frequency: Medium (Common in financial, historical, or governmental discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary; for "казна," it's straightforward, but "казначейство" may vary in complexity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

казна: /ˈkaznə/

Note on казна: The stress is on the first syllable; pronounce the "з" as a voiced "z" sound, which can be tricky for English speakers used to softer consonants.

казначейство: /kəznɐˈt͡ɕɛjstvə/

Note on казначейство: The "ч" is a palatalized "ch" sound, similar to "ch" in "church," and the word has a secondary stress on the suffix; common in formal speech.

сокровищница: /səkrɐˈvʲiʂnʲit͡sə/

Note on сокровищница: The "щ" is a voiceless palatal fricative, like "sh" in "sheep" but softer; this word is less frequently used and may have regional variations in stress.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A place or fund where money or valuables are stored, often referring to a national or state treasury

Translation(s) & Context:

• казна - Used in historical or formal contexts for state funds, especially in literature or official documents.
• казначейство - Refers to the institutional body or department managing finances, common in modern governmental settings.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Государственная казна была основным источником доходов в царской России.

  English translation: The state treasury was the primary source of income in tsarist Russia.

• Русский пример: Министерство финансов контролирует казначейство для обеспечения стабильности бюджета.

  English translation: The Ministry of Finance oversees the treasury to ensure budget stability.

• Русский пример: В музее есть сокровищница, полная древних артефактов.

  English translation: In the museum, there is a treasury full of ancient artifacts.

• Русский пример: Казначейство объявило о новых мерах по защите национальных фондов.

  English translation: The treasury announced new measures to protect national funds.

• Русский пример: Семейная сокровищница хранит воспоминания о предках.

  English translation: The family treasury holds memories of ancestors.

Meaning 2: Figurative use, such as a collection of valuable resources or knowledge

Translation(s) & Context:

• сокровищница - Often used metaphorically for a repository of knowledge or cultural heritage, in literary or educational contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Библиотека стала настоящей сокровищницей для исследователей.

  English translation: The library became a true treasury for researchers.

• Русский пример: Её знания о истории – это живая казна для студентов.

  English translation: Her knowledge of history is a living treasury for students.

• Русский пример: В интернете есть цифровая сокровищница редких текстов.

  English translation: On the internet, there is a digital treasury of rare texts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "казна" (feminine noun, first declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections based on case and number. "Казначейство" is a neuter noun with similar patterns, while "сокровищница" is also feminine and inflects regularly.

For "казначейство" and "сокровищница," similar declension applies, but they are less likely to be used in plural forms in standard contexts. These words do not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сокровищница (more poetic, emphasizes value)
  • фонд (neutral, for funds or reserves)
  • бюджет (modern, for state budget)
• Antonyms:
  • долг (debt, as it contrasts with stored wealth)
  • расход (expenditure, implying depletion)

Related Phrases:

• Государственная казна - Refers to the state treasury, used in official financial discussions.
• Национальное казначейство - Means national treasury, common in economic reports.
• Сокровищница знаний - A figurative phrase for a treasury of knowledge, often in educational contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Казна" directly corresponds to the historical or literal sense of "treasury" in English, but it's somewhat archaic in modern Russian; prefer "казначейство" for contemporary institutional references. Be mindful of formal contexts, as these words are rarely used in informal speech. For multiple translations, choose based on context: use "сокровищница" for metaphorical or cultural applications. Grammatically, ensure proper declension to match case requirements in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "казна" with "казино" (casino) due to similar spelling. Correct: Use "казна" for treasury and avoid the mix-up by focusing on context. Example of error: *Я работаю в казино* (I work in the casino) instead of *Я работаю в казне* (I work in the treasury). Explanation: This homophonic error can lead to humorous misunderstandings; always double-check pronunciation and meaning.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative "казна" in genitive contexts. Correct: In a sentence like "из казны" (from the treasury), ensure the genitive form is used. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "казна" evokes images of the tsarist era, where it represented the imperial wealth and was central to economic policies. It carries a sense of historical grandeur, often appearing in literature like Tolstoy's works, symbolizing national power and stability.

Related Concepts:

• бюджет (budget)
• финансы (finances)
• фонд (fund)